[sweetlily2]

Hey everyone I'm 15 and I'm overweight. Does anyone have any advice for teen weight loss? Like what have you been doing to lose weight? I'm 5'6" and I weigh 185. please help! thanks

[kelly315]

I would recommend talking to your doctor before starting anything.

[tommy]

sweetlily2- the absolute best thing you can do for yourself is to stop thinking diet and think nutrition and lifestyle. You are young and quick fixes will work but down the road if you do not change your habits it will bite you in the butt and make you miserable. Find an exercise activity you like and do it regularly (gym, bike, run, yoga), learn to love vegetables, and try to keep the processed foods on the down low. That will give you wiggle room to have stuff with friends once in a while but get you on a road of health. Good luck. It is tough when it feels like everyone around you is either "naturally thin" or on some "best quick diet ever"

[Alana in Canada]

I have to second tommy's advice.

The best way to lose weight (and keep it off) is to change what you eat to healthy foods --and move more.

Think health, think fitness. How much do you know about diet and exercise? How much of your diet is in your control?

If you need any help, just ask us!

[Chubzo]

Congratulations on your loss so far. At your age that is no minor accomplishment. I only wish I could have done that at 15!

Advice: For me at least, as a teen, I had to admit that a) I'm overweight and b) I'm on a diet. You can't be afraid to tell people about! If someone offers to hang out and grab a slice of pizza with the works, you have to just tell them that you're on a diet and that doesn't fit into it. If your parents are buying junk (a huge problem of mine) you have to either buy food for yourself, tell them that they can't keep buying the junk, or just ask if they can accommodate your new eating habits.

If anyone asks why, the answer is easy. I'm on a diet. Why are you on a diet? Because you care about your life. Why do you think you need to diet? And that answer lies between you and your doctor (and your parents until you turn 18).

[Chubzo]

Also, and this is most important of all.. You're young. Don't waste the best years of your life worrying about diets and even exercise. Don't obsess.

Live your life like you're a BMI of 22-24.

[Alana in Canada]

I wanted to come back and encourage you to exercise. There's a great program called couch to 5K on the internet. It's a great place to start. Lots here are doing it, too.

http://www.c25k.com/

and I'm sorry I hadn't noticed earlier your loss so far! Way to go! What's working for you?

[MeganTheMushroom]

Definitely start exercising, both cardio and weights,
That will boost your metabolism, keep you from cutting out TOO much food from your diet, keep your mind straight, your bones and muscles strong, your body in shape, and just keep you in a good mood!

Cutting out pacakged, refined foods is also necessary for healthy weight loss. And add in more wholesome grains (millet, brown rice, quinoa, oats, whole wheat or whole grain bread and pasta, etc.), veggies, and fruits.

And try not to count calories- It's a habit that's so hard to quit
I'm still trying to break the habit, and I'm almost 3 months into maintaining.

Also, don't get too obsessed, don't try to move things too quickly, and don't get stressed of things go slow or you hit bumps in the road.

And just keep going, don't give up!!

[Natasha1534]

Everybody has given you good advice. The trick, IMO, when being a teenager and trying to lose weight is to stay away from the traps that come w/ hanging out w/ friends. Junk foods, fatty foods, greasy foods, etc. That doesn't mean you can't hang out w/ your friends, of course, but you have to have some serious willpower to resist doritos, pizza, and movie popcorn when all your friends are having it. Perhaps taking some healthy snacks along might be a good choice for you. I love my carrots and ranch...I could eat them everyday!!!