For many, losing weight is a health issue -- excess pounds can increase the risk of a number of unwanted conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. But there are many people in the world who seek weight loss for reasons related to body image. Teen girls are often considered the most fragile to the ill-effects of having a poor body image, but teen boys can also struggle with their bodies. Losing weight fast is a relative term -- MayoClinic.com suggests that losing one to two pounds per week on average is the fastest healthy pace for weight loss -- but with teens, it is even more important to lose weight in a way that is maintainable and safe.
Step 1
Join a sport or activity. High schools offer athletic programs to teen boys that allow them to get daily exercise with several other fringe benefits, including elevated self-esteem and self-confidence. Some sports will promote weight loss more than others -- for example, cross country, track and swimming will lead to more total weight loss than baseball -- but any activity will increase the number of calories burned in a day. If organized sports are not an option, consider simply playing outside after school.
Step 2
Eat breakfast. It might not seem like the road to weight loss starts with eating a meal right out of bed, but consistently eating breakfast before you leave for school helps boost your body's metabolism and provide you with energy to get through your day. It can also protect you from gorging at lunch time.
Step 3
Revamp your daily diet to feature plenty of fruits and vegetables, which are high in water content and low in calories. They are also filled with important vitamins and minerals to help you grow properly. In addition to these foods, whole grains will provide your body with fiber needed to cleanse itself of unwanted contaminants. Low-fat or skim milk products and lean meats will reduce the amount of fat coming into your body.
Step 4
Discuss your weight loss goals with family members and/or a school counselor. It is important that other individuals be available to encourage you and offer advice as you try to lose weight, but you also need adults watching out for you and making sure you are approaching weight loss in a healthy way. Go to these people for encouragement when you fall short of your goals, and ask them to hold you accountable for your actions.
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