Weight loss for teens is usually not quite the same animal as it is for adults. The human body essentially grows, develops, and changes dramatically all the way through the first twenty one or twenty two years. Thus, a thirteen or fourteen year old body will have different needs for attaining weight loss goals than a thirty year old body.
Weight loss pills for teens are really not a good idea. There is a risk of side effects for adults that are compounded when taken by a teenager. Natural and organic weight loss methods are much more effective for younger bodies. If you can mold the approach to the task at hand as a positive experience rather than a negative experience, teens can lose the weight without as much difficulty as adults.
Many teens that have weight problems are also suffering from self image problems. In many cases, the self image problems began before the weight was a significant problem. Building confidence, encouraging new hobbies and interests, and joining your child on the road to healthier living is part of dealing effectively with a weight problem.
This may very well also mean changing your own eating habits. Cooking healthier foods, eliminating the junk food cabinet, and developing a strong sense of how food is beneficial is part of tackling the issue. If there is a host of poor options in the house it is much more difficult for a teenager to make better food choices. If you're snacking on chips in front of the TV at night, they are not likely to choose an apple.
Exercise can be a teenager's idea of physical punishment. Yet it is essential to helping them lose the weight and develop healthy habits. Moving into the realm of exercise will be much more difficult if it seems like (to them) they are being punished for their weight. Make it fun. If there's a team they can join or if there's an activity they can participate in that will ultimately disguise the exercise as fun they are more likely to succeed. Most overweight teens resist not because they aren't interested in trying on the new activity but because their confidence in their ability is shaken.
Above all, talk to your child. Get their input about how they really feel and what road looks like a good one to travel. Listen to their concerns, fears, and feelings while helping them put together a plan to slim down. They don't have to slim down to an unrealistically skinny weight, but you do want to help them figure out how to care for their bodies in a more self loving way.
Weight loss pills for teens are really not a good idea. There is a risk of side effects for adults that are compounded when taken by a teenager. Natural and organic weight loss methods are much more effective for younger bodies. If you can mold the approach to the task at hand as a positive experience rather than a negative experience, teens can lose the weight without as much difficulty as adults.
Many teens that have weight problems are also suffering from self image problems. In many cases, the self image problems began before the weight was a significant problem. Building confidence, encouraging new hobbies and interests, and joining your child on the road to healthier living is part of dealing effectively with a weight problem.
This may very well also mean changing your own eating habits. Cooking healthier foods, eliminating the junk food cabinet, and developing a strong sense of how food is beneficial is part of tackling the issue. If there is a host of poor options in the house it is much more difficult for a teenager to make better food choices. If you're snacking on chips in front of the TV at night, they are not likely to choose an apple.
Exercise can be a teenager's idea of physical punishment. Yet it is essential to helping them lose the weight and develop healthy habits. Moving into the realm of exercise will be much more difficult if it seems like (to them) they are being punished for their weight. Make it fun. If there's a team they can join or if there's an activity they can participate in that will ultimately disguise the exercise as fun they are more likely to succeed. Most overweight teens resist not because they aren't interested in trying on the new activity but because their confidence in their ability is shaken.
Above all, talk to your child. Get their input about how they really feel and what road looks like a good one to travel. Listen to their concerns, fears, and feelings while helping them put together a plan to slim down. They don't have to slim down to an unrealistically skinny weight, but you do want to help them figure out how to care for their bodies in a more self loving way.
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