How Teens Can Lose Weight Quickly and Safely

Being overweight does not only hamper the health of adults, but it can be harmful to teenagers and children as well. Thus, if you are a teenager and feel troubled by the extra weight, then do not wait any longer before finding a suitable weight loss program specially designed for teenagers that you think will work well for your body.

Below are provided a few valuable teen weight loss tips which you will find in many of the best weight loss programs for teens, and that have been prescribed by nutritionist experts in order to help a teen fight a weight problem.

Overweight is often caused due to the excessive consumption of food, and the best types of weight loss programs for teens are those that suggest controlling the amount of food they consume daily, especially those high in fat and oil. Also, it’s important that they avoid milk products, as well as all sorts of junk food and artificial drinks.

Another matter that you will find discussed in most of the good weight loss programs for teens, is that they suggest drinking lots of water, as well as incorporating fresh fruit, raw vegetables and fibrous foods into their diets. It is important they balance the nutrient content in their body by using these, as they will have reduced the amount of food they are eating.

If you can, get them to replace normal snacks (junk food) with some thing that is healthier. Why not get them to have frozen grapes, cherry tomatoes, baby carrots or a low fat pudding or yogurt, instead of what they would normally snack on?

Also, suggest that they carry out some form of physical activity for a few hours each day. Any form of physical activity will help burn off those extra calories. This is the most important step you will find in any of the best weight loss programs that have been specially developed for teenagers.

However, the most important suggestion of all is that you must nurture your teen…a strong will is required in order to follow the diet program of their choice religiously. Otherwise, no matter how good the weight loss program is, it will not help your teen to lose weight if not followed correctly. They may find it to be hard work initially, but the end results will be worth the pain and suffering they go through in the beginning.

The 7 Step Program For Curing Child Obesity

Are Eggs Vegetarian ?

Eggs are of two kinds :

First: Eggs which are hatched out to chicks coming into physical contact with the cocks.

Second: Eggs which can not.
Just as women expels the menstrual matter every month, hens lay egg periodically.

These eggs are expulsion of unwanted matter from the hen's uterus. To make more money out of these eggs, commercial promoters are now describing them as vegetarian eggs, "ahinsak" eggs. But these are not vegetable products.

As soon as the hens lay eggs these hens are roll out of the grader net and these hens are deprived of the intinctive satisfaction of brooding over the eggs.

This is done because a hen which does not sit on the egg lays another egg quickly.

TV Exposes Suffering of " Spent Hens "

Whereby they are starved for up to two weeks to "rest" their hormones, so that when they are finally fed, they will produce more and larger eggs. After the last burst of fertility, they are no longer of economic value to the egg producers.

They are kept constantly awake throughout day and night under artificial light. This is done to make them eat more and more so that they may start laying eggs soon.

Many hens are crowded in the cages that they can not even flutter their wings. In the tense crowd they peck at each other, get wounded, become irritated and suffer tortures.

When their egg laying capacity diminishes these are sent to the slaughter houses.

They are buried a live or brutally thrown by one leg or one wing into garbage cans. Workers stomp on the piles of live chickens to squash down the pile, so they can add more chickens on top.

So, how can eggs extracted in this manner be called vegetarian ?

I am Not a Vegetarian

" We are what we eat"

Most popular myth :

' If i don't eat meat, i would suffer from lack of protein!!"

But......

Elephant is a powerful animal....yet he never eats meat !!!

Researchers at Max Planck Institiute, Germany have shawn :

" Most vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, and grains are excellent sources of complete proteins."

For more encourgement to think about being a vegetarian here are some famous vegetarians in the world :

1- Albert Einstein.

2- Isaac Newton.

3- Mahatma Gandhi.

4- Plato.

5- Socrates.

6- Pythagores.

7- Leonardo Da Vinci.

8- Bill Pearl ( Mr.Universe)

9- Andreas Cahling ( Mr.International)

10- Al Beckles ( Top body builder of 60s)

11- Jack Lalanne ( Elite fitness trainer)

12- Larry Bird ( All time great basketball player)

13- Greg Chappell ( Former Australian cricketer)

14- Carl Lewis.

