What you need to know about teen weight loss

In world where physical comeliness matters, more and more people are giving too
much emphasis on physical appearance. They are becoming interested -- even
obsessed -- in using so many products and services that can help them improve
their physical appearance.

Today, one of the biggest problems of people -- especially by teenagers all
over the world -- is being overweight or obesity. Too much weight -- caused by
overeating and lack of exercise -- is becoming one of the problems especially
of teenagers that cause them to lose confidence.

If you are a parent who has an obese or overweight child and you would want to
help him or her to lose weight safe and effectively, here are some steps that
you can do:

1. Help your child to come up with a great decision. Losing weight is a
decision you must help your child with. The first thing that you can do is to
talk to your child. Ask him or her what he or she thinks about herself. If he
or she confesses that he/she doesn't feel good about his or her physical
appearance, then its now time to ask your child what he/she wants to do.

Give your child suggestions on how he/she improve herself. Ask him or her if he
or she is willing to lose weight and help your child all the way. Once you and
your child have made a decision, start plotting your plan on how to lose weight
effectively, safely, and the healthy way. Aside from making the major decision
whether to lose or nor to lose weight, the decision must also include the full
participation of both parties in the agenda.

Aside from assuring your child that that he or she has your full support, it
would also be a wise decision if you both formulate a specific plan how you are
going to approach this endeavor. The decision will also include the possible
resources and strategies you can use.

2. If possible, try to change your eating and exercising patterns together. If
you really want to help your child lose weight, you should try formulating an
eating and exercise plan that can help him or her lose weight effectively. An
effective plan may include eating foods low in fat and low in sugar along with
a great deal of regular exercise.

3. Look for nonprofessional support weight loss programs and use them if you
can. Today, there are two weight loss programs that most experts recommend: the
TOPS or Take Off Pounds Sensibly which is a self-help club encourages
parent-child participation and the Weight Watchers. Statistics say that most
people who enroll in these programs drop out even before the program ends, so
it is very important for parents to guide their children so they won't give up
easily.

4. Ask help from professionals and experts that have expertise in
cognitive-behavior therapy and weight. Since obesity is one of the major
problems of teenagers, more and more psychologists offer their services to help
people who are overweight to lose weight.

5. Send your child to high-quality weight loss camps or to residential weight
loss programs. Losing weight can be traumatic experience for your child. Giving
him or her a fresh new environment to start with can help him or her a lot to
pursue the weigh loss endeavor.

Today, there are so many weight loss camps created specifically for those
children who would want to lose weight away from the eyes of people who are
eagerly and intently watching him or her. In the first few weeks of your child
in this new task, he or she may find it hard to concentrate because of the
pressure given by the people and the environment. You can help him or her if
you look for a safe and clinically appropriate environment that can help her or
him focus on losing weight.

Weight loss for teens

With teen celebrities all losing weight, there is no doubt that there is a
trend on weight loss going on. From teenage girls to teenage boys, upper class,
middle class, middle school, high school, everybody, it seems, wants to have a
slim body.

Dieting is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, when done right, dieting can
do great things for the body. Eating the right foods and exercising, which are
the hallmarks of proper dieting, can produce a healthy body that is strong and
fit.

Unfortunately, the proper form of dieting may take a long while, too long for
teenagers who are hell-bent on losing weight the fastest way possible and also
the easiest way. The need for a form of diet that will be fast and also easy on
the stomach has opened doors for all kinds of weight loss programs. Some target
the diet and the food intake of the person. Others go for the exercise part of
the diet program. A few target those who want to lose weight in a matter of
days and they can only achieve this by going under the knife.

The prevalence of these kinds of weight loss programs that are not healthy and
in the long run bad for one's body has alarmed a lot of people in the medical
industry. To ensure that your teeners are losing weight the right way, here are
some tips that will come in handy.

Show your support

Teeners may want independence but they are much too young to lose your
guidance. They still need your support despite claiming that they want to
decide for themselves and stand on their own two feet. The problem I guess with
most teeners right now is the fact that they are not being guided by their
parents in their choice of diet. Some do not even tell their parents that they
are undergoing some kind of diet.

If you want to really help your teener, make sure that you show your support.
Be their friend and confidante. You may not agree with everything that they
want but at least you know what is going on in their lives. This way, you can
help them make the right choices and guide them to the right path. As they say,
if you can't beat them, join them.

Emphasize more than looks

Teeners who are obsessed enough with their looks to want to lose weight fast
are those that do not have much self-esteem or those who place much importance
into how they look and not who they are. It is important that parents nowadays
teach their children, especially teenagers that there are more things in life
more important than looks, that they can be accepted and become successful with
other things such as good grades, achievements in the arts or in music,
excellence in sports or leadership skills.

Become a good example

There is no right way of teaching your kids the value of the right kinds of
diet than by example. If they see you using the easy way out by going under the
knife or starving yourself to death just to lose a few precious pounds, you will
find it hard to convince them that they should not do it too. After all, you are
doing it. Why shouldn't they?

Adolescence and Weight Problems

Adolescent or teens are undergoing heavy transition between childhood and
adulthood. It is the time they experience the first surge of hormones leading
to different emotional complexities. They start to assert themselves in every
situation and meet challenges like young adults. When social circle starts to
widen, teens are always conscious about physical appearance, especially girls.
They are anxious to look best, and most of all to look slender in all occasions.

Weight loss sounds like a struggle to some people, while there are ironically
those who aspire to gain weight. Losing weight is critical to those who are 20%
over weight. If being thin is quite a problem to some, the reality still shouts
loud that it is ugly to be fat.

The onset of this issue starts in early teen-age years. High schools are
stressed out to be thin while they nibble on high calorie foods. People with
fast metabolism or those who weigh normally have the capacity to burn fat
easier than those who overweight by heredity.

Teen weight loss has to be ruled out even childhood years. It starts during
infanthood. Based on researches, breastfed babies are less likely to suffer
from obesity in their adult years. Bottle fed babies tend to suck milk easily
compared to breast fed babies who work harder to suck the natural way. Infants
who become overweight are higher with bottle fed babies and they carry it over
until they reach adolescent years. Once a child is already obese during
childhood, the body has already adjusted to such metabolism.

Teens are also affected by hormonal changes. Girls have monthly woes of
hormonal peaks, which could be felt during and after menstrual cycle and during
ovulation. Water retention usually occurs before a period. This could be avoided
by eating less salty food. Boys who are very active with activities tend to eat
more but could find balance in shedding fats easily.

They are also prone to obesity given the right formula of eating too much,
eating oily/fatty foods and not shedding the excess calories. Needless to say,
being overweight knows no gender except for the biological reality that boys
are more muscular by girls. By nature girls have 25% more body fat compared to
boys because their bodies are prepared for nurturing children.

Weight loss for teen does not have to be complicated. If the teen is
excessively problematic about the issue, it is important to consult a doctor
and know the reason behind the abnormal weight. The doctor will determine how
to attack the real problem first rather than giving ineffective methods of
diets. The doctor will know the teen's daily habit and lifestyle from where he
can base his judgment in giving the right nutritional advice.

Exercise is an important part of routine session to be undergone by a teen.
This is to trim the muscles during weight loss. Exercise not only improves
circulation but it also boosts the functioning of the body.

Effective dieting is like a goal with rules to be followed. If an expert has
tabulated a weight loss diet, it should be complied with great courage and
determination to get the desired result. There is no room for panic and
plunging to fast methods of weight loss. It is to make the method slow but
sure. This way, the weight loss is permanent.

Teen weight loss: Taking it slowly is still the best

According to recent studies more kids nowadays are mild to severely overweight.
The 1999-2000 National health survey indicates that 15 % of children and teens
are overweight.

The figure is nearly double that what was recorded a decade or so ago. Some
blame their present lifestyle while others blame the lack of discipline in
teens nowadays. Regardless of the reasons, teen weight problems are real.

