Hello everyone!

I am very new to this Forum and need to get oriented.

I have lead a battle with my body since I was 8.
Now, a definite number of years later, and after having tried and read and studied and attended everything, I have found the golden middle path.
At least that's what I like to think.

I'm 60 pounds lighter and at a good weight. But that is all after years of trial and error, and I suffered immensly on many emotional and psychological levels. Leaving me in deep depressions throughout high school.
I was a size 18, alone, and sometimes suicidal.
The depression was not due to the weight, but it was through family stress, and having nowhere to vent, no friends, just ridicule, THAT was due to my weight.

The beautiful thing is that I have turned everything around, I have learned to deal, and to lose weight healthily.

I was happily walking through the city a few months ago when suddenly I saw a little girl, she seemed to be about 7. She had a belly worthy of a beer-a-holic and thighs with more celulite than her mother.
This is in no way meant to be mean, but sadly it is true.

At that moment I realized how naive I had been.
I remembered what it was like.
Everything, and how lucky I was to have found a way.
And then came the cruel realization that not everyone was going to be as lucky.
And then finaly the bitter sweet, strong urge to help.

I am not here to sell anything, but I have decided to start a program for children as a sort of 'personal assistent'. Supporting them through diet and excercise, as well as mentally and emotionally, on an online basis.

It's been both challenging, but also very rewarding.
And since it is still in it's baby shoes, the assistance is free.
If it grows very demanding I'd love to leave my routine day job for it and devote my full time to these children, maybe even open an office, at that point I would have to start charging a minimal amount just to keep myself afloat.

But for now, I am here, ready and hoping to help as many people as I can!

So if you, or anyone you know has a child who could use this support on their journey, have them or the parent write me at

ContactALittleHelp@yahoo.com


Also, I'd love to hear opinions and 'get to know' alot of you.

~Sissi

Welcome to the forum.

I've run a camp for a few years geared towards the education and exercise of children. It was quite successful, then I moved, and never had the chance to get one started in this area.

Best of luck to you. It's great being able to help children that are experiencing these problems.

The only thing I might add is, get someone on board who has experience and expertise in this field. Someone who understands the body and pathologies that may exist with the body. Preferably, this person will have experience working with a large spectrum of people.

You've come a long way in your journey, and that's fantastic. But there are a large array of people/children that you will encounter and not everyone is the same. Not everyone faces the same challenges.

The solution to weight loss is not cut and dry. Each "client" is unique.

Hey

Thank you very much!

I do realize that everyone is unique.
I have worked with only a few children so far, but everyone has had a very different story, different needs, and different successes.
I think the only thing I can do is to gather more experience.
But I am very open minded, and pretty good at recognizing where the child is at mentally, what they have learned about their bodies and nutrition, and what their major goals are and how to encourage them.

I'd love to get someone to help. I am also seeking further education for myself in this field. We will see what the journey brings.
Thanks for the advice.

Best of luck. I'd suggest, at the bare minimum obtaining some type of personal training certification. Preferably something such as the National Strength and Conditioning Association's certified personal trainer designation or certified strength and condition specialist. Equally good is the American College of Sports Medicine certs.

There is also a new cert for youth training. New, but highly regarded. Regretfully the organization is slipping my mind at the moment. When I think of it I'll let you know.

This will by no means "qualify" you to be an expert... but it will be a start.

I'd highly suggest going back to school too, but obviously that is a huge endeavor.

I look forward to hearing more from you.

Hi Sissi and Welcome,

Like you I have struggled with my weight since childhood and have had to deal with depression that is tangled up with the weight problems. Now, happily I have begin to sort it out and am making steady progress toward a better life all-around.

I'd like to hear a bit more about your own story, how you knew it was time to change for the better, how you went about it, how you worked through the depression and found healthier ways to cope with life than punishing your body. Stuff like that. I am specifically interested in how your life has changed since you were heavy and what challenges you face staying fit.

If you haven't already started a diary, please do! Thanks for joining up and I look forward to getting to know you too!

David C

Hey!

I thought that maybe we should talk a bit more in detail, but sadly I cannot write pms yet, and you have no alternate email adress.
If you feel like it you could contact me over mine.

contactalittlehelp@yahoo.com