According to Susan Bartell, author of "Dr. Susan's Girls-Only Weight Loss Guide," the best time to combat obesity is in childhood, before destructive habits have had years to root. The only way to lose weight fast is to re-create your lifestyle. This is a challenging process that requires commitment, perseverance and a plan, but if you can form healthy new habits, then you can lose the extra weight and keep it off for life.
Step 1
Resist temptation. Teenagers often don't control what types of foods are in their house and need to rely on willpower to get out of sticky situations. Wear a bracelet around each wrist, and let your family and friends know that you will remove a bracelet each time you break your diet goals. This will help you remember and give you a social incentive to avoid temptation.
Step 2
Wait five minutes before eating a second serving. It takes time to feel full, and it is easy to overeat because you still feel hungry. Simply by waiting a few minutes before eating again can save you a couple of hundred calories each day.
Step 3
Keep your metabolism as high as possible by eating a meal or healthy snack every three hours. Never skip a meal or starve yourself. This type of fasting can help you see short-term weight loss, but it also slows down your metabolism and can lead to greater weight gains when you resume normal eating.
Step 4
Begin exercising regularly. Do cardiovascular exercises such as in-line skating or jogging to burn off calories. Engage in two strength-training sessions each week to increase your muscle-to-fat ratio, which boosts your resting metabolism and burns calories even when you aren't exercising.
Tips and Warnings
- Talk to your parents about their grocery spending. Ask them to help you reach your weight-loss goals by purchasing healthy foods and not bringing candy or soda into the house.
- Check with your doctor before starting out any exercise program.
References
- "Weight Loss Confidential: How Teens Lose Weight and Keep It Off -- and What They Wish Parents Knew"; Anne M. Fletcher and Holly Wyatt; 2008
- Anne Collins: Weight Loss Advice for Teens
- "Dr. Susan's Girls-Only Weight Loss Guide: The Easy, Fun Way to Look and Feel Good!"; Susan S. Bartell; 2006
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