But unlike weight loss programs for adults, teen weight loss programs are a
little tricky since such programs when left uncheck can be potentially
dangerous for their health. Because of the potential danger, dietitian and
nutrition experts approach the subject with caution.

The basic problem with teen weight loss is that their bodies are still growing
and developing and cutting down food intake will greatly influence their
growth. It is therefore important that diet programs for teens should cover all
their nutritional needs.

For teenagers, they generally need to grasp some basic concepts about eating
right. If they eat too little, their health will be put at risk. But similarly,
if they eat more that they should, the extra food turns into body fat causing
weight issues. Teenagers should learn to eat food less with saturated fats.

These foods include those fried in fat and oil like fried chicken, burgers,
potato chips, french fries, potato chips and other fatty meat. Meanwhile, they
also should avoid foods that are high in fat and sugar contents like cakes,
chocolates, butter, cream, peanut butter, pies, cookies, and generally any
sweets and sweet based desserts.

A lot of diet programs claim to be the best solutions for over weight teens.
These claims generally revolve around two basic concepts: the right diet and
regular exercise. In reality, the quickest and easiest way for teens to loose
weight is still the having the right diet and right exercise. Teens should
always avoid diet pills.

Most of the kids or teens today eat fast foods, get exceedingly large food
portions and are really extremely lazy lacking the necessary activities to
build a healthy body. Simple outdoor activities for teens can help them loose
some of their excess body weight. When you cut grass use a push mower, for
example. Engage in activities like playing Frisbee which would help you
exercise without even realizing it.

There's really no quick way to loose weight. You need to work the excess fat
off your body. It is the right combination of diet and exercise which will help
you loose weight. But the problem with dieting and exercising is keeping
motivated and goal oriented. Kids find dieting intimidating and regular
exercise boring.

This is why full family support is necessary if you want your kids to loose
some weight. You need to keep your kids and teens motivated. Encourage them and
help them overcome their cravings by cooking, serving and eating the same food
diets that they eat. Get them to be more active. If they find regular exercises
boring, join them in other activities such as sports.

Teach them what to look for when they eat outdoors. Tell them the benefits of
foods and teach them how to read food labels. You may be able to control their
diet while they stay home but when they go outside and eat with friends, then
you might have a problem. It is therefore important in any diet to implant a
sense of self discipline and pride in what they do.

Modern teens face more than hormonal changes

For teenager, weight loss is a perpetual issue. During the times of raging
hormones and attempting to adapt to their changing bodies and social roles,
you'll find teens complaining of their looks especially their weights.

First off, you need to consult a doctor or dietitian to determine if your kid
is indeed overweight or if he/she needs to loose weight fast. If a teen is
really overweight, then moral and emotional support is one of the basic things
needed to overcome their weight problems.

Always remember that weight management is a long-term process and involves not
just the person who will try to loose weight. It involves the people who
prepare his/her food, among others. It has been found out that teens that have
the support of their families show better results in weight reduction programs
that those teens that go about the program on their own.

When trying to loose weight, be sure that you do that in the safest way
possible. Recent medical studies recommend losing not more than two pounds per
week. Weight loss can be accomplished through a combination of programs which
include exercise and decreased calorie intake. Make sure to get into a program
that helps you loose weight the right way.

The medical community warns of loosing more than 2% of one's body weight in a
period of 24-48 hours. The results would be a decrease in aerobic performance
and endurance. Meanwhile, losing more than 5% of one's body weight in three to
four days will have detrimental results on one's power, muscle endurance and
strength, aerobic performances and even mental concentration. With such extreme
weight loss programs, the body looses the ability to cool itself which can cause
more harm than good.

Aside from the right exercise, you need to compliment this increased activity
with the right diet. Avoid drinks that are high in calories like sodas, juices,
and other drinks. If you cannot avoid sodas, switch to the diet or low calorie
ones. Make sure that you drink lots of water or other sugar-free drinks. This
will help you stay away from those sodas.

Sometimes, it is best to take one step at time. More often than not, one tends
to go back to their normal ways quickly if changes are introduced drastically.
That's why it is better to move forward gradually rather than leaping two to
three steps forward and finding yourself five steps back after a few weeks.

One great tip in reducing your food intake is to stop eating when you're
already full. Avoid eating when you're emotionally unstable. This happens a
lot, especially in teens with constant body changes.

When people eat because they are bored, lonely, or stressed, they tend to
continue eating despite that fact that they are already full. Eat slowly since
it will take about 20 minutes before your brain recognize the amount of food in
your stomach.

Be sure to eat lots of fruits and vegetables. As much as possible, replace your
junk food intake with fruits or vegetables. Not only will you loose weight but
it will keep your heart and body healthy. Also, don't replace food groups or
avoid eating them in your attempt to loose weight.

As a teenager, you should avoid such forms of diets since your body still needs
the nutrients for growth and development. Diet pills are also a no-no. These
pills can be very dangerous to one's health even if taken with a doctor's
prescription. It is better to go about loosing weight the more natural way. It
will create discipline and is more sustainable in the long run.

Helping Your Teen Lose Weight

Following healthy habits are the essential key to teen weight loss. Without
such a habit, teenagers may find it difficult to maintain their healthy weight.
The way today's food consumption is being looked at in this country, healthy
eating has surely been put at the wayside. Teenagers of today really have a
myriad of delicious food choices to eat. But sad to say, most of them belong to
the unhealthy food group. It is now easier for teenagers today to get fat
because of the convenience brought about by fast food.

Parents today live in a very busy world where time is spent more on work. Such
parents may not have the time to prepare food and sometimes must rely on the
nearest pizza or hamburger place to provide the nourishment for their children.
But this should not be. Fastfood is considered to be one of the reasons why most
teenagers are getting fatter. Fastfood is considered junk food since they are
not able to supply all the nourishment that growing kids need. But fast food
can really be fattening with the great amounts of fat and carbs that they
contain. It is a bad choice if you wish to help your child stay at a healthy
weight as he or she grows up.

Your concern to see to it that your teenagers grow up to be healthy and fit
individuals is the first step in keeping their weight down. Always bear in mind
that teenage obesity is a dangerous and a growing problem in this country. But
you can do something about it. You can make effective use of your concern about
your teenager's weight by putting it into action. You can help show your teen
the way by following a practical plan for success. There's no easy way for teen
weight loss. The most important thing that you can do is letting your teenager
adopt healthy habits that can last a lifetime. Here are some tips:

1. Start with a heart-to-heart talk.

If your see that your teen is getting overweight, chances are, he or she is
also concerned about the excess weight. Aside from bringing in lifelong health
risks such as high blood pressure and diabetes, the social and emotional
consequences of being overweight can have a devastating effect on your
teenager. Talk to your teenager about it. Try to offer support and gentle
understanding and make him or her verbally aware that you really are concerned.
Try also to add in a willingness to help your teen take control of the weight
problem that he or she is facing.

2. As much as possible, resist looking for quick fixes.

Make your teen realize that losing and maintaining an ideal weight is a
lifetime commitment. Encouraging fad diets may rob your growing teen essential
nutrients essential to his or her continuing development. Buying weight-loss
pills for your teenager and other quick fixes won't be able to address the root
of the weight problem. The effects of such quick fixes are often short-lived and
you teen may likely balloon back. What you should be able to teach is adopting a
lifelong healthy habit. Without a permanent change in unhealthy habits, any
weight loss program will only remain a temporary fix.

3. Promote and encourage doing more calorie-burning activities.

Just like adults, teens also require about an hour of physical activity
everyday. But that doesn't mean sixty solid minutes of pure gut-wrenching
activity. You can plan shorter, repeated bursts of activity throughout the day
that not only can help burn calories, but also become an enjoyable, fun and
worthwhile affair. Sports and hiking can be probable options.

