 Cravings - How To Control Them |
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=> I just turned thirteen yesterday. I'm 5"2 (nearly 5"3, I'm 158cm) and I weigh 127.6 pounds (57-58kg). I feel really terrible. I'm on my way to losing weight, but as I lose them I keep gaining them back because of my cravings. I want to be at least 50kg... How do you stay away from the junk food and control your cravings?
=> I tend to overeat but it's really hard to stop like when I'm full and overeating in general. What do I do?
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 Cravings are food urges that you can't resist. Usually salty and sugary foods are the worst culprits. You tend to think about the food or drink and the thought won't go away until you cave and eat the food. Sometimes, you might even eat the food until it's all gone. Sound like what is happening?
Cravings might be brought on by other emotions like being stressed, bored, lonely, depressed, or might be part of the habit of overeating.
Getting in touch with your emotions and learning to recognize what triggers a craving can help. Learn to Curve Your Cravings. Here are some starting tips:
1. Learn how to substitute other activities for eating. Make a list of distracting activities. When you have the craving urge, substitute an activity on your list instead of eat. Usually, if you can resist eating for a few minutes with a distracting activity, the craving will go away. TRY IT! YOU CAN DO IT!
2. Be MINDFUL of what and how much you are eating.
4. Get junk food out of your house! Out of site! Out of mind!
Here are more things you can do to help you get through your cravings and tips on Saying Goodbye to Problem Foods, and Preventing Relapse.
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| Bored - How To Stop Eating When Bored |
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=> I am 11 years old and I weigh 113 pounds, I am fat, and all my friends at school weigh like 85 pounds, I try to lose weight, but I eat lots because I am bored. What should I do to stop eating food? (or at least not that much)
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I'M BORED! Why do we turn to food when we feel bored? Sometimes we eat to soothe a feeling like sadness or loneliness. This is called emotional or comfort eating.  It helps to figure out WHY you eat during these times. It could be that you are using food to cover up an emotion.
The foods we choose to cover up an emotion are often high in fat, sugar or salt, which can lead to weight gain. This can become a vicious cycle where you feel badly about gaining weight but then you eat more to make yourself (temporarily) feel better. Emotional eating can become a habit, but habits can be broken with effort and patience. Instead of using food for comfort, we need to find other ways to cope with boredom, loneliness, sadness, anger, happiness, frustration or stress.
Here are some ideas that might help:
1. Plan ahead. Make a list of things you can do other than eat when you feel bored. Write down fun things like go for a walk, paint or draw, dance in my room, or chat with a friend. Then, when you get bored, check your list and do something on the list. Some kids put ideas on slips of paper and put them in a big jar. Then they "draw" out an idea and GO DO IT instead of snack.
2. Get junk food out of the house! Out of site, out of mind!
3. Be mindful. THINK BEFORE YOU EAT! Are you really hungry? If not, DON'T EAT. THINK DISTRACT as in distracting activities.
4. Surround yourself with SUPPORTIVE PEOPLE. Get support and help from friends and other kids on this site. The chatroom, pre-teen, and teen bulletin boards are great sources of help and information. You can interact with other kids and teens and read how they conquer their struggles with their weight. Don't forget, every Wednesday "Lucy" is in the chat room to answer questions too! |
| How Do You Lose Weight? Getting Started |
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=> What should you do to lose 10 pounds?
=> what food do you need to eat to lose weight
=> i have been over weight starting from last year and i really hate my body and can send me a diet plan or a chart to loose weight
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Getting started on a successful weight loss program begins with committing to change your current lifestyle. Understanding why you want to lose weight, how you became overweight and determining your commitment and motivation levels is a first step.
We don't provide individual diet plans but here are some general tips to get you started. Write down the following in a notebook:
1. Why I want to lose weight.
2. Keep a food diary. List all the food and amounts you eat for meals and snacks for several days. You may find that it is not what you are eating as much as how much you eat that is causing you to gain weight. Cut down food portions. Use a salad plate with smaller size portions and don’t have seconds. Cutting down food portions really can help you to lose weight. Check out serving size and portion control tips for more information.
3. Make a list of Fun Activities / Distractions I Want To Try. Here's some to try.
4. Do something on your fun activities / distractions list EVERY DAY! If you don't feel like doing something, review Why I Want To Lose Weight. Your list should give you motivation. Here's the simple truth: NO MOTIVATION = NO WEIGHT LOSS. If you have little motivation to eat less junk food, eat less food amounts, or stop eating when you aren't really hungry, you will not lose weight. Similarly, if you have little motivation to distract yourself with other activities when you aren't really hungry, you will not lose weight.
5. Pick a short term goal like lose 2 pounds this week. Check your progress at the end of every day, that helps you stay on track and stay motivated. Then, start your next goal. The key is to lose weight step by step, one day at a time.
There is more information about motivation in the Healthy Weight School. You can also check out the Teen Bulletin Board and the Success Boards for more tips and inspiration. |
| How Much Weight Should I Lose |
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=> im 5'6" and 150 lbz. how many lbs do u think I should lose (estimation?)
=> I lost 16 kg in 5 months is that good or bad can I lose more even though I weigh 72 now with the height 1.57? Am I fat for a girl that is 1.57 tall and I weigh 72kg
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We don't give medical advice on this site. But, here are some things you can do. CHECK YOUR WEIGHT on the weight calculator to see if you are in the healthy weight range. 
