It's never too early to start a healthy eating and exercise plan, but not all diets are healthy. Fad diets, or diets that involve eating the same thing over and over again for quick and easy weight loss, are not healthy or effective for teenagers or adults, according to the American Heart Association. Instead, focus on eating a variety of foods in moderation and staying active every single day.
Don't Drink Your Calories
Even if you're eating right and exercising, you won't be able to lose weight and keep it off if you're drinking soda all day long. Soda and sugary drinks, like fruit punch and sports drinks, are high in calories in the same way foods are. Instead of going to the vending machine and getting a soda after each class, stick with water, seltzer, and herbal or black tea. KidsHealth.com also recommends switching from full fat milk to skim milk to help drop additional pounds.
Exercise Daily
Staying active every single day is an essential step to staying healthy and losing weight. Teenagers need approximately 60 minutes of physical activity a day, according to the Mayo Clinic, but that doesn't mean you have to devote an entire hour in a row to traditional exercise. Instead, mix up your activities so they're fun and fit in with your daily schedule. Play tag in the park or go bike riding with your friends after school, and go for a quick walk before dinner. After dinner, shoot baskets with your brother or take a quick jog around the block.
Occasional Splurging is OK
Just because you've made the decision to lose weight doesn't mean you have to say goodbye to all of your favorite foods. Denying yourself the foods you love will only make you feel deprived. In order to maintain a healthy and permanent diet, eat a small amount of the foods you're craving and make wise choices. If you're dying for some fast food, get a small order of french fries or a grilled chicken sandwich instead of gorging yourself on the entire meal. Pair your cravings with healthier food items, like grilled vegetables made at home.
Snack to Lose Weight
Although snacking may seem counter intuitive to your weight loss goals, snacking during the day may actually keep you from eating too much during meals, according to KidsHealth.com. Pack sensible snacks in your backpack at school that you can munch on during class, like carrot and celery sticks with nonfat Italian dressing, whole wheat crackers with low-fat peanut butter, or a bag of walnuts, almonds and sunflower seeds. Healthy snacks will provide you with the energy you need throughout the day and prevent you from feeling so famished when the lunch bell rings.
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