Encouraging an 11 year old

[LisaFiona]

Hi, I’m an energetic fit mum. My 11 year old son is overweight so we are doing the couch to 5k together. We’ve just completed our first run & he really struggled from the third run with stitch. I encouraged him a lot & we completed it but he’s very down hearted saying it’s too hard, he knows this is not an easy fix & he’s got to really put the effort in. I feel really bad that as a mum I’ve let it get to this stage. I have four other sons & he’s the only overweight one & doesn’t eat anymore than the others or too much unhealthy food. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I’ve looked for a children’s fitness forum but can’t find one.

[Happyrunningfeet Graduate]

Maybe try taking it slowly. He may have started too fast. U can seek advise from your GP. Maybe also look at a reward or treat for completing each week. Doing something he likes.

[Lindsey-joy Graduate]

Hi Lisa,

I have two sons, one who is 14 and built like a string bean and a 10 year old who is overweight. Like your son, he eats no more than the other one and i keep no junk food in the house. He has never been sporty although he has recently taken up squash which he loves. I also feel very guilty as he is very sensitive and I am worried he is going to be a prime candidate for being picked on when he goes to comp.

He walks miles with me and the dog but doesn't enjoy any sport that involves running. I have been doing couch to 5k for 6 weeks now and he has expressed an interest in using my treadmill. Turns out he loves competing with himself to improve distance and speed. No other kids to over shadow his success, just him 😁 I haven't started using the app with him just yet but we have been playing "do you think you can run to that blue car/lamp post/tree" while we have been out with the dogs and as long as he "wins" all is good. I saw a post on here earlier for a virtual event in June which you can get a medal for.....i will see if i can find it. I thought my lad might like that as it is done in your own time and at your own pace and I know he would love a medal! I am also signing up for a 2k family fun run in Cardiff in September and encouraging him to practice for that (neither of us are at that stage yet 🙈) again, the lure of a medal is tempting him. I hope this will both increase his fitness and hopefully help manage his weight and boost his confidence too.

I'm sorry I have nothing else constructive to add but i wanted you to know that you are not alone.

[LisaFiona in reply to Lindsey-joy]

Thank you so much for your reply, Great ideas for us to try. He doesn’t mind walking so we do lots of that. Now he’s cooled down & had a shower he’s feeling a lot more positive & knows what to expect next time! I really appreciate your reply & wish you both lots of luck too

[Lindsey-joy Graduate in reply to LisaFiona]

I have just done run 1 of week one with him now and i am pleased to report he managed. He did find it hard going towards the end but the look of pride on his face afterwards was priceless!

[LisaFiona in reply to Lindsey-joy]

That’s great! Now they know what to expect so hopefully it will get easier as the weeks go on. I really enjoyed it myself too!

[Lindsey-joy Graduate]

Found it!

It's called "Race at you pace"

healthunlocked.com/api/redi...

I haven't looked to far into it yet but plan to

[1234qwerty Graduate]

I’m doing this with my 11 year old daughter. She’s overweight and it’s very difficult for me to manage because she does a week with me and a week with her dad who has serious health issues. She started in week 1 running way too fast. Now she’s slowed down she’s feeling less down but is still struggling. We’re repeating each week to try and build her stamina before moving on. She’s determined to get fit so that kind of helps. I’m finding it helpful that I’m reasonably fit (although not a runner) so I can focus on her but I’m worried that by the longer runs I’ll be struggling too!

Good luck - I’m right there with you!

[LisaFiona in reply to 1234qwerty]

Thank you, it’s really great to know there are other people in the same position & we are all doing our best to make things better. I appreciate your reply so much & hope your daughter enjoys it too & gets to her goal

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done, both, on getting started.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5... and includes advice on pacing.......slow down and hydration.......drink more.

I hope he takes to it, because it could truly transform his life.

Enjoy your journey.