15- Edwin Moses ( 400m hurdles world record holder)

16- Billy Jean King ( Tennis champion)

Easy, Healthy, And Delicious Chinese Vegetarian Cookbook Package.

Think Clean and Green for Beautiful Skin

Let’s accept the fact: many of us are skin conscious. As much as possible, we wanted to have a fresh, good looking skin. However, many of us failed to recognize that simple steps are the best ways to attain it. We just tend to ignore what is actually right or wrong for our skin. We tend to buy some beauty products that just worsen whatever skin imperfections we have as it turns out in the end. So, now is the time for change. We must do something to beat up all those bothering skin conditions we have.

Think and Act CLEAN

One thing that is true in our society since the early days is, some companies, if not all, that produce skin care products would like you to believe that a perfect, beautiful complexion can be purchased in a jar. But the truth is, a truly radiant, blemish free and moist skin is a result of being clean. If I say “clean”, it means clean from deep within and not just skin deep.

Most of the medical professionals commonly suggest that people with skin problems must practice certain skin care methods that will help improve the condition of the skin. One of the most recommended ways is to clean the skin gently by washing it with a mild cleanser, at least once in the morning and once in the evening, as well as after a heavy work out. But behind that way, there is one thing that’s very crucial for maintaining a beautiful skin, and that is: to create clean blood that continuously supplies wonderful nutrients right to the doorway of each and every cell in your body. If you will start practicing this, there’s no doubt that you’re well on your way to having beautiful skin.

But, how can you make it possible?

Well, these days keeping toxins out of your blood and organs in the body seems difficult. The primary reason is that, most of us dwell in a “sea” of chemicals and drugs. We even eat mostly refined foods. Now, if your main “goal” is a healthy and beautiful skin, then it’s now time for you to have a somewhat conscious effort to cleanse these dangerous substances out of your system while placing in the finest nutrients. There is a particular good news that you must know about your own system, that is, your body is constantly in a cleansing mode. It was created with the ability to drive out toxins as long as the energy necessary for it to function is supplied.

The bottom line is: cleansing energy is more abundant when you supply your body with the nutritious foods. Note the word “nutritious”.

Main Organs That Keep Your Skin Beautiful

Our body is made up of different organs that are responsible for providing us with beautiful and healthy skin. These specifically include:

• Liver
• Kidneys
• Adrenals
• Thyroid
• Large Intestines
• Small Intestines

Note that with these organs mentioned, you are accountable to them as well. It is now your role to keep them clean at all times. You will just find out in the end that beautiful skin will result from your daily efforts.

Liver and Kidneys

It is interesting to know that our liver and kidneys are the two filtering organs that provide ongoing “housecleaning services”, as I prefer to call it, constantly. You must be aware that these days, these organs are seriously well-worn and even underpaid. So, why overload them with outside challenges? Is it hard for you to just protect them from outside harm? It’s not that hard though. Simply feed them well and they will keep you, including your skin healthy in the end.

Adrenals

Also, lying on top of your kidneys are your walnut-sized adrenals. These organs are often called the “workhorses” of the human body perhaps for the reason that they are responsible for making a number of essential hormones like the DHEA, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and pregnenolone. Speaking of hormones, it is necessary to note that healthy hormones are the essential ingredient when seeking energy, as well as healthy skin.

Thyroid

It is often said that if your thyroid is well nourished and energetic, it is capable of providing hormones and works closely with your adrenals to form essential energy. Note that a dry, sluggish and flaky skin is actually the evidence of a weak thyroid. So, strengthen it.

Large and Small Intestines

Studies have revealed that the general well being of one’s liver, kidneys, adrenals and thyroid is dependent on the general condition of the small and large intestines. Aside from providing nutrients to these organs, the small and large intestines hold the responsibility of removing whatever waste product is accumulated in the body. If the small and large intestines failed to perform this role, the waste that was meant for elimination will remain in your intestines and this will result to thickening of the skin, which will eventually produce oils and blemishes. Clean intestines actually mirror a pure and flawless skin.