Overweight teens, marching to summer camps

Weight loss camps, yes, they really do exist. If you've heard of training
camps, band camps and all sorts of other summers camps then chances are you
have an idea already why such summer weight loss camps exists. Various weight
loss summer camps have distinct programs. You'll find camps that offer programs
from traditional dieting and exercising to the newest fad in weight loss
programs.

A summer weight loss camp in New York, for example, supplements traditional
diet and weight loss programs with alternative means of loosing weight. The
camp set their priorities to keep their programs enjoyable and entertaining.

The want the teens and kids that enroll in their summer camp to have fun more
than anything else. Their programs are spread out to a diversity of
extraordinary activities which increases, hastens and maintains the calorie
burning process.

And before the summer camp ends, parents and the teens themselves are very
happy on the results of their weight loss program. The good thing from these
summer camps is that most of their weight loss programs are geared towards
continuity. If they decide to stick with their program, they will surely loose
weight even after they return to their homes.

It has been observed that traditional diet camps are not producing the desired
results. It is therefore important that you choose well which camp you will
send your kid to. Look for camps that have great programs and impressive
backings from the academe as well as the scientific community.

It is comforting to know that the diet programs your kids or teens will
undertake are based on scientific research and meticulous studies. You don't
want to send your kids to a camp which will make them guinea pigs for a new
exercise program. You want well established weight loss programs that deliver
results.

Aside from diets and exercises, other camps offer skills trainings that will
help kids and teens maintain a healthy body all through their life. Some still
offers various behavioral therapies that will strengthen their mental and
emotional state through whatever kind of issues that might arise from weight
gain.

Also, there are summer camps that are specialized for the needs of teens with
other issues aside from overweight like such as Autism, ADHD, Asperger's,
obesity, different learning disabilities or behavioral problems. There are
camps that will handle the needs of these special kids all the while addressing
their problems in weight.

For parents, these camps are God send. It might prove to very difficult for the
parents to encourage their teens and kids that are hounded by psychological
disorders to loose weight. They sometimes need the experts' assistance on
things.

One other thing the parents should look for in a weight loss camp is the ratio
of instructors or counselors to students. The ratio of instructors and
counselors to students should be high. By having more than enough instructors,
camps will be able to focus on the kids and teens' programs.

They will make sure that the teens will be following the program correctly and
will guide them to the right techniques in order to maximize the results.
Expert instructors will make sure that kids and teens as well as their parents
and sponsors will leave camp satisfied and have greater self esteem.

Weight loss summer camps are scattered all over the country. There are also
winter camps for weight loss. You won't run out of options when it comes to
health camps such as these.

Free weight loss program for teenagers

Losing weight is in vogue right now. What with celebrities and teen stars all
losing pounds, it is not surprising that the vast majority of teeners in
America are also obsessed with weight loss programs. Everyone wants to stay
slim as the models that they see strutting in the catwalks.

Everyone wants to be able to dress like their idols Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan
and Hillary Duff. Weight loss programs, however, can be
really expensive. And no amount of saving your monthly allowance will be able
to make you afford one. Unless of course you have a trust fund like that of the
Hilton sisters!

Losing weight however need not be expensive. In fact, you can lose those
additional weight and pounds without even having to shell out a lot of money.
This is especially true if you do not really need to lose much. You can
actually do it for free. You don't believe me? Read on below and find some tips
on how to achieve weight loss for free.

Determine how much to lose

The process of losing weight is different for different people. This is because
people need to lose different amounts of weight. A weight loss program that has
worked for someone who needs to lose a little over 20 pounds may not work for
someone who needs to lose more than 50 pounds. The same goes with people who
have the time to work out in a gym and those who opt for home exercise.

Before you determine the right program for losing weight, you have to first
know just how much pounds you have to lose. To do this, consult the body mass
index to know the ideal weight for your age and your height. After doing this,
you will be able to plan your own weight program.

Combine diet and exercise

One of the most costly mistakes both financially and health-wise that teenagers
make is to concentrate on just one aspect of dieting. This may not be good for
the dieter as concentrating on just one will not balance out the weight loss.

If you diet too much, your body may suffer from the loss of nutrients and
exercising too much may lead to muscle pains and body aches. It is important
that you combine both of these things to achieve maximum weight loss. What is
more, when both of these are combined, weight loss is more permanent and more
lasting.

Slowly but surely

Crash diets often do not work in the long run. Oh, it can make you lose weight
fast but because of what your body has gone through, you will gain the lost
pounds just as fast. In addition, crash diets will only put your body and
health in jeopardy. It is important that you give yourself enough time to lose
those unwanted pounds slowly but surely. This way, you can be sure that your
weigh loss will be for keeps.

Check your commitment meter

One important ingredient in a weight loss program is the hunger for weight
loss. You can enroll in the most expensive weight loss program but without the
determination to lose weight, your money will just go down the drain. If you
have full commitment in the program, even if it is something that you have only
planned yourself, you can succeed.

Helping Your Kids Lose Weight

If you want to help your teenage kids to lose weight, here are some tips that
may prove helpful:

1. Make losing weight a family affair. Rather than just concentrating on your
teen, try to adopt healthy habits as a family. Eating healthier foods at home
and getting more exercise is good for the whole family. Try to encourage family
members to eat more fruits, veggies and whole grains.

Prepare menus that contain healthy food groups to ensure that your family is
getting all the nutrients that they need. Practice leaving junk food when you
do your shopping at the grocery store. Healthy foods may sometimes cost you
more, but it' is worth investing in as it concerns the health of your whole
family.

2. Allow occasional treats as a break from the usual. That late-night pizza
with friends or nachos at the mall doesn't need to be totally excluded from
your teen's healthy-eating plan. Suggest a healthier alternative instead such
as breadstick and marinara sauce instead of garlic bread dripping in butter and
cheese.

You can also opt for ordering a shared snack instead of a full-size order to
lessen the portions. You can let your teen know that he or she can also have
control over his or her eating choices and an occasional indulgence is
acceptable. A trend towards developing healthier habits is what really matters
rather than banishing your kid's favorite food totally.

3. Plan fun and highly active family outings, such as regular walks at the park
or weekend visits to a local recreation center. Such activities can greatly help
keep your kids stay active. And not only that, such activities can also be a
great way for the whole family to bond and enjoy each one's company.

4. Be positive. With your kids being overweight, their feelings should also be
put into consideration. How they feel about themselves can affect their
motivation to lose weight. As a parent, you can actually influence how your
kids will feel about themselves.

You must help them realize that being overweight doesn't inevitably lead to a
lifetime of having low self-esteem. Your acceptance of their condition is
critical. Try to listen to your teen's concerns. Provide positive comment on
his or her efforts, skills and accomplishments. You must always make it clear
that your love and concern is unconditional and that it is not dependent on
weight loss.

This will make them more secure as well as confident in trying to motivate
himself or herself from losing weight. You can help your teen learn healthy
ways of being more open in express his or her feelings.

5. Eat breakfast. This is usually a thing that is lightly taken in many
families. But breakfast can really help your teen from keeping off those extra
pounds. It may take some constant urging for your teen to get up early for
breakfast, but always bear in mind that it is important.

A well-balanced nutritious breakfast at the start of the day will jump-start
your teen's metabolism. This meal will be able to give him or her energy to
face the day ahead. Even better, feeling full each morning before going out of
the house may keep your teen from eating too much during the rest of the day.

These are just a few of the many things that you can do to help your teen from
getting rid of excess pounds and keeping it off. It may take a bit of work on
your part. But the rewards can be seen in knowing that your kids are learning
to live a healthier lifestyle and grow and develop into healthy adults.

Weight Loss is Free and Easy if Reflected Seriously

Teen-agers are always plagued by many health problems triggered by many
factors. One of the basic issues during this stage is the peer pressure to
maintain normal weight, and in much desired sense, every teen-ager prefers the
anorexic-look.

