If there’s a will, there’s a weigh (Whatchama-CAEHL-it XLII)

Upon his discharge from the hospital last January, Caehl was strictly advised by his pediatrician (my good friend and kumare Dra. Joy Drilo) to watch his diet. He's already overweight for his age at 83lbs (his height is a little below 4ft). “Hindi porke mataba,” the doctor said, “ay healthy.”

According to http://www.medindia.net/patients/calculators/height-weight-chart-Result.asp, the optimal height of a boy his age is 3 ft 4 inches (101.6 cms) and the optimal weight is 41.8 lbs (19 Kg).

And so, Caehl promised Dra. Joy he will limit his milk intake (he was still using a bottle, with an average consumption of 2-4 5 oz – bottles a day), chocolates and other sweet and cold stuff.

I didn’t realize how serious he was until I noticed that all his milk bottles were gone, and he would drink milk from a cup (180cc) twice a day – one in the morning, and one before bedtime.

He also started to “junk" junk food, saying “they’re not healthy”, and ice cream sundae, reasoning out that it’s cold, “Baka ako ma-cough.” Sometimes I get sad because I know how much he likes them and I could see how much he is trying to control himself.

One Saturday morning, passing by a Nestle health kiosk in Shopwise Alabang, he stood on the weighing scale and checked his own weight. “80,” he declared. Next, he leaned on the height chart and said, “4 feet.”

It dawned on me that perhaps, his self-imposed restriction is working. He already lost 3 pounds in less than a month. His tummy has been less prominent and he even looks taller. “Healthy na ako, Nanay,” he would tell his nanny. He’s afraid of being obese. He would take short walks in the afternoon with Ate Doobs, our all-around angel, and do some exercises while walking or while in the churchyard across our house.

Last Monday, forgetting that he refuses to eat ice cream anymore, I brought home McFlurry Oreo.

“Mommy, it’s yours na lang,” he said. Naawa tuloy kami ni Ev.

“Ayaw na niya talaga, kahit chichirya,” she said. “Basta sinabi niyang ayaw niya, ayaw na niya talaga.”

Not only related to food, when Caehl sets his mind to do (or not to do) something, he will be true to his word, and you cannot sway him to do otherwise. Sometimes though it can be frustrating.

I don’t know until when he’s going to keep this up, but at least I know that he is already aware that keeping promises and staying fit are indeed important, regardless of age.
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Dr. Joy Drilo-Cano's clinic schedules (Pediatrician, Diplomate, Philippine Pediatric Society):
MPI-Medical Center Muntinlupa
Tues-Thurs-Sat 4-6pm
862-0162 local 123

Kobe Clinic, Festival Mall Alabang
Mon & Wed 3-7pm
842-5405

My Health Clinic, Festival Mall Alabang
Tues & Thurs 10am-1pm
Sunday 1-4pm
850-4855

Humana Clinic, Sta. Rosa, Laguna
Wed & Fri 9am - 2pm
(049) 544-0634