Several reports have noted that drugs, alcohol, chemicals and heavy metals like mercury and lead do daily damage to millions of people in the world. The liver is primarily damaged by the refined oils containing trans-fatty acids, while the kidneys are damaged by the common table salt that is devoid of natural minerals. Perhaps the main reason for this is the fact that thousands of processed foods that people usually consume everyday have trans-fats and refined salt. In addition, it was found out that those pasteurized as well as homogenized dairy products tend to clog the kidneys, thus they must be avoided. But, to attain a healthy and beautiful skin, you definitely need to add foods into your diet that nourish those mentioned six organs of the beauty.

Think GREEN

Today, there is what many dermatologists call as “Spring”. In Chinese medicine, spring is the season when the liver cleanses and heals naturally by way of driving out the dangerous toxins that were accumulated in the body through the refined foods that we eat. Many experts suggest green foods, including chlorella, as they are said to be excellent for the liver. Note that green foods refer to those green leafy veggies such as spinach, kale, dandelion greens and broccoli. These foods are what many people consider as the “especially wonderful foods”. Now, for a healthy and beautiful skin, have them cooked, raw, juiced and even cultured.

More Foods Necessary for Nourishing Your Body and Skin

Generally, super food formulas provide a mix of nutrients necessary for the body and skin. These include the cereal grasses, algae and green veggies. So, it is best for you to look for one that contains organic ingredients, but also note that the food was designed to heal and nourish the small and large intestines. It is often said that such foods are ideal in the morning for the reason that they assist your blood to alkalize. Also, they are pleasant to take than a handful of supplements. They even provide minerals, fatty acids and protein to the body.

Other foods known to contribute to healthy skin include the raw and virgin fats and oils. One particular perfect source is the coconut oil, which is especially good for the thyroid. Also, mineral-rich food such as dark green leafy vegetables, ocean vegetables and seafood are important. And, the antioxidant-rich foods like black currant and blueberry juice and green tea are a daily must as well.

Furthermore, there is one more group foods that is worth mentioning – the fermented or cultured foods. These foods are actually found in every traditional culture around the world and many have considered these as the news stars of a wholesome diet. Just like some of the above mentioned foods, they are necessary for maintaining a healthy and wonderful skin.

As presented, there are a lot of ways to attain and maintain a beautiful skin. All you need to consider is to exert some efforts on changing your habits. Eating nutritious foods such as those mentioned above are perhaps one of the most necessary moves to consider if you want a good looking skin. Simply think clean and green and have a beautiful skin.

Saudi Arabia consumes 7 billion cups of tea

The statistics issued recently that the Saudi Kingdom is ranked second in the Arab world consumption of tea, where consumption of the Saudi market up to 7 billion cups annually cost of spending up to 170 million dollars.

He explained Dr. Khalid AlMadni consultant therapeutic feeding that studies and research on tea in it's healthy side witnessed considerable progress during the past few years, which emerged in the United States around 1000 study.

Dr. AlMadni confirmed that Tea is one of the most important beverage after water which provides the body with liquids without adding calories to body where the tea contains no calories in the case not to add milk or sugar to it.

And he explained that tea contains antioxidants, which represent a kind of protection against cardiovascular disease and cancer.

It also contains some materials which improve the functions of the brain, in addition to materials represent a kind of protection against Almaekerobac diseases and infections.

Quoting from newspaper "Al-Riyadh" Saudi Arabia

Beauty Tips for a Healthy, Glowing Skin

Many of us are skin conscious. We often want our skin to look young and healthy and we really do something just to protect our skin from whatever possible harms there may be in our environment. Well, our skin is our largest organ performing several functions. It primarily protects us against the invasion of foreign substances and it serves as the transfer point for the release of toxins from our bodies, thus our skin is just worthy of protection and care.

Now, if you found yourself coveting the gorgeous skin of fashion models and celebrities in most of today’s magazines, here are some tips that will help you on for a beautiful skin.

Tip #1: Drink Water

It is often said that the simplest way to clear and supple skin that is no longer dry is to drink plenty of water. Water has long been considered as the most effective natural treatment or an almost free treatment for any skin condition because of its being alkaline, with pH 7.3. It prevents dehydration which is capable of producing sebum or oil from the sebaceous glands. Your skin needs water in order for it to function best, thus doctors and nutritionists recommend that a daily intake of between 6 to 8 glasses of water per day is highly needed.