Easy free weight loss for teens is not suppose to be an issue if only the word
"discipline" is properly established in one's daily living. What can you expect
of teens? They will do the worse by escaping meals, only to feel tired and
haggard with the struggle of keeping a trim body.

The ways to do effective teen weight loss starts at home. Usually if the
environment has erratic schedules, chances are the lifestyle is chaotic too,
and in some way this can affect the management of food served. While teens are
outgoing, they end up taking dinner at fast food chains or they keep busy in
front of TVs nibbling crackers.

Keeping a sensible book on calorie list is better than not knowing the count of
each food indiscriminately taken. A teen can keep this somewhere while keeping
track of each food consumption. Usually, unnecessary beverages also add a scale
in the calorie list. If one is not aware, alcohols have high calorie content,
yet it does not give potential benefit for the body.

Ice cream is also one culprit in adding any excess weight to a complete daily
diet. Imagine an approximate 450 calories per serving of ice cream, which
already comprise almost the third of an average person's complete meal. Being
aware of every calorie count does serve as reminder of what could be taken
constantly. In consistent use, one could even memorize the tabulation with ease.

Fruits and vegetables are important part of diet with lesser amount of calories
yet vital in daily processes. Teens must not forget to take these food groups in
larger quantities to help them with an efficient diet rather than fantasize on a
big serving of french fries during outdoor activities. Cakes and fancy pastries
are rich on oil, yet they can't fully satisfy the pang of hunger. A good
serving of natural cereals for breakfast is a good start for the day.

Easy and free teen weight loss program should be the focus in getting trim.
Advertisements are sometimes the culprit on why teens plunge with different
systems of weight loss, which are not necessary for such a tender age.

Usually, product lines of diet pills and tablets may sound encouraging because
of the promise of instant effect and false scripted testimonials that go along
with ads. A chubby teen would find it tempting to try any methods just to look
sexy on a prom night.

It is quite funny to see and hear several varying stories on gaining and losing
weight from people of all walks of life. Each is unique, however, it will really
tickle your thoughts on why there are dozens of ineffective methods? People come
and go, thin, and fat sharing their side of experiences. You will realize, there
is no perfect universal diet regimen for everyone. There is only one universal
truth about staying trim the cheapest way, and that is taking a close study on
what you eat.

It means, the only key to permanent weight loss is still the motivation to
limit the amount of food taken, plus knowing the right energy (calorie) each
food contains for consumption. One must really digest this idea and sit down to
think over or reflect on how stubborn most people are in terms of eating habits.

Something good and free came out of the internet

We want everything in life to be free, like the air we breathe. But reality is
not that easy nor is it that kind. There are people who will exploit every
opportunity to get even the smallest amount of money from various services.

Fortunately, there are still a considerable number of good people in the world.
Some of whom share their knowledge and experiences free of charge. Take for
example the weight loss programs and techniques. It is common practice to hire
experts to help individuals to loose weight.

Nowadays, one can just go online, conduct a search and voila! You'll find
instant and free tips and strategies that will guide adults and teens alike
from loosing those excess pounds.

Take for example the following tips. The following general guidelines were
taken from the internet. They showcase some basic, at times rather obvious,
words of advice on how teens should loose weight. Overweight teens have
somewhat a tricky problem when it comes to loosing weight.

They should take care and monitor their diets and weight loss closely since
they might not be taking enough food that will give them the proper nutrients
for them to grow and their bones and muscles to develop. The following tips
include ingenious ways that teens can follow which can help them loose those
body fats.

Overweight is usually a result of overeating of junk foods rich with saturated
fats, salts and loaded with calories. To curb your desire to eat chips, you
learn to replace these types of foods with healthier ones like carrots or
fruits.

Replace a bag of potato chips with carrots sticks or apples or bananas. Another
way to restrain your uncontrollable craving for extra foods like desserts and
sweets, make sure that you brush your teeth at the end of every meal. Brushing
have this unconscious effect that sends signals to your brain that says you've
finished eating.

Sometimes, when you do something while you eat, you don't seem to notice that
you are already full or you are already eating more than what you should have.
So as a recommendation for mothers at home, keep the kitchen free from clutter
unrelated to cooking like homework, paper jobs, etc. When you're at school,
keep your snack time to a minimum.

The more you stay lingering around the school grounds or canteen, the more
chances you have to buy something to eat. When eating, eat slowly and in small
bites. Forcing yourself to chew your food will help you recognize that you're
full. The brain takes around 20 minutes to determine if the stomach has just
enough food or not. That's why by eating slowly, you could get the right
portions of food since you would always be able to avoid over eating.

It is also known hat music affect eating habits. The faster the music the
faster you tend to eat and we don't want that. And also, be sure to be as
active as possible.

Also, it seems that sunlight affects cravings for sweets. It is said that when
teens are exposed less to the sun, they tend to grab more high-calorie, fatty
carbs like cakes, cookies, ice cream and chips,"

These are just a few free tips that I've found in the Internet. The World Wide
Web is full of articles just like this. All you need to learn is how to use the
internet to your advantage.

Fast weight loss diet for teens

With celebrities all losing weight especially teen stars like Lindsay Lohan,
Paris Hilton and Hillary Duff, it is no wonder that teenagers nowadays want to
have the slimmest bod ever.

And with a hundred and one kinds of the diet programs in the market, dieting is
not really that hard especially if you are really dead set on your target weight
and losing those extra pounds. It is important though that you look for a kind
of diet that will fit your needs and something that will still keep you healthy.

Most of the diet programs in the market may work but getting into the program
can be mighty expensive. Unless you have someone like Donald Trump as your
father, an ordinary teenager like you would never be able to afford the diet
program even if you save your whole monthly allowance. Other programs though
that you can afford may not work the same way. If you are not really in need of
a crash diet and just need to lose a few pounds, then you can just do your own
kind of diet and monitor your own progress.

There is actually no great secret in dieting. The right kind of dieting is
composed of two things, balance diet and exercise. Below are some ideas and
tips that may help you start the diet program. See what works for you and who
knows, you might even be able to invent your own.

Lessen the meat

One way to truly lose weight is to avoid foods that put calories into your
weight. This means that you should avoid foods that are rich in fats and
carbohydrates. Lessen your intake of red meat such as beef and pork. If you
must really have to, eat white meat such as those found in chicken and in
turkey.

Go for the fruits

Fruits are healthy foods that provide a balance of nutrients and what is more,
it is a good source of fibers that help the digestive system metabolize the
foods that we take into our bodies. Fruits are also great sources of vitamins
and minerals that will not only keep your body healthy but will also keep your
skin and other body functions in tip-top shape.

Eat veggies.

Veggies are foods that are low in caloric content but rich in fibers, vitamins
and minerals. Depending on how it is cooked, going on a vegetarian meal once in
a while can help you lose those unwanted fats fast.

Exercise routine

The other side of a diet program is the exercise part. It is not enough that
you just eat the right kinds of food. Doing this will only prevent you from
gaining more weight but will not make a difference in the weight that you have
gained before. If you really want to lose weight, diet and exercise goes hand
in hand.

Most people think that if they exercise, every now and then, they will already
lose weight. This is not the case. In order to really lose weight, it is
important that you establish an exercise routine that you will be able to
follow through.

Commitment

Without this, nothing will ever come off from your attempt. In losing weight,
you really have to want to lose weight. There is no half measure. There is no
vacation. Total and absolute commitment is necessary. Otherwise, you are just
wasting your time.

Dealing with fast weight loss programs and surgeries for teenagers

Adolescence is a time of great pressure for a person. This is the period in
one's life when a person must be able to adjust to a lot of different things in
the environment and be able to cope with the new things that are coming into
their lives.

In addition to the usual changes in the body's chemical and hormonal
compositions, a teenager also need to cope with the pressures in the family, in
the school and in their social group. Most kids find the last one the hardest to
deal with.

