Obesity is on the rise for teenagers as well as adults, and the health risks related to being overweight are threatening more and more teens. However, teens have special nutritional needs that make them particularly vulnerable to the dangers of a poorly planned diet. Growth spurts and bodily changes mean that teenagers require high levels of energy, calcium, fiber, and iron, among other nutrients. Here are some teen weight loss tips that can help stay healthy while losing weight.
1. Get More Exercise
Weight loss can be achieved not only by cutting back calories, but also by increasing the number of calories that you burn through exercise. By focusing on weight loss through exercise, you can burn off those extra pounds without cutting back on the essential nutrients that you need. Join a swim team, get your friends together for volleyball matches on the weekends, or simply walk around your neighborhood, but get outside and get moving.
2. Eat More Complex Carbs
Your body uses carbohydrates as a source of energy, which it particularly needs in the teenage years. Simple carbohydrates, like sugars and unrefined flours, give your body a quick jolt of energy that wears off quickly, leaving you feeling drained and hungry once again. On the other hand, complex carbs like wild rice, oatmeal, and cauliflower are broken down by the body more slowly. This gives you long-lasting energy without the sugar crash, and it also makes you feel more satisfied.
3. Don't Skip Meals
With the pressure of going to school, doing homework, and having a social life, it can be tempting to save time by skipping meals - especially breakfast. However, skipping meals deprives your body of the nutrition it needs, reduces your energy levels, and can send your body into starvation mode, which makes it harder to lose weight.
4. Set Reasonable Goals
If you are determined to lose too much weight too quickly, you are setting yourself up for failure and disappointment. Speak with your doctor to decide upon a reasonable weight loss plan for your situation. Don't be too hard on yourself - weight loss is tough for teens as well as for adults, and it's going to take some time to achieve your ideal weight.
Related Articles
5 Ways to Help your Teen Lose Weight
By: Naresh Belliyappa | 11/03/2007 | Weight Loss
Losing weight is a major preoccupation among teens, not least because they are bombarded almost every waking moment of their lives with images of celebrities, many not much older than themselves, with sleek, well groomed and extremely slender bodies. At a time of physical and emotional turmoil, the last thing that a teen needs is the added pressure of not conforming to accepted standards of beauty. Small wonder then, if today's teens have learnt to view their bodies with distrust and apprehension.
Can't Lose Weight? Syndrome X May Be the Culprit
By: Dan Farrell | 19/10/2005 | Weight Loss
"I've put on 40 pounds in one year!" "It doesn't matter how much I workout, I can't lose weight." "My doctor must think I'm eating pizzas in the closet."
Want To Lose Fat? Build Muscle!
By: Shawn Lebrun | 01/12/2005 | Fitness
If you want to lose fat, start focusing on trying to build muscle. This article by personal trainer Shawn LeBrun shows you how weight training and building muscle mass also helps you lose more body fat over time.
Is The Mediterranean Diet New?
By: Roy Barker | 23/12/2005 | Fitness
Over the course of the past decade, more and more people in different parts of the world have become aware of the Mediterranean diet regimen. Because the Mediterranean diet has been gaining attention internationally in recent years, many men and women ha
Lose Weight by Eating Breakfast and Drinking Milk
By: Junji Takano | 22/01/2006 | Health
Eating breakfast everyday is a big part of losing weight. Many people skip breakfast, thinking it will lose weight. This can result in eating more. Eat breakfast combined with eggs and milk and you’re on the way to success.
4 Steps To A New Lifestyle For A Slimmer, Healthier, Happier YOU!
By: William Siebler | 14/02/2006 | Weight Loss
So you want to lose weight to look better and feel better. You are not alone. You have the same desire and need as millions of others out there want to look better, feel better, live longer...
How To Measure Body Fat At Home|Best Body Weight Measurement Method?
By: Chris Chew | 23/03/2006 | Health
In order to maintain a healthy weight management program, you need to know how to measure your body fat accurately.
If You Want To Live Longer Just Lose Weight!
By: Glenn Freiboth | 06/04/2006 | Fitness
People go on weight loss diets a variety of reasons including health reasons or trying to fit into new summer beach cloths. If you are going to go on a weight loss diet program, think about the reasons for why you want to do it in the first place.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
What r some good girl on girl pranks ...