Tip #2: Watch Your Diet

Nutrition plays a vital role in skin health too. Specific foods such as those acidic foods and dairy products are said to be potent in causing an allergic reaction in some people. Also, one of the widely debated topics in the area of nutrition today is chocolates. Some say that chocolate does affect the condition of the skin, while others say it doesn’t. Whatever the result may be, the best recommendation is just to follow a nutritious diet that has a number of fresh fruits and green-leafy veggies, as well as fiber.

Tip #3: Consider Exfoliants

Many experts say that exfoliating your skin is another great way to attain a beautiful skin. So, try to invest in a good body exfoliant or “loofah”, as it is commonly called, as it is capable of eliminating the dead skin cells from your body. Accordingly, this should be done once or twice a week so to free the skin to breathe. What’s more, exfoliants help to prevent ingrown hair from developing.

However, it is necessary to avoid using any body exfoliant on the skin on the face. The main reason for this precaution is that the facial tissue is more sensitive and finer than those tissues of the body.

Today, there is a myriad of exfoliating sponges in the market, as well as a number of really good exfoliant gels that are especially formulated for the skin on the face. Nevertheless, one of the necessary things to note is that those people with skin affected by acne should not apply exfoliating gels or sponges, as these may aggravate the acne infection. Try to consider those exfoliating products for acne prone skin in the form of a skin peeling treatment instead. These products are now commonly offered my most salons anywhere in the world. And, perhaps what is best to consider is to consult a skin specialist before undertaking any form of skin peel.

Tip #4: Consider a Healthy Routine for Facial Care

When it comes to facial skin care, getting into a healthy beauty routine is not bad. Most of the doctors today highly recommend that you cleanse, moisturize and tone your skin twice every day. When cleaning, never fail to remember cleaning the area on the neck, including your face. Apply a moisturizer or neck cream after.

Before going to bed at night, always remember to remove all make up. Clean your skin before you sleep, no matter how tired you may feel. It was found out that during the night, the skin goes through a process of elimination and cannot breathe properly if it is clogged with make up. And, you may also find out that sleeping with your make up on will cause your skin to “break out” with spots on it.

When it comes to shaving for men, some men may experience shaving rashes. For many, these rashes lower their self-esteem, but this is actually not a big problem to think about. There are a lot ways to avoid rashes. Perhaps one of the best is to make sure that when shaving, the razor strokes are following the direction of hair growth. That’s simply it!

Also, scarring on the face can sometimes be unsightly. To heal a scar, it is recommended that you use jasmine or neroli essential oils diluted in carrier oil. This is deemed effective for elimination facial scars, and it even works on stretch marks too as well. However, if you noticed that the scar or stretch mark has gone silver or white in color, note that it cannot be removed anymore. And, if it is pinkish or red in color, there is a great possibility that it can be healed.

When it comes to bruises, there are arnica creams and ointments out there that are useful in healing bruises. It is also interesting to know that one way of dealing with bruises fast and effectively is to use Vicks Vaporub on the affected area.

Tip #5: Heal Your Feet

When it comes to skin care, the feet are often neglected. So, if care you found no time for a professional pedicure, try to fill a football or basin with warm water and add your favorite essential oil. Soak your feet for about fifteen minutes. Then, dry them and apply a rough skin remover onto them. Rinse this off and dry you feet well. And, if you consider pedicure, simply add some body cream to your feet for an easy and quick fix pedicure.

Tip #6: Tie Your Fringe Out of Your Face

For many people, trying their fringes out of their faces for a few hours each day is somehow necessary. The support for this claim is the belief that it will prevent spots from forming on the forehead, especially if you are prone to oily hair. It is noted that sometimes, these oily deposits on the hair can be transferred to the skin which eventually causes the skin to develop acne or any disorder.

Tip #7: Avoid Too Much Exposure to the Sun

One of the most common precautions when it comes to skin care is avoiding too much exposure to the sun. As you may know, over exposure to sunlight causes sunburn. So, while current sunblocks only block out the UVB rays and still let in harmful UVA rays, it is still wise to cover up before venturing into the hands of Apollo. If possible, use a wide brimmed hat while tending your garden to keep the sun from your face.