Social groups, kids with almost the same age range, can be really cruel if they
want to. Stories of bullying and ostracism are not untrue. These things really
happen in every middle school and high school in the country. There are people
who are popular and there are those who are popularly bullied and made fun of.

In most social groups, the need to be part of the select group of popular kids
or just be accepted by the majority is one of the major achievements in these
periods of their lives. Unfortunately, much of the acceptance and the ostracism
involve the looks.

This is perhaps the reason why people, especially the young are so much into
their looks. Ultimately, they don't really want to have slim bodies. They don't
really want to diet. They just want to be accepted and they see dieting as their
ticket inside the select social group that they are craving to belong to.

This is also the reason why more and more kids are developing eating disorders
and a lot of them are undergoing surgeries. Most are into different kinds of
diet programs that guarantee them slimness in less than a month. Although these
procedures do work, when taken to the extreme, these can be mighty dangerous. In
the long run, not only will they be destroying their bodies and their health but
also their lives.

The roles of parents are therefore important in this instance. They are the
ones who need to show their teenagers the right way, to guide them so that they
will make the right choices. One way to do this is to show your understanding
and your support. Most parents often oppose the choices of their kids.

Because of this, their kids no longer confide or tell them what they are
thinking about or what is going on in their lives. You may not like what your
teeners to do the things that they do; but at least by knowing, you are able to
put limits on their behavior. There is a lot that "being aware" can do.

If you cannot really stop them and they are really decided; then support them
with their decision. Accompany them in shopping for a surgical doctor. Tell
them the pros and the cons. Maybe, you can manage to dissuade them.

Children can be logical and rational when they want to. They just need the
right kind of information fed to them. Another way to help them is to make sure
that they are aware of the choices that they are making. Losing weight fast can
be a dangerous thing. Let them read literature on the dangers of losing weight
fast. Tell them the dangers of surgeries and going under the knife. Let them
see picture of people who have gone under the knife and have their surgeries
backfire.

The Involvement of Schools in Teen Weight Loss

If you want to help your children lose weight, some changes have to be made. It
is becoming more often that we read and hear a lot about the need to lose weight
on a daily basis. Now that obesity is being recognized as an increasing problem,
losing weight, especially in teens has gained a lot more significance.

Overweight kids have been the product of a "fast food" lifestyle that most
families has grown accustomed with. Daily consumption of hamburgers and fries
along with other add-on have made it easier for teens to gain more weight and
at the same time get less of the essential nutrients that their growing body
needs. It is becoming an unhealthy trend that needs to be addressed. It is
usually up to the parents to take action.

So what is usually the quick and easy answer to help teenagers as well as
adults lose weight? The simple combination of diet and exercise of course.
Almost everyone is aware that following a healthy diet and regular exercise are
keys to losing and maintaining a healthy weight. No new research is required
before you can look into the causes of obesity in teenagers. More than just the
fast food, it is also the larger portion sizes, or increasing inactivity that
are causing more teens to become overweight.

There is not one single thing that they can easily change and make fewer people
overweight. It is usually a combination of diet, exercise and other things that
is the successful answer to any weight issues. The big concern is more on how
to find the motivation to eat healthier and exercise regularly. This is
probably the most difficult part of trying to lose weight. But even if one has
the proper motivation to start eating healthier and exercising more often,
trying to keep it up becomes an even harder task.

In the case of teenage kids, proper motivation may come from going to school
each day. An educational institution that practices and preaches a healthy
lifestyle would be more than helpful in keeping the weight of teenage and even
younger kids in check. Schools can institute major changes in order to provide
kids with healthy meals and regular exercise. Small steps such as banning soda
and fruit drinks can help a lot.

There are many ways that a school might help kids in general become healthier.
One is by providing real daily physical education requirements that can help
make kids more active physically, a break from a sedentary lifestyle that they
may be accustomed with at home. A school can also help in an effective weight
loss program for kids by offering only healthy foods at school meals. Unhealthy
foods or snacks should not be offered as an option for kids who don't want to
eat healthy.

Having adequate fitness equipment available to all students can greatly help in
motivating kids to become more active. Such equipment should be made available
for everyone and not just for those students who are participating in formal
sports. Schools can also increase the number of informal sports that kids can
play.

This way, kids do not have to be a member of the varsity basketball team in
order to enjoy playing basketball at school. Of all of these changes, the
program to increase physical education requirements will likely be the most
useful in helping kids reach a healthy weight. Such programs can also help them
avoid becoming overweight and further help kids build good habits that might
stay with them into adulthood.

Weight Loss Pills For Teens

Someone once said, "Health is wealth." This statement is true given that there
are more teens obese today than it was 20 years ago which could lead to various
problems in the future such as diabetes and heart disease.

The best way to lose those extra pounds is by working out and going on a diet.
Unfortunately, a lot of teens find it difficult to balance the time, which is
why many have turned to weight loss pills.

Weight loss pills are designed to make a person lose weight by suppressing
one's appetite. The only drug approved by the FDA for use on teens between the
ages of 12 and 16 is Xenical, which was once only used by overweight women.

When teens decide to eat food, the main ingredient, Orlistat blocks the
absorbing of fat and releases this out through the intestine as waste. In a
comparative study done between those who took the drug and those on a placebo
diet, results prove that the people here lost an average of seven to eight
pounds, which is much higher than the other group.

Since the body needs fat, teens are advised to compensate for the losses by
having this replenished during the three regular meals of the day.

The test group did not just take Xenical to get the results. These people also
had to follow a strict diet plan and exercise to maintain the weight that was
lost. One of the things to also watch out for are the side effects such as gas
pains, nausea and wet stools that will prompt the person to frequently go to
the toilet.

Xenical is a prescription drug. This means that the parents of the teenager or
that person cannot just buy this off the counter. It is only after a thorough
medical examination has been conducted that the doctor will allow the patient
to use this kind of medication.

Will someone who takes this get the same results like those in the test study?
The answer is no. This figure could be higher or lower which really depends on
the patient's metabolism.

Patients are advised to discontinue the use of Xenical if there are no signs of
improvement after six months. Doctors may have to try something stronger such as
the next one called Meridia.

Meridia is a diet pill that sends a signal to the brain making the person think
that the body is already full after eating only a few servings. The ingredient
that makes this happen is called Sibutramine. It works much differently than
Xenical with the same objective of losing the excess weight.

There are two other diet pills that the patient may take. These are namely
Bontril and Didrex. These ingredients of these two drugs are different and the
doctor may increase the dosage if there are no signs of improvement.

Unlike Xenical and Meridia, both of these pills have certain ingredients that
are quite addictive so this can only be used for a short period of time. A
gradual decrease in the dosage is also done to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

Diet pill such as those mentioned are only used for teens that are obese. Those
who are overweight will have to go on a diet and exercise given that people at
this young age can still engage in strenuous activity unlike people two or
three times that age.

Weight Loss for Teen Girls That Don't Work

There are a lot of books and articles out there that serve as a guide for teen
girls who want to lose those excess pounds. For a change, here is something
that people should read about to know what are some the things the individual
should not do.

The most effective way for a teen to lose weight is to go on a diet.
Unfortunately, the definition of a diet for some is so extreme that the person
would rather starve to achieve the desired results.

Is this good? Definitely not because it robs the teen of the much needed
vitamins and nutrients while growing up.

Studies show that the starvation diet also leads to weight gain. This is
because the body is not used to shortage of food entering the system and will
force one to engage in binge eating to recover on the losses.

The same report also shows that the so-called weight loss is not really fat but
rather is the lean muscle which gives the teen strength. This is because the
food being eaten contains calories that are much more needed by the muscles in
the body.

The calorie intake increases as the teen gets older. An 11 year old boy for
example will need a daily requirement of 1800 calories while someone at the age
of 18 will need close to 3000.

Those who decide to go below that are susceptible to nutritional deficiencies,
fatigue, bone weakness, hair and skin loss and hormonal problems.