By: kayladramaqueen | 20-07-2008
what r some good girl on girl pranks??
exspecially if u need to get someone bck for the old shaving cream and feather trick...?
Teen fun websites
By: rockerchick0893 | 18-07-2008
im lokin for teen websites that have chatroom and games and that are fun.
14 yr.old girl killed in car accident
By: tazz65 | 15-07-2008
My son was told that his girlfriend was killed in an automobile accident . Sad to say, I do not know what county it occurred in. She was in Georgia at the time. This just recently happened within the past few days, between the 12-14th of July 2008. Her name is Huntar Courvelle,(not sure on the correct spelling of her last name). Anyones help is appreciated. She and her mother were involved in an accident. I do not know the mothers first name. Anyone help would be appreciated.
Conselor class for teen in Bronx, ny 10466.Anger ...
By: KD | 14-07-2008
Conselor class for teen in Bronx, ny 10466.Anger help??
Thank you
Rosa
Are there any teen night clubs in Bergen County NJ ...
By: julieoutback | 14-07-2008
Are there any teen night clubs in Bergen County NJ? I would like to send my son and some of his friends for a night out on his 18th birthday.
I am almost 5 months pregnant now, with my first ...
By: trewhukuo56 | 23-06-2008
I am almost 5 months pregnant now, with my first child and my tooth (the last back upper tooth on my left side.. if that makes scence) is broken, basically shattered and hurting like crazy!last i seen my dentist he sed it would need to be pulled. but when i found out i was prego i decided to hold off as long as i could. everyone else agreed. but since then it has broken another 2x and now its hurting. im scared of all the possibilities and am now seeking advice.
Q&A Powered by:
More from Carl Walker
How To Find The Best Weight Loss Program
By: Carl Walker | 03/07/2007 | Health
There are a ton of companies out there who promise to help you lose weight. How can you tell the companies that will waste your time, money, and energy from the ones that will actually help you achieve your goals? Here are some questions that will help you...
Understanding What Voip Phone Service Is
By: Carl Walker | 02/07/2007 | Computers
Voice over internet protocol is what voiP stands for and the ingenious technology allows you to use your internet connection to place and receive phone calls in and around the country as well as international calls. You can do away with traditional dial up phone services and save money as...
How To Find VoIP Providers That Have What You Need
By: Carl Walker | 26/06/2007 | Computers
If you need a phone service and you just cannot justify paying your local phone service prices. You might be better off with a voiP provider that offers you a phone service with an affordable price. Here are just a few of the higher rated voiP providers:
Skype
NiteVoiP
VoiP.com
...
Why Are Weight Loss Plans So Important?
By: Carl Walker | 26/06/2007 | Health
The biggest barrier to losing weight is how easy it is to get frustrated and give up when the pounds are not dropping off as quickly as you had hoped. Weight loss rarely happens at a sure and steady pace, and everyone who tries it is going to be...
Five Tips For Healthy Weight Loss
By: Carl Walker | 24/06/2007 | Health
If you want to lose weight, it isn't enough to simply go on a diet - you have to make a change in your entire lifestyle. This is a difficult task, and many people do more harm to themselves than good as they pursue it. Here are five...
Is Free Voip Worth Having?
By: Carl Walker | 24/06/2007 | Computers
In the end, free voiP can cause more problems than your landline. You might save a few dollars, but your ability to use the service may become difficult when your internet service is having problems. Since you can use the calling system from your computer, you need more security in...
How To Use Weight Loss Calculators
By: Carl Walker | 24/06/2007 | Health
Anyone who reads information about losing weight is certain to hear a lot of talk about calories. Cutting calories, burning calories, substituting calories - all of these and more are frequent topics of discussion for dieters. But how many calories are you currently consuming? What effect will cutting back on...
Walking Meditation: A Simple Way To Meditate Almost Any Time
By: Carl Walker | 20/06/2007 | Self Help
Most Westerners think of meditation as someone sitting down, cross legged with their eyes closed and probably chanting some kind of mantra over and over again.
But that is only one of the ways that people can practice meditation.
Meditating can also be performed standing up, lying down or walking.
Today, we're going...
Health 