Tip #8: Exercise

Aside from considering a healthy diet, exercising your body also helps keep your skin healthy. Note that a proper exercise does not only keep the body fit by regulating the oxygen; it also improves the glow of the skin as well.

Tip #9: Take Enough Rest

One common problem that face people is stress; the one which is not normal. It was found out that when a person is stressed, the adrenal cortex converts adrenal androgens to the hormone testosterone in male and female, which in turn results in overactive sebaceous glands. These adrenal androgens are released causing a double amount of testosterone, causing the face to be oily, while other areas of the body are still dry from dehydration. So, taking proper rest that includes 6 to 8 hours of undisturbed sleep daily is the best way to rejuvenate the skin.

Tip #10: Other Helpful Tips for Skin Care

There are a lot of home remedies for skin care. One of the most commonly suggested is blending the egg white and honey well and then apply them on the face. Experts believe that this makes your skin smooth and helps to reduce wrinkles.

Also, you should try blending turmeric powder with milk and apply on the face. This specifically removes the tan and assists in reducing the growth of facial hair. When it is already applied on the face, scrub it off with a good face scrub and then wash with cold water. Not the extremely cold water. You can even keep it overnight.

Some experts also recommend blending oatmeal along with curds and tomato juice for facial care. This is often kept for 20 minutes and washed off with cold water. This is also potent for removing the tan and keeping the skin light.

Did you know that cucumber juice is an excellent astringent for a beautiful, smooth skin? Yes it is. Applying cucumber juice on the face helps tighten the skin pores. However, it is necessary to wash it off after 15 minutes for better result.

Another great tip for skin conscious is to apply Vaseline over the entire body after a shower. Then, shower again after one hour and repeat this twice a month. This also improves the condition of the skin.

Finally, you can use glycolic acid (mild peel) and trichloracetic acid (medium peel solutions. As found out, these peels are safe and not overly aggressive. They do not necessitate time off from work or social activities, and these peels smoothen, soften and freshen the skin.

Always note that your skin reflects your health. It is your body’s canvas and one of its valuable assets. So, for good skin care, start developing healthy habits that generally protect your valued possession, which the skin, from the outer and inner forces. Your daily habits mean everything as it is the only skin you’ll ever get.

Leons Anti-aging Beauty Secrets- Diy Anti-aging Skin Care Recipes.

Are You Drinking Too Much Water?

The current popular mantra is to drink at least 8 glasses of water each day. Depending on the size of the glass this is going to be at least 4 pints of water. Do we really need to drink this much. The answer is generally no.
Usually the two main reasons given for drinking lots of water are to eliminate toxins from the body, and to make the skin clearer. This was recently investigated by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania.
Many waste products and toxins are cleared from the body by the kidneys. The kidney processes blood and removes water and a range of compounds. Some of the water, ions, and most of the glucose and protein are returned to the blood by readsorption. The remaining water, metabolic waste, etc., forms into urine, which then collects in the bladder.
It would seem logical that if more water is consumed that there would be better clearance of metabolic waste and toxins. Except in the case of dehydration, this is not true. More water intake does not increase excretion of wastes. In fact, there is a rebound effect when a lot of fluid is consumed and processed by the kidneys. The kidneys actually seem to process less efficiently.
The second reason given for is hydrating skin. Unfortunately, unless you are very dehydrated the amount of water consumed is not going to make any noticeable difference. The body is about 60% water. If you weigh 150 lb, then you are about 90 lbs of water. Adding a few more pounds of water is not going to make difference to general distribution of water and your body will sense the increased volume and increase the volume of urine. So usually instead of plumping the skin, the excess water will end up being peed out.
So how much water should you drink? Obviously your needs vary with the local temperature and activity level. The best indicator of the level of hydration is the color of urine. If you are dehydrated urine will have a strong yellow color like apple juice. If your urine is a pale weak yellow color then you are adequately hydrated. If your urine is virtually colorless you are probably over hydrated.
So, stay hydrated but do not overdo it. Use the color of your urine as a guide to your hydration status.

Judith Airey PhD. is a biomedical researcher with a range of interests including health and aging. She has a blog http://www.lifeagingand.com/ and several health-related websites including a blood pressure information site http://www.infobloodpressure.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Judith_Airey

11 Simple Rules Help Teens Lose Weight

In this article , we will look at some simple rules which should be followed as a parent if you wish to help your teen lose weight safely.

