Have you secretly wished to have a figure like your favorite thin supermodel? Does that make you feel bad for your overweight body? The good news is that you can lose weight if you adopt certain simple lifestyle modifications.
Weight management is important not just to maintain a good body form but also to prevent the risk of many diseases. While obesity is a major problem amongst teenage girls do not fall for unnecessary and undue dieting options for the sake of becoming thin.
Puberty
It is a changing phase of your life and the hormones released during this period bring about many changes in your body and mind too. You might gain weight during this phase and there can be excess fat deposition around waist and hips. Additionally, there may be mood changes, which can affect your eating habits also.
Losing weight
While you cannot do much about the natural features, you can certainly do a lot to control the external factors. In order to lose weight, you need to incorporate certain lifestyle changes that will keep you healthy forever. Crash diets or some fad diets are not a very good choice, as they are not helpful in the long run.
Healthy diet – Losing weight does not mean an empty plate for meal. You can make healthier food choices instead. You need to focus on taking more proteins in order to aid your growing phase and have strong muscles.
- You can eat whole grain bread, egg whites, fruit and vegetable salads, low fat milk products, unsweetened juices etc.
- Drink plenty of water, around 6-8 glasses a day. This will also keep your skin healthy and glowing.
- Carry snack boxes packed with fruits, veggies or crackers from home and refrain from eating outside.
- Avoid sweets, chocolates, cakes, chips, fast food and sodas.
Physical activity – Diet alone is of no use and you need to be physically active and burn excess calories. Make calorie-burning a habit for the body by adopting a healthy routine.
- Go for walks or jogging for an hour daily and be active even otherwise.
- Do strengthening exercises, at least thrice a week which can also give you a flat, toned abdomen.
- Join aerobics, sports or dance of your choice. This will also keep your mood uplifted and you will be less tempted towards unhealthy food.
Sample meal plans for teen girls
Breakfast:
- 1 apple
- 1 cup of cereal flakes with milk
Lunch:
- 1 baked chicken slice
- 1 bowl cucumber and beet salad
- ½ cup plain yoghurt
Dinner:
- 1 bowl of veggies salad
- 1 piece of tuna
- 1 fruit
In between: 2-3 nuts OR 1 glass plain buttermilk OR popcorn
Weight loss tips
- Have realistic goals and take small steps. Shed some pounds every month and keep your program going. Losing more weight in short span is not only temporary but also dangerous.
- Eat only when hungry. Have healthy food choices at hand. Take small portions of servings.
- Have friends with similar goals and enjoy losing weight with their company. Go for walks or other activities together and make weight losing equally pleasurable.
