Cleaning Up the Home Environment

One of the top reasons that children and teenagers gain the weight that they lost back after they arrive home from fitness camp is because they are back at home where they have access to junk food and video games. At most weight loss camps, kids eat very nutritiously and are only given junk food in moderation. They spend much of their time exercising outdoors or doing other productive activities that enrich their minds. Yet when they return home, all of their old favorite junk foods are readily available and they can play video games once again.

In order for children to keep the weight off after leaving weight loss camp, their home environment needs to be cleaned up. Junk food should not be kept in the house, or only small amounts should be. They can play their favorite video games and watch television, but only for a set amount of time per day that allows them plenty of time for exercise. If they are limited in their access to junk foods and sedentary activities, they will be less tempted to revert back to their old ways.

Joining Sports Teams or Gyms

Another reason that many kids and teenagers gain back the weight that they worked so hard to lose at summer camp when they return home is because they do not get the same level of activity at home. At summer fitness camps, they are constantly playing sports and doing other fun physical activities that help them to shed pounds and keep them off. At home, they have to find these kinds of physical sports so that they can stay active and slim. Most towns and cities of all sizes have various sports leagues for kids of all ages. Search online for teams your child can join, or ask around in the neighborhood. The YMCA is also a great resource and will provide children with a fun, safe place to go whenever they want to so that they can get the daily exercise that they need to keep the weight off for good.

Parents or caregivers have several ways of influencing the weight-loss success of their child or teen. Two important actions parents can take are:

1. Identifying and changing unhealthy behaviors–both by the parent and the child or teen. Keeping a daily log of behaviors helps you to be more accountable for what you do, and the need for change becomes clear. When parents work alongside teens and kids to change their diet and exercise habits, children are more likely to do the same.
2. Relying on positive reinforcement. Like all behavior changes, giving praise goes a long way in getting results. Positive reinforcement for behaviors should include non-monetary and non-food rewards like spending time together or a fun outing.

Parents’ behavior at home has a big influence on how kids tackle weight problems. Something else parents can do is consider sending their children to a summer weight loss camp to help kids begin to learn about good habits and jump-start their weight loss.