The key thing to a teen losing weight is that have much healthier habits. Today, teenage obesity is a growing problem, and there is plenty you can do as a parent in order to help your teen with any weight problems they may have.

Although there is no magic formula to helping your teen lose weight, the real key to succeeding is by helping them to lead a healthier kind of life that they can then carry on into adulthood.

1. Talk to your Teen

If your teen is overweight, then they are probably concerned about it too. Aside from there being long term health issues involved, such as high blood pressure or they may suffer from diabetes, there are also the social and emotional issues involved as well.

Offer your teen the support and gentle understanding that they are looking for, and help them to take control of the problem.

2. Unrealistic Images

For many teenage girls, their weight and how they look can be a very delicate matter, and you should remind them there is no perfect body out there. Remind them that, what might the right weight for one person, is not the right weight for somebody else.

Instead of talking to them about fat or thin, encourage your teenage to focus on behaviors which will promote a much healthier weight. If you want to, talk to your family doctor, and he will help to set realistic goals for your teenager with regard to body mass index, and the weight they should be based on their age, height and general health.

3. Resist Using Quick Fixes in order to lose weight rapidly

Help your teenager by teaching them how to lose weight, and then keep it off. Many of the fad diets around are likely to rob your teen of essential nutrients, iron and calcium that they need in their diet, as they are still growing.

Don’t allow them to take weight loss pills or other quick fixes, as they will not address the root of the problem, and the effects of these types of treatment are short lived.

It is important to remember that only permanent changes in their habits will help the weight they lose to stay away.

4. Increase the amount of physical activity your teen does

Like any adult, a teenager will need to do about 60 minutes of physical activity each day. But this does not mean that they have to do it all at once. They can, instead, do the activity in short bursts throughout the day in order to help burn off any excess calories or fat.

Team sports, which they do at school or at a local sports hall, are a great way for your teen to get active. However, if your child isn’t an athlete, or finds it difficult to participate in certain sports, then encourage them to walk, cycle or skate to and from school, or just to walk a few times around the school before they begin classes. Why not suggest that they spend at least one of each day away from the computer and do something a little more physical (may be you can get them to take the dog for a walk)?

Try and get them to do some household chores, like vacuuming or washing the car, as they have aerobic benefits as well.

5. Ensure that your teen has Breakfast

If you have a teenager who finds that it’s too difficult to get up, try to get them up a little earlier than normal in order for them to have some breakfast. How many times have you heard people say “breakfast is the most important meal of the day”? A good nutritious breakfast will help jump start their day AND their metabolism, and will provide them with the energy they need to face the day ahead. You may also find that it stops them from eating too much during the rest of the day as well.

If your teen is not keen on high fiber cereal or whole wheat toast, then why not suggest they eat what was left over from the night before. You could even suggest a piece of cheese, a small handful of nuts and a piece of fruit instead, as they will be just as good for them, and do the same job as the cereal or toast does.

6. If your teen snacks, teach them to snack wisely

It may be difficult for your teenage child to make healthy choices when they are at school, as often the hallways are lined with vending machines, but it is possible. Why not try and encourage them to replace even one bag of chips each day with a much healthier grab and go option from home, such as frozen grapes, an orange, strawberries or other fresh fruit? They may even like to take some sliced red, orange or yellow peppers, a few cherry tomatoes or baby carrots instead.

7. Watch the Size of the Portions of food that they have each meal

When it comes to the portions that a teen eats, size really does matter. If you can, encourage your child to cut back and to stop eating when they feel full. You may find that just one slice of pizza, or half the pasta on the plate is enough to make them feel full.

8. Look at the Calories in the drinks that they have

An average 12 ounce can of soda has 150 calories and 10 teaspoons of sugar in it. Also, the calories and sugar that you find in fruit juice, specialty coffees and other drinks can also add up quickly as well. So getting your teenager to drink more water, instead of soda and other sugary drinks, will save on the calories and their sugar intake as well. Why not suggest that they drink flavored water, seltzer water or unsalted club soda instead?

