If you are a teenager and believe that you are overweight, you're likely desperate to find a safe, fast and effective solution for losing weight. MayoClinic.com notes that teen obesity is a serious problem. Among other issues, it contributes to the development of diabetes, heart disease, joint problems and other health issues later in life. By adopting health habits now, you can shed pounds and improve your overall well-being. No financial investment is necessary for weight loss success.
Considerations
Before you begin any weight loss program, consider your reasons for doing so. If you want to lose weight for reasons of vanity -- because you think it will make you more popular or attractive -- you may want to reconsider. There is no such thing as a perfect body, and losing weight won't gain you any extra approval among real friends. But, if you are overweight and want to lose weight because you're concerned about your health, you have your priorities are safe, healthy and realistic. If you're not sure if you're overweight, talk to your parents about scheduling a doctor's visit.
What Doesn't Work
Healthy weight loss is almost always free. Any advertised weight loss technique that costs money is not legitimate or it is something that you could accomplish on your own without any financial investment. MayoClinic.com urges you to avoid over-the-counter weight loss supplements, which are often ineffective or potentially dangerous. You should also shy away from radical crash diets, which promise instant weight loss in exchange for several days or weeks of near-starvation. These programs tend to backfire and result in weight gain, or they lead to dangerous eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa.
Reduced Calorie Intake
The only safe, healthy way to lose weight is to simultaneously decrease your calorie intake while increasing your calorie expenditure. To do this, it is important to decrease your intake of dietary calories, meaning that you need to consume healthier foods with a lower calorie density. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, which have a low number of calories by volume, and a diet low in high calorie-density foods such as meat, sugar and fried foods.
Physical Exercise
Regular physical activity is essential for enabling weight loss at any age, including during the teen years. Exercise forces your body to expend more calories. Unless you are also eating more food, your body will inevitably burn its fat stores to provide energy for physical activity. Exercise doesn't necessarily mean a tough day at the gym; it involves activities throughout your daily routine. Try walking for 20 minutes per day, starting a garden, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, and parking at the far end of the lot. These simple changes can lead to weight loss success.
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