Kids Weight Loss Success Stories  

Meet the Paul Brothers

The Paul brothers--Matt and Mitch

Sudbury, Ontario

Ages: Matt: 15; Mitch: 11

Heights: Matt: 5'6"; Mitch: 5'2"

Job: Being kids

Weights Before: Mitch 170 lb; Matt 200 lb

Weights After: Matt 140 lb; Mitch 118 lb

THE GAINAfter their parents separated, Matt and Mitch Paul began eating lots of fried and fatty foods, and they seldom exercised. Each put on 50 pounds in 3 years. "There was a lot of stress on the boys," says their father, Brian.THE CHANGEThe boys went to live with their dad when their mother developed health problems. Brian and his new wife, Corey, led by example. "We didn't put them on a 'diet'; we only had them eat what we ate." Says Mitch, "It was easy--when I got the hang of eating right and having normal portions, the pounds just flew off."THE STRATEGYThe boys got active. They played ice hockey--they're in Ontario, after all--went cross-country skiing, and took swimming lessons. A typical breakfast is high-fiber cereal or peanut butter on whole-wheat toast. Lunch might be a turkey, ham, or chicken sandwich, fat-free yogurt, fruit, and cheese. After school they snack on a piece of fruit or a cereal bar, and dinners vary from a salad with chicken to chili or pasta. One night a week, the kids can choose any snack and have one portion as a treat.THE RESULT Matt lost 60 pounds, and Mitch lost more than 50, both within 6 months. THE REWARDGrades and confidence are way up. "Before I lost the weight, I was a couch potato," Matt says. "People would make fun of me for the way I looked. Back then, if someone asked me to do something active, I would have said no. But now I'm the one asking people to do things."THE WORKOUTMatt goes camping, canoeing, and hiking. Mitch plays football, soccer, and basketball.DAD'S TIPS Cook together. "Take the extra time to prepare easy, nutritious meals and have the kids help. It's less expensive and more beneficial." Don't say "diet." "Putting kids on a diet labels them, and they'll want to know when the diet will end." Make it a game. "At first Matt and Mitch wouldn't step on a scale. When they started losing weight, we couldn't get them off it."

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