9. Let them have the occasional treat

Allowing your teen to have a late night pizza whilst at a friend’s, or some nachos when at the movies, need not derail your teen’s healthy eating plan.

Instead, suggest that when they are out, they have a breadstick with sauce instead of garlic bread…or that they share a snack with their friend, instead of having an order to themselves.

It is important that you let your teenager know that they are in control, and the occasional treat is okay. The most important thing is getting them to lead a healthier lifestyle.

10. Ways of getting the Whole Family Involved

Rather than just singling out your teenager to lead a healthier lifestyle, why not adopt these healthy habits for the whole family? After all, not just eating healthier foods, but getting more exercise is good for everybody.

a. Why not encourage the whole family to eat more fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grains? It is important that you set a good example for all your children.

b. Forget the junk food, and although healthy foods often cost more, it is a good investment in your child’s life.

c. Why not try out new recipes or healthier alternatives to those family favorites?

d. Don’t allow anyone to eat while sitting on the couch, as this will curb mindless eating at other times that they sit watching the TV, or when on the computer.

e. Arrange some family activities, such as walks in the evening, or visiting a local recreation center at the weekend.

11. Be Positive in your Attitude when helping your teen to lose weight

Being overweight does not always lead to a lifetime of low self esteem, but your acceptance of your teen’s weight problem is critical. Remember to listen to your teen’s concerns regarding their weight, and comment on their skills, efforts and accomplishments.

Make it perfectly clear to your child that your love for them is unconditional, and not dependent on how they look. Why not help your teen learn to express their feelings in much healthier ways, say by writing down what they feel in a journal?

If your child is struggling with low self esteem, and finding it difficult to cope with their weight in a healthy way, then consider looking for a support group, formal weight control program or professional counseling to help them.

There are many support groups around which will provide your teen with the tools to counter any social pressure and cultivate a positive attitude with regard to their self esteem. This will help them to take control of their weight. These benefits will then last them a life time.

Helping Teens Lose Weight

Losing weight as a teen is far different from losing weight as an adult. Weight loss in a teen depends on their age, the metabolic rate, their eating habits, as well as the type of lifestyle they lead.

For many teens, losing weight is easier than as an adult, as the body burns calories much easier, as well as quicker. Often, teens lead a much more active lifestyle; they enjoy doing exercise, walking, jogging or participating in some form of sport. These types of exercises will only help to boost a teen’s metabolism, and also increase the amount of calories that they burn.

Teens could start with one of the many fad diets that are around, but they should only use these for about a week (anything longer will cause damage to their bodies). After a week of using a fad diet, they should then continue on a much more healthy diet regime, and one which allows them to lose weight more slowly (which is the best way to lose weight healthily).

When on a diet, a teen should also lead a more active kind of life; they can do this by exercising whenever possible, or participate in some sporting activity. This is especially important for teenagers, as they are still growing, and they need more food while they are still growing. So they need to exercise in order to help remove some of the extra calories they are gaining from the extra food they are eating. So, get out and exercise. If they sit around at home watching TV or playing on the computer, they will soon find that their weight has increased.

As a teenager, you have much more energy, so why not put it to good use by taking up exercise or some sports activity. It is best that a teen that plays a sport or does some physical activity, should choose one that they enjoy and will have fun while doing it. The best benefit is that they are not only exercising their bodies, but the will also be burning off the excess fat and calories, and so improving their health.

It is imperative, therefore, for those teens to lead both an active life, and have a healthy diet, in order to achieve maximum performance and productivity. Many teens who lead such lives, find that they are able to do everything they want, and do not suffer from fatigue or weakness when doing things.

Improving Your Overweight Teen's Self-Esteem

Today, approximately 15% of children between the ages of 6 and 19 are either overweight or obese (which is a 10% increase since 1970). In fact, there are now more than 9 million youngsters who are at risk from suffering some impaired life due to high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels or Type 2 Diabetes, as well as having a negative self image of themselves, which will continue as they grow into adulthood.

There have been studies carried out that indicate a child who is obese at the age of 6, will have a 50% chance of becoming obese as an adult. Also, if one or both of the child’s parents are overweight, then the chances increase to 80%. These are very sobering and scary statistics for a parent whose child is overweight.

