Losing weight is a challenging endeavor for any teenager. If your teen is overweight and would like to shed pounds quickly, there are several things you can do to help her begin the process. Your teenager may be worried about the way she looks, but if you teach her the importance of eating right and exercising in addition to improving her self-image, she will be able to begin losing weight in as little as ten days.
Step 1
Cut out snacks and reduce portion sizes. According to Anne M. Fletcher and Holly Wyatt, authors of "Weight Loss Confidential: How Teens Lose Weight and Keep It Off--And What They Wish Parents Knew," your teen will need to reduce how many snacks she eats as well as reduce how much she eats at meals to begin losing weight quickly.
Eliminate high fat, high calorie and sugary snack foods from your pantry and cupboards to reduce temptation. Offer smaller portions at meal times to also reduce how much food your teen eats. In ten days, your teenager will have eliminated enough calories to begin losing pounds.
Step 2
Eliminate sweets and soda from your diet. Cookies, candy, cake and soda are not nutritious foods and the calories from them add up. Kids Health recommends avoiding these foods and drinks to begin losing weight quickly because they contain hundreds of calories that will prevent your teen from shedding pounds.
Your teen can eliminate 150 calories simply by cutting one soda per day out of her diet, says Kids Health. Fletcher and Wyatt add that keeping sugary foods out of your teen's diet will result in an immediate increase in energy, which will also help her lose weight.
Step 3
Increase servings of healthy food options to replace less nutritious options. Kids Health suggests replacing unhealthy snacks and meal options with fresh fruits and vegetables to reduce the amount of calories your teen eats as well as boost her consumption of vitamins and minerals. Replacing white breads, cereals and pastas with whole grain options is another way to cut calories and increase nutrition.
Step 4
Add exercise to burn calories and lose pounds. In order for your teen to lose weight in ten days, she will need to burn more calories than she consumes, and physical activity is an effective way to burn calories quickly. Fletcher and Wyatt write that many teens spend too much time watching television or playing video games and not enough time exercising. Provide your teen with home exercise equipment or workout DVDs to encourage her to get active and burn calories.
Step 5
Allow small treats. Kids Health reports that completely cutting favorite foods out will make your teen feel deprived and could set her up to fail. Enjoying a small treat will satisfy your teen's craving for her favorite snacks or desserts while still encouraging her to keep losing pounds.
Your teen will need to learn how to balance her diet to successfully begin losing weight in ten days. If she chooses to have a piece of cake, for example, she can should make healthy choices for the rest of the day.
Tips and Warnings
- Offer your teen support to keep her on track. You might consider making changes to your own diet so you can work together to lose weight in ten days.
- Always consult your teen's doctor before encouraging her to begin a diet or weight loss program.
Things You'll Need
- Healthy food options
- Exercise equipment
- Exercise DVDs
References
- "Weight Loss Confidential: How Teens Lose Weight and Keep It Off--And What They Wish Parents Knew"; Anne M. Fletcher and Holly Wyatt; 2006
- Kids Health: How Can I Lose Weight Safely?
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