Being obese is hard on any person. Being an obese teen is even harder. If you are a teenager struggling with weight problems, remember that it is inner beauty that counts. Still, obesity can lead to many health problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, sleep apnea and asthma. The right health habits and strategies, however, can help you do something about your weight.
Understanding
Obesity occurs when the body consumes more calories than it uses. Excess calories are stored within the body as fat. About 2000 calories a day is recommended on average, but this can vary according to age, sex and activity level. In general, if you exceed the appropriate number of calories, your body will convert the excess to fat and you will gain weight.
Coping
Try these suggestions to help you cope with your weight problem: confide in someone you can trust; keep a journal or diary to record your feelings and express pain and anger; consider enrolling in a group therapy program with other teens who are going through similar problems; and become more active by getting out more, even if it's just to go to the park or the mall.
Exercises
Exercising is one of the best ways to get rid of unwanted fat. Among the best exercises are walking, which helps tone the muscles in your legs and thighs; jogging, which helps you burn calories at a high rate; swimming, an ideal low-impact form of exercise that can keep stress of your joints; and riding a bicycle for at least a mile a day.
Diet
Healthy eating is important in maintaining a healthy new you. What you don't want to do as an overweight adolescent is to eat with no purpose. Consuming too many calories results in unwanted body fat. Organize your diet around the appropriate foods in the food pyramid. Avoid greasy, fried foods, and steer more toward baked and grilled foods. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains play a huge role in eating healthy.
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