However, there is good news that, with help from the adults in their lives, these children can be helped. They can be taught healthier behaviors, which relate to both their eating habits and improving the physical activity they do, and this will help them to lose the weight.

By helping them become more selective with the types of food that they consume, and increasing the amount of physical activity that they accomplish, it will only produce positive results.

However, it should be stressed that formal dieting, and especially giving your child a severely restricted diet, should only be attempted with medical approval and the appropriate nutritional supervision. Many pediatricians believe the best course is to try and hold an overweight child’s weight at a steady level, and avoid losing large amounts of weight at a time, until such a time as their height is at a healthier proportion to their weight.

The following 4 steps will not only help to facilitate healthier eating habits, but will also increase the amount of physical activity that they do.

1. Assessing the Health of Your Child and whether they are overweight

Before you make any personal or environmental changes in your teen’s life, take a few minutes to survey what your home life is like. Do you allow them to lead a sedentary life, and are they given plenty of chances to over eat at any time? If you do, then it is important that you bring any changes in to these areas of their life gradually.

First, look at just how many hours your teen spends either watching TV, or sitting at their computer. A teen can spend up to 24 hours a week watching TV. Log any time that they spend doing either, watching TV or on the computer, and try to reduce this by half.

When you have meals, does your family gather around a table, or do you eat most of your meals sitting in front of the TV or computer? If you do, then try and make it a family rule that, in the future, all food (including snacks) will be eaten in the kitchen or in the dining room at a table. Such a small change has been shown to significantly reduce the amount of over eating that takes place in the home.

Next, you will need to take a close look at your fridge and food cupboards. Which foods do you have that you are most likely to eat when hunger hits you? If the foods are high in fat, sweetened or low in nutritional value, then why not try to find healthier alternatives instead, such as fresh fruit and vegetables?

2. Do Not Shame your Child into Losing Weight

Neither adults nor children can be shamed into losing weight, and an overweight teen will know that they weigh too much. But what a teen does not know, is how they can achieve a normal weight, as well as increase their self esteem. Teens like to know that their parents love them unconditionally, whether they are fat, thin or normal.

For any parent, mastering the fine art of loving our children just the way they are, while helping them to achieve a healthier body can be difficult. Any parent must learn to “give time” and believe that the lessons we teach them will one day come to fruition.

This means that we can teach our youngsters to visualize that healthy plate (one which is half salad or vegetables, a quarter of starches and the remainder are made up of protein such as fish, meat, poultry or soy). But you also know that at some point, they will sneak either sweets or cookies into the home, and upset the balance that you have achieved.

A parent can persist in teaching their teens to see their plate before any food is put on it. This is helpful, as it creates a sense of portion control that is helpful when the parent is not around to monitor what food they are actually having. This portion control can also be practiced not just at home, but when visiting a restaurant as well.

3. Take up some type of Physical Activity as a Family

The recommended amount of physical activity to be done by an adult is 30 minutes, and 60 minutes for children, which should be done several times a week. However, if you are looking to lose weight, then more physical activity may be necessary.

A great way of breaking the pattern of the lives that many families lead is to arrange activities that involve plenty of movement for the whole family together. Not only do these types of activities burn calories, they can also serve as a setting for parent and child communication. It is especially important in a child’s teen years, when such opportunities for a parent to interact with their teen are at a premium.

Also, there is little or no financial cost involved in going for a walk or having a bike ride, and many communities now have either indoor or outdoor swimming pools which do not cost to much to use. Just taking the family dog for a walk in the evening not only makes the dog happy, but will help to increase the family’s metabolism.

4. How to encourage the right sort of behavior in your teen

The best way to help an overweight or obese teen is through your own behavior. Too often, teens will do as an adult does, rather than what we tell them.

No parent can ask their child to turn off the TV when we are actually watching it in another room, or to stop using the computer when they are spending hours themselves surfing the net. Nor should they restrict the portions of food they eat, when they, themselves, do not watch what they are eating. Why would any child want to drink water or munch on fruit or vegetables, when they see the adults around them drinking sugar laden soda or having a bag of potato chips?

When looking to lead a healthier kind of life style, it should be done one day at a time, and the end result will be well worth the effort.