One report shows that some kids have even resorted to laxatives to make this
happen. This is also not a good idea because it doesn't lose fat but rather
water in the system. This means someone can suffer from dehydration and may
even cause problems in the colon.

So what should be done to avoid this? For starters, the teen should not panic.
There is a safe way of fighting weight loss and this can only happen with the
help of a professional.

A doctor can examine the patient and see what improvements can be done. Going
on a diet is one way of doing it but not at the expense of skipping meals. This
simply means cutting down on the food being consumed.

The teen may have to give up eating snacks and replace this with fruits. Others
will skip the in-between meals and then just concentrate on the three most
important meals of the day.

Cutting down the food intake will not make the teen lose weight. The best
combination for any diet plan is exercise. It may involve walking or jogging a
few miles a day to engaging in a sport.

This will really depend on the physical condition of the teen since there are
some that are already known to be obese.

There is no overnight solution for teenage girls to lose those excess pounds.
This has to be done gradually by getting into a well thought out plan.

The first results will probably be seen in just two weeks as the person's
metabolic rate increases. This may dip a week later so the doctor must try
different things so the body will not be able to adjust to it. Changes will
happen and this varies from one teenage girl to the next.

Weight loss diet for adults not right for teens

Teens do experience what we could call "teenage weight pressures." At the age
of 16, teenagers are still too self conscious of their appearance that they are
easily affected by jeers by classmates and peers when it comes to how they look.
Being stereotyped because they are a little overweight can be really demeaning
which could cause other personal or even psychological problems later on.

But the thing is, if a teenager has been eating and exercising right their
bodies will be where they should be at their age. And when teenagers find
themselves overweight, impatient as they are, they tend to go overboard often
taking the drastic route to loose weight. They try skipping their meals or
limiting food intake the wrong way.

Because teens and preteens are still growing, the practice of skipping meals is
not such a great idea. Even adult weight loss programs do not arbitrarily
recommend skipping meals. The right diet is eating the right food that covers
teenagers' nutritional needs for their body's further growth and development.

More often than not, dietitians recommend that teens follow an eating plan that
will help reach their ideal weight and keep it there. They complement food diets
with lots of physical activities. They find that cutting back on calorie intake
is not the best option for teenagers to take. Being effective "calorie burners"
seems to be the right path that teenagers should take. By exercising a lot they
will reduce body fat and build their muscles at the same time.

As teenagers, they should also be encouraged to try all types of sports. By
increasing their physical activities they will develop tons of energy as well
as strength and stamina. Their bones will grow better and stronger. The will
have better and healthier skin and will have a general happy outlook in life.

However, for some teenagers a customized diet program is needed and is
suggested to be the most effective. But this is in a case to case basis. Not
all situations and circumstances are alike. These diets are normally designed
by diet and nutrition experts. Included in these customized diet programs are
itemization of particular food groups and proper proportion you child or teen
should eat.

These diets focus on reducing the intake of foods loaded with saturated fats.
Reducing fat in one's diet will make him/her healthier and will make it easier
to maintain their body weight. Under these programs, daily food consumption
should not have more than 30 grams, or 10 ounces, of fat.

You need to, therefore, spread out your intake of fat for each meal if you eat.
It is generally recommended that persons on a diet should avoid fat laden snacks
like potato chips or buttered popcorn.

In your teen's eating habits, probably the biggest obstacle that they will face
is when they eat at restaurants or dinners with friends. Foods in restaurant are
served in big portions and more often than not contain too much salt, fat, and
calories. Part of a diet program should be instilling discipline and self
control. One can still join their friends when they dine out but they should
learn to choose the right food and ask for the right servings.

You are what you eat. If you eat too much fat, then you'll probably end up fat.
Always remember to eat foods like fruits, vegetables, low-GI foods, and foods
with low fat contents. If you have been accustomed to eating fatty and salty
meals and junk foods, then your body might tell you that fruits and vegetables
don't taste that good. You then have to retrain your taste buds and body by
eating as many fruits and vegetables as possible. If you keep eating them,
you'll start to enjoy them later on.

Healthy Way For Teens To Lose Weight

There is nothing wrong with eating. The problem occurs when the teenager eats
too much food that contains fats and sugars which is reason that many become
overweight. Studies show that those who are unable to control it want a quick
solution. There are quite a few which are not effective and in reality are
potentially dangerous.

One example is the vegetarian diet. In essence, there is nothing wrong with
however teens who don't know any better have totally removed chicken and meat
products from the dish.

Vegetarians believe it or not still need to eat a little meat such as those
derived from poultry products and fish. This is because it has the essential
nutrients that are needed while a teen is growing up.

Some people tend to forget all that but there is a downside to it. This is
because the teenager will have to eat a wide variety of vegetables to
compensate for this.

Some teens have tried drinking herbal tea. These products are very similar to
laxative pills because the person will frequently be forced to go to the
bathroom and get rid of it. Studies have shown that this is unsafe for a teen
who will most likely suffer from dehydration or complications in the colon.

Teens are very susceptible to ads seen on television. There are some on the
home television shopping network that promise to lose those extra pounds by
going on a diet in just two weeks.

These usually focus on a low calorie diet plan. Although there is nothing wrong
should this be done for an adult, again, this is harmful for teens. This is
because a sudden loss in the calorie intake will prompt the body to take
defensive measures and force one to eat a lot later on to compensate of the
deficiency.

In fact, the same effects will happen should the teenager even think of going
on a starvation diet.

Another unsafe way to lose weight will be vomit out the food that was eaten.
This is worse than starving oneself because the body expels hydrochloric acid
that burns the throat and the teeth.

So, is there a healthy way for a teen to lose the excess weight? The answer is
yes. The first step is admitting to oneself that it has to end and then sharing
this problem with members in the family to get the help and support.

Someone may recommend a diet plan that was made by a trained professionals and
tested by doctors. There are so many to choose from and some focus more on
carbs while others put more emphasis on consuming more proteins.

A healthy diet should have a good follow through with the right exercise. There
are various workout programs like lifting weights, attending group classes or
burning those calories on the treadmill.

There are also other sports such as basketball, football or swimming that the
teen can engage especially when the body can still withstand the pressures of
rigorous activity.

There is no such a thing as a fast way to lose weight. The only thing that
exists is a safe and healthy one that can make this happen. There will be
challenges ahead but this can only be achieved with the help of a trained
professional.

Support Your Teen's Weight Loss Struggle

Lose weight before it's too late! Health issues arising from obesity is already
known to vast majority of people. Unfortunately, due to changes is the phase of
the modern day lifestyle, statistics show that 15 % of children aging 6 to 19
years of age are overweight (children and teens). What caused the change
compared to the last generation? It is hard to determine the real culprit
behind child obesity today.

More synthetic diets and fast living contributed a lot in the degradation of
quality eating habits of children. Harsh economic conditions push women to
enter in the working world. They are no longer fully in charge of the diet of
the family unlike in the 60's. Actually this has nothing to do with a woman
preparing the meal, but it is all about how much a mother would put extra
effort in keeping the health of the family at best.

Children today live a sedentary lifestyle facing the TV, computer and video
games without the guiding busy parents. A busy family with no time to do
domestic task would let money feed their stomach. There is enough money to
spend for the services of restaurants that pay no special concern other than
getting their menus consumed. The way of making recipes tasty are either
achieved by adding more oil and other harsh additives, which are not supposedly
a big part of the daily diet. The influx of easy meals available around every
corner are either fried or dredged with rich dressings. There is no more time
to give it a second look.

With the situation, there is no doubt the picture of obese teens marks the
proof of the reality. Before it's too late, something has to be done. In close
to impossible situations, weight loss programs specifically for teens have to
be sought.
It starts by a comprehensive visit to a professional who will determine the
factors affecting the teen's weight problem. It will be easy for a doctor to
diagnose how much weight has to be shed off by doing calculations of the mass
body index ration.