[LisaFiona in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you, I enjoy being fit but have never been a runner as such but would like to as it is something I like doing & I’m hoping my son will take to it too. I’ll read the link now, thank you

[2718281 Graduate]

Hi LisaFiona, I was an overweight kid who grew up to be an obese adult, which in turn resulted in very low self-esteem. I wish my parents had helped me address these issues and build a healthier relationship with food. I always felt different (eating the same food as the rest of the family, I used to play tennis and football, but all of them were thin), and I always felt I was disappointing them. I'm not saying this to make you feel bad, being a parent is incredibly difficult, but whatever you do, help your kids build their self confidence being close to them, I love Lindsey-joy ideas, making it fun and healthy at the same time Every kid is different and different things will motivate them, but be careful about the pressure and expectations put on them, it can be really hard to feel different

[LisaFiona in reply to 2718281]

Thanks for your reply, I’m overwhelmed with all the support we are getting after signing up so soon. It was my sons idea to try the C25K plan so I’m glad he wants to get motivated & change for a better future

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Hi LisaFiona, just to let you know, there are actual c25k Graduate badges that you can buy, about £6. Also Rfc is happy to provide a c25k Graduate certificate for youngsters that complete the program if you PM her with the details.

The badges can be bought here...

healthunlocked.com/api/redi...

Good luck to both of you with this brilliant program😊x

[LisaFiona in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thank you, the badges are a great idea x

[Beccym Graduate]

Having run with my niece and taken part in cross-country at school with the year 7 and 11s, it was amazing how year 11 boys run when they realise that they'll be beaten by their middle aged teacher, the younger ones do have a tendancy to go off too fast.

What about Junior Parkrun, they're on Sundays 2k each. Or full one kids get free t=shirt when they hit 10 runs.

The race at your pace medals are great I have them as a reward for myself. Maybe start with a walking one. You get a certificate too.

[LisaFiona in reply to Beccym]

Thank you, I have seen parkrun signs when we go to the park but didn’t know it was weekly so this is something I will look into.

[backintime Graduate]

Hi

I have 3 children too, my youngest does have a tendency to put on a bit of weight now he's 13, he never did before, so we are educating ourselves on calories (choosing the best cereal based on calories out of the ones he likes, rather than stopping eating cereal etc.). He has also started doing the wii dance a few times a for an hour at a time. He really goes at it lol.

I have suggested c25k with him, we will see.

Let us know how your son gets on. If he wants to post his own results here he can see that old or young we all get good runs and bad runs

[LisaFiona in reply to backintime]

Thank you, I forgot about the wii, I will definitely get him on there. He’s asked me this morning what time is our run tomorrow so that’s a good sign after yesterday saying he can’t do again!

[Slugonarazor]

I doing it with my boys too I have 3 I want them to understand that running and being healthy is a good thing rather than a chore

[LisaFiona in reply to Slugonarazor]

This is how I feel, thank you.

[Slugonarazor in reply to LisaFiona]

Good luck

[LisaFiona]

So we’ve completed our second run, although we had done a 7 mile park walk this morning & Lewis had some chaffing 😖 we went out at 7pm for the run & he did great, no complaining at his chest this time just sore where the chafing is! So proud of him & he’s determination to do this & we managed to get dad with us too! We also found out where our local park run is for the future. Thank you all for the lovely messages x

[BlindTipsy in reply to LisaFiona]

I did c25k with my 13 year old son both to try and get him (and me!) a bit fitter and to help him deal with anxiety after his dad and I split up very unexpectedly. What worked for us was finding a group to run with as, although I was able to provide moral support, I would have struggled to support him mid run as it was such a challenge for me too. I found ours on runtogether.co.uk but have seen others on facebook etc.

[LisaFiona in reply to BlindTipsy]

Thank you, I shall look into this too. Wishing you & your son lots of luck x

[Oldman51 Graduate]

Sorry, but I think you are being cruel. He had already done a 7 mile walk causing him injury. Why subject him to more discomfort? Unless of course you really wish to put him off exercise for life.

[LisaFiona in reply to Oldman51]

He still wanted to do the run as planned, this is a walk we do regularly but unfortunately he had shorts on that had rubbed him a bit, I would never take him out if I thought he was injured at all & I had asked him if he wanted to wait till the next day for his run because of the long walk but he still wanted to do it. The walk was early morning & the run was at 7pm. I wouldn’t call chaffing an injury, it was a small amount of redness on one inside thigh, in fact it has cleared up today & this has definitely not put him off. We do a light jog rather than a full on run because of his age & being a beginner.

[Oldman51 Graduate in reply to LisaFiona]

Your child; your choice.