Mark's skinny. He's always been skinny. (well, okay, when he was three months old he had a little pudge on him, but dang, it went away fast.) He's always been in the 95th percentile for height and the 50th percentile for weight for his age. This translates into a skinny guy.In working on his family newsletter for school, he got a photo from his dad's house, showing Mark jumping into the water. It was a photo from behind, and you can see literally every bone in his back, all the ribs, everything. It's really quite gross (when Mark comes home tomorrow, I'll get him to give me a copy of the picture and I'll post it on here). That was the first time that Mark himself realized what we were talking about when we say how skinny he is. This picture to the left is from this summer's pond swim, and it gives you an idea.
So anyway. Skinny kid. And tall. He's about 5'8" and weighs about 120 pounds. Or he did. Apparently he has LOST WEIGHT during this basketball season. Well, he's got a high metabolism anyway (did NOT inherit that from his mom), and he's been playing basketball for 1.5 hours every day. He's burning calories at an incredible rate. And he just literally does not have enough time to eat enough food to restore those calories. But losing weight when your BMI is already 18.4? Not good.
I became aware of the weight issue when I picked Mark up at practice yesterday. They were playing shirts and skins, and he was a skin. And bone. I was on the bleachers perfectly able to count ribs and vertebrae. I need to fatten that child up. (eek, echoes of Hansel and Gretel there)
So, in a weird twist on today's obsession with weight, I am actually on a campaign to INCREASE the amount of calories that Mark will be taking in, while keeping it healthy. High levels of proteins, good carbs, and lots of veggies. Might add some Carnation Instant Breakfast shakes or something. Any suggestions?
Damn, I wish I had this problem for myself. mk
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update: here's the other pic....it reeeeeeeeeeally grossed out some of the girls in Mark's class.
4 comments:
OH man - I wish I had that problem. I've NEVER been skiiny - even as a little kid. My son is on the skinny side too. I wonder how it will be when he is a teenager and burning all those calories.
(My sister-in-law tells the story of having to BRIBE my husband when he was a kid wo he would eat to gain weight)
It'll pass. When he's 30 he'll be wishing he still had that metabolism.
I had the same problem when I was a kid, and the doctor said, "Drink a milkshake every night before bed." I didn't and my skin and bones problem lasted until I got pregnant. Mark won't be rescued by pregnancy - darn, he'd be the richest man in the world. ;-) Good luck in fattening him up.
Kathleen
Hey T,
Just wanted to say thanks for your encouraging comment yesterday. I really appreciated it.
Hope you and the kids have a good day!
-bm
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