Actually anybody who has an understanding of this can easily determine his or
her weight versus height. This has nothing to do whether you only appear thin
or fat by other's opinion, the doctor will make sure to know how long the
program has to be followed. The major ailments accompanying obesity will be
given priority like rise and fall of blood sugar, blood pressure, heart
condition and blood circulation.

Weight loss program for teen will also deal with the psychological aspects on
how the teen can cope with its process. In this case, families are encouraged
not to inflict discriminating attitude towards the plight of an obese teen.
After all, it's partly the family's concern and lifestyle, which contributed to
the weight problem itself. A program has to be followed to develop the habit of
eating properly that goes along with healthy activities and daily routines.
There has to be exercise and movements instead of continuous confinement at
home during non-school days.

Formal and expensive weight loss program for teen may be an option for a
family, but it may not be needed if the child's excess weight is manageable.
Well-informed families can take do their own way of diet program approved and
consulted to a doctor.

Reality of Fast Weight Loss

Do think there is fast weight loss? Yes. The fastest weight loss a teen can do
is to stop eating or to starve until it can be tolerated. It is the worst thing
a teen can achieve as an empty goal. Starving can lead to serious health
conditions for some self-explanatory reason that eating is a basic need.

Not eating for quite longer will definitely not last long, especially for
healthy teens with hectic activities. Without explaining further, simply
starving is frustrating, tough to do when energy is needed at most during the
times of hurdling at school.

Talking about real regimen for fast weight loss for teens will lead you to
myriads of methods promoted by aggressive sales marketing people in the
consumer world. There is simply a drug created for every common ordeal in the
face of the earth.

Diet pills flood the papers with the promise of ramp model silhouette as
endorsed by top showbiz commercial personalities.

When an obese teen gazes at a slim lady doing ads of diet pills or delivering
some other scripted testimonials, there is a tendency to get lured by the
beauty on how they say the ad message. The reality will only be proven by
walking and looking around a crowded downtown where you can see people from all
walks of life, in all shapes and sizes. The ramp models comprise not more than
.8% at large.

It means the average people are not endowed with such appearance as seen on TV.
Wake up! The TV will only show the best part of the stage. There is only a wall
separating the re-enacted portrayals seen on shows, but behind is always the
gaping reality: not everyone is slim!

But teens are becoming influenced by social stigma to look great. It is
indirectly associated with being trim all the time. Sometimes it is not the
issue of being overweight or not, but you will realize, it has something to do
with wrong fat distribution in the body. People of same weight would definitely
look different: one may have wide hips, while the other might be endowed with
bulky upper body torso.

Breasts have weight too. Fats usually hide in favorite spots like the inner
thighs, lower and upper abdomen, belly, and arms. When too much fat are
noticeable in the said areas of the body, it surely becomes an annoying burden
to carry around all the time. Exercise can re-shape the ugly fat concentration,
but it takes courage to accept the simple truth that genetic make will always
take its course in one's physiological attribute.

For teens aspiring fast weight loss, forget it. Yes, there are fast ways to
weight loss but they will only lead to fast rebound of loss body fats if the
motivation to permanently keep trim is not seriously thought of. There are
accounts of success stories on slow weight loss regiment worked out of strong
determination on a daily basis.

It is a combination of good diet, exercise, and stress-free indulgence of
activities. Weight loss has to be one's goal in a very realistic sense. Fats
are stored in a slow fashion after the food and nutrients have been processed.
Therefore, the capability to think at hand is faster before one can pop a high
calorie serving of dessert in every meal. Open your mind! The best dieting tool
around is centered in one's brain --- the decision you make in every meal.

Exercise Is The Best Way to Lose Weight

There are a lot of people who are overweight. This did not happen overnight so
those who think this can disappear in a flash should think again.

There are many ways that the person can use to get rid of those excess pounds.
Although science has developed diet pills and some have developed diet
programs, the best way to lose weight is still through exercise.

Exercise is the best because it builds the person's endurance. As this
develops, it also increases ones metabolism prompting one to burn more calories
than before which results in weight loss.

Studies show that there are no known side effects when one decides to exercise.
The worse that can happen to a person is straining a muscle for failing to
stretch or by not giving the body enough time to recuperate before engaging in
another session.

Teens don't have to spend much in order to lose weight. This is because there
are some exercises that can be done at home. For instance, after stretching,
the person can go for a walking or jogging early in the morning thus burning a
few calories. Afterwards, the teen can do some push ups and sit ups to work on
the upper body and the abs.

The other way that will cost a little will be by enrolling in a gym. Here, a
fitness trainer can help the individual lose weight by coming up with a program
that involves cardio-vascular and aerobic activity.

Warm up will be running for a few miles on the treadmill followed by some
weight training using the various machines.

Teens who find it difficult to hire a trainer can make a workout after being
taught how to use the equipment while those who have fun with many people
around can join one of the classes being offered at the gym.

Some of the more popular group classes are aerobics, tae bo, Pilates and yoga.
The person should just check what time the classes are held since this may be
scheduled at different times of the day.

Those who are shy about being with other people but would still like to
participate in a class can get the DVD version instead. There are a lot of
these being sold in the video store or online which is just like being there
and attending the real session.

One of the most important things to remember while exercising is to drink lots
of water. People who fail to do this may suffer from heatstroke or dehydration
which is also not good for someone who wants to lose weight.

Before engaging in any exercise, it is advisable to see a doctor. The mind may
feel like it can do anything but if the body may say differently. The teen
should just do things gradually at first and then pick up the pace with other
exercises as time progresses.

Engaging in a sport is another form of exercise. Running down the court in a
game of basketball or football may not seem like much but it still increases
one's heart rate and burns those calories.

These examples just show that there are many ways how a teen can lose weight.
There are people out there who sometimes need a little push to get started.

Supplementing Teen Weight Loss

It is getting easier for teenagers today to put on weight. There are a number
of reasons that make this possible. One of them is the popularity of fast food
chains as the main source of daily nourishment for most of teenagers.

To say the least, the kind of food that such establishments provide can really
be fattening. And they can not provide the kind of balanced nourishment
required by growing teens. But sad to say, in this generation of convenience
and busier lifestyle, fast food chains have become an ideal choice especially
for the parents who might not find the time to prepare meals for their children.

When you realize that your teen is getting fatter and putting up more and more
weight, you have to act early in order to prevent it from getting worse. An
overweight teen can easily acquire a number of life threatening conditions such
as high blood pressure, diabetes and increased risk of strokes. Early action
would usually help in preventing such conditions from developing in your child
as he or she grows. There are a number of solutions available to help your lose
that excess weight.

You can put your overweight teen on a diet to help him or her get rid of that
excess weight. A healthy diet combined with regular exercise is essential to a
healthy way of losing weight. You can also give him or her weight loss
supplements that will further help in maintaining a healthy means of getting
rid of that excess weight. One of the supplements that your teen can possibly
take is calcium.

Most people are not aware that weight loss diets may sometimes affect the
amount of nutrients that the body gets. Some diets may promise quick weight
loss but may not be giving the body with the essential nutrients that it needs,
especially the bones. Calcium and other nutrients are sometimes in low supply
during periods of dieting which may lead to increased chances of developing
conditions such as osteoporosis.

Parents should be aware that dieting may lead to a low supply in calcium in
their teens. They should be able to provide their children with a variety of
calcium and other supplements so that the dieting teens would still be getting
all the essential nutrients they need to grow and develop. And not only that,
essential nutrients such as calcium may even aid your teenager in losing excess
weight. There have been numerous studies that show that calcium may help in
reducing body fat.

The reason for this is because calcium is a known fat burner. Diets with a
healthy amount of calcium seem to favor burning rather than storing fat in the
body. Calcium in the body is stored in fat cells and this plays an important
role in fat storage and breakdown. Calcium may be able to change the efficiency
of losing weight. Further studies have shown that dieters with the highest
overall calcium intake experience losing more weight, and the people with the
lowest calcium intake had the highest percentage of body fat.

When overall calorie consumption is taken into consideration, it not only helps
keep a person's weight in check, but it can also be associated specifically with
substantial decreases in body fat. A low daily calcium intake is associated with
greater tendency to gain weight, particularly in adolescent girls and adult
women.

A Teen Weight Loss Success Story

Teens can get into a variety of fun activities in order to lose weight. With
overweight teens getting increasingly more common nowadays, finding more
enjoyable ways of getting rid of excess weight.

Unique ways may appeal to more teenagers as they not only want to look at
losing weight as something that they have to do instead of being something that
they really want to do. Once they enjoy doing it, they have an increased
likelihood of keeping it up and become more successful in trying to lose weight.

But how can you make losing weight more fun? Well, exciting activities that
appeal to the teenager will likely do it. There is a story of a certain teenage
girl who lost weight simply by playing a video game. Now, what can be more
exciting and fun than that? Losing weight while playing a video game? This is
some story that is worth listening to.

This typical teenage girl makes use of her time at the arcade to lose weight.
She started playing a popular video game called "Dance Dance Revolution (DDR)"
at the age of 17. At that time, she was a senior in high school and weighed
about 235 lbs, pretty overweight for a teenage girl. But after four and a half
years of playing the said video game, she now weigh about 140 lbs.

She couldn't even imagine just how much a video game would come to affect her
health and weight concerns with positive results. The said video game even
helped her grow to be a better and more self-confident teen. Before discovering
the video game, she was a rather inactive person not used to go about doing such
activities.

Although she was active as a member in different bands, orchestras, drama, and
had already played video games, she didn't regularly get out for exercise. She
became really unhappy when she realized that she was at an unhealthy weight.
Just as what happens with most obese people, she started losing hope that she
will ever be a normal person again when faced with the fact that she had so
much weight to lose. The Internet became a form of escapism so that she didn't
have to face people in person because of her overweight condition.

In college, she became increasingly unhappy being in a new environment and her
weight continued to yo-yo, usually staying at around 235 lbs. Sometime around
October of 2002, a fun new game version of a game called DDR USA was released
that contained a ton of new songs to dance to. She tried the game out and soon
became addicted to the video game with a high activity rate. Not long after,
she began frequenting the video arcade almost everyday playing the video game
for hours and hours.

At one point, she came to discover a website which had a Bulletin Board where
people would meet online and talk about DDR and music games and she quickly
became friends with the regulars. She was able to get to know friends who were
able to motivate her to play more frequently and for hours at a time. It was
during around this time she began losing most of her weight.

In her first six months of playing, she was able to lose 45 lbs with no change
in her diet whatsoever. Once she discovered that she can find herself at a more
comfortable weight again, she decided to make healthy changes in her life such
as following a more healthy diet. She became more conscious of what she ate and
as a result, lost an additional 20 lbs.

Playing the game regularly and coupled with a healthy diet has allowed her to
maintain a healthier weight than she ever thought possible. All because she was
able to enjoy losing weight by playing a video game that changed her life.

Weight Loss Plan for Teens

Studies have shown that there are a lot of people who are either obese or
overweight. People can blame it on the food being served in the cafeteria or
the type of meals being served in the fast food joint but in the end, the only
one to blame is the person.

This is because everyone has a choice whether to live with a good diet plan or
not and those who are too heavy just decided to eat more than what is allowable.

Luckily, there is a way to stop this from getting any worse. There are doctors
and dietitians that the teen can go up to help create a weight loss plan.

Is there one plan out there suitable for every teen? The answer is no. This
will depend on the physical condition of the patient after an examination has
been conducted.

One of the advantages of losing weight while the person is still young is that
there are not that limitations compared to an adult. This allows the body to
burn calories much faster when engaging in a workout or playing a certain sport.

Since physical education class is not enough to get those calories, the doctor
can recommend that the patient work out in the gym or in the youth center.
These places have the equipment such as treadmills, weights and other sports
facilities that can cater to the weight loss plan.

Most people are advised to engage in a physical activity for 20 minutes three
times a week. Teens have a lot of energy and it wouldn't hurt to do this
everyday. Since the body may adapt to the changes, the doctor may recommend
some variations to help those extra pounds weekly.

The chances of getting the desired weight will not happen if the food being
consumed is not being monitored. The dietitian must also come up with a program
in order for this work.

The basic dietary plan is called the no nonsense balanced diet. This means
simply getting enough carbohydrates, proteins and fats in each meal because
there are many who put more emphasis on one or the other.

Having too much carbohydrates could be the cause for someone being overweight.
This can be stopped by following a low carb diet plan where the patient will
have to cut down on carbohydrates and replace this with food that is rich in
proteins and fats. People will see results in less than a month and just have
to continue to maintain the ideal weight.

Another option is the low calorie diet in which the teen will eat six small
meals a day instead of the three that people normally practice. This is
distributed during different hours of the day and is proven to works in just 14
days.

Aside from exercising and dieting, the weight loss plan involves getting enough
rest. This will allow the body to recharge from the activities of the day to be
prepared for the challenges tomorrow.

Overweight teens will not lose the excess pounds overnight. The teen can only
make this happen by following the doctor's advice with regards to the food
being consumed and with proper exercise.

One way to check on the effectiveness of the plan will be to go up the weighing
scale. If it is not working as projected, perhaps the teen can ask for another
weight loss plan given there are different ways that can make this happen.

Weight Loss Camp Solution For Obese Teens

Tired of doing all the thinking on how you can solve your teen's weight
problem? Why make it hard if you could send them to weight loss camp?

It is not an easy task to see your teen child is struggling with the
psychological stigma of being overweight. If you collected all the books, had
taken all the measures in getting involved with the disciplinary moves just to
help in the management, and still can't find the satisfactory result, then it
is time to step out. There are healthy solutions even for the most impossible
obstacles of a child's social problem. One of the good options is weight loss
camp for teens.

Weight loss camp for teens is a haven for those who have the problem with
weight. It is combined rapport handled by a trainer to groups of participants
suffering from losing weight in particular. They could motivate each other as a
group and promote positive result. They could share each other's background and
weaknesses, and in the end accept the mistakes and change in time. Of course,
it is not a kind of rehabilitation where people can just cry their angst on
some guilty indulgence. Weight loss camps offer variety of activities like
sports, exercise, lectures and relevant discussions to promote effective
solutions.

Weight loss camp is not necessarily for fat people only. Other people enroll
just to find the balance in between hectic schedules and for the sake of having
a good break. Summers are usually the best time to join a weight loss camp. The
weather is just perfect for most outdoor and fun activities to sweat all excess
fats.

The main essence of weight loss camp is not all about dreading to be trim. It
is built around strong motivation for people to keep an active life, release
stress and simply find means to healthy lifestyle. The group can establish good
camaraderie where every activity is geared to healthy relating.

A teen can indulge spending summers in weight loss camps, instead of hanging
around nowhere on binge gimmicks. Fast foods play roles in the increase of
obesity around the world in the modern age since the last decade of the
century. While teens are aware, they can't avoid the convenience.

Staying at weight loss camp will keep your teen focused on his or her goal. If
the family can accommodate the budget, they can also join the child in the
program. It could be the best support possible while at the same time spending
for a fruitful vacation. Actually, the sessions in the camp have to be taken
for fun and not as formal training and stressful objective.

After the time spent on the weight loss camp, it is important to maintain the
values learned. Make sure the bad habits have been ruled out to avoid feeling
worse in the onset of more weight gain. It means the exercises should be given
ample time.

The process of weight loss does not get accomplished over night. It is a
combination of frustration and shed amounts of budget from pocket. Entering
paid programs must come with discretion, unless it is the last resort. The
solutions vary from person to person. Some did it easily without cost, while
others spend a fortune. Which way is applicable to you? It will take discipline
to answer that.

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