If your BMI is in the overweight or obese range and you want to lose weight, it would first be a good idea to see your health care provider to make sure you don't have any other health conditions that would interfere with a weight loss program.
Take a look at the Healthy Weight School, How To Lose Weight and the weight loss tips area for lots of ideas. Then, make a plan and get started!
You can get lots of support from all the kids on the site in the chatroom and from other kids on the pre-teen and teen bulletin boards. And, don't forget, every Wednesday "Lucy" is in the chat room to answer questions too! |
| Toning With Weights - What Is Safe - What About Sit Ups |
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=> Hi I have been wanting to lose weight a lot I'm not fat fat but I need to tone my body up . I recently started to do light 1kg weights and been using them . However the next day I was in so much pain as I had pulled muscles. Is this normal? And also I'm 16 I hold a 1kg weight in each hand, is this dangerous at this age? I heard you can stop growing? Please please help. Thank You.
=> Do sit ups help
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Using light (1 kg = 2.2 pounds) weights can strengthening and tone your muscles. The key to toning and strengthening is repetition of movement not the size/weight of the weights. Too heavy a weight can cause bulging so be sure to use proper weights for your size and ability. It is always best to start out slow with light weights.
Sit ups can also tone and strengthen your muscles but they don't necessarily reduce the amount of abdominal fat. General weight loss and aerobic exercise work best for reducing fat. |
| Exercise And Eat Healthy But Still Overweight - What Can I Do? |
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=> i weigh 175 pounds. i have been trying for a while now to lose the weight that i need to but i just cant seem to. i eat healthy, i have stopped eating very much bread, i excercise everyday, and i just dont understand what i am doing wrong. could you please help me to figure out why i am like this?
=> I am over weight but I am in the athletics team basketball team netball team swimming team and I DON'T eat a lot I have an apple for breakfast for dinner a sandwich bandanna and a yoghurt and tea 2 portions of veggies and I'm still fat I have been excercising but it doesn't work what will I do ??? ;(
=> i feel like when im eatting healther. i aint losing ! im 14 and my family wants me lose weight i do to. i want to be proud when i lose weight and happy. but im not losing weight when im trying !
=> What i should do to lost some of pounds
=> I'm over weight but I eat healthy and I'm still fat
=> Well, I am a dancer, a swimmer, a biker, and a runner- and I have never lost weight from this!! Do you have any idea why? And what can help me lose weight before summer?
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"I exercise and eating healthy but I still don't lose weight." If you are gaining weight, you are eating more than you burn off through exercise.
FACT: WHEN YOU EAT MORE CALORIES THAN YOU BURN OFF, YOU GAIN WEIGHT. IF YOU EAT LESS CALORIES THAN YOU BURN OFF, YOU WILL LOSE WEIGHT. IT'S SIMPLE MATH! 
Here are some things you can do:
1. WRITE DOWN WHAT AND HOW MUCH YOU EAT AND HOW MUCH YOU EXERCISE EVERYDAY! DON'T CHEAT! Think about WHEN and WHERE you eat. Write down EVERYTHING you eat, at meals as well as snacks. Keeping a Diary can help you be more honest.
2. LEARN ABOUT OVEREATING AND HEALTHY WEIGHT LOSS. Become more aware of how you use food in your life. Do you eat for comfort, when you are stressed, bored or sad? Do you eat when you aren't even hungry? Write down how you are feeling and what and how much you eat at those times. This will help you figure out your emotions and what distracting things you can do instead of eat when they occur. When you become more aware of how you use food in your life, you can become more successful at making a change.
3. DETERMINE YOUR COMMITMENT LEVEL TO LOSING WEIGHT. How willing are you to give up food for pleasure? What things can YOU do to replace eating for pleasure in your life? This requires a long term commitment to a healthy lifestyle. It gets easier the longer you practice your goals. So, keep following your goals step by step. Soon you will be living your new healthy you! Keep working at it. YOU CAN DO IT!
4. FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE Give yourself credit for making the effort everyday to put out more energy than you take in with food. If you mess up one day, brush yourself off and start again tomorrow. Every day counts! |
| Big Boned - What Does That Mean |
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=> Is there a such thing as big boned?
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When one refers to being "big boned," what one might actually be referring to is their body frame size. Body frame size is determined by a person's wrist circumference in relation to his/her height. 
Here's how to calculate your Body Frame Size:
Measure your wrist with a tape measure and use the following chart to determine whether you are small, medium, or large boned.
Women:
Height under 5'2"
Small = wrist size less than 5.5." Medium = wrist size 5.5" to 5.75," Large = wrist size over 5.75"
Height 5'2" to 5' 5"
Small = wrist size less than 6." Medium = wrist size 6" to 6.25." Large = wrist size over 6.25"
Height over 5' 5"
Small = wrist size less than 6.25." Medium = wrist size 6.25" to 6.5." Large = wrist size over 6.5"
Men:
Height over 5' 5"
Small = wrist size 5.5" to 6.5." Medium = wrist size 6.5" to 7.5." Large = wrist size over 7.5"
(MedLine Plus National Institutes of Health reference)
Don't let a large frame size fool you into thinking that you are not overweight. Check the BMI weight calculator to see if you are a healthy weight. |
| Waist Circumference Measurements As Indicator of Health |
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=> I`m 12 and overweight I recently read an article about kids and teens who are more prone to heart disorders and overweight things according to their waist circumfrence. Kids should have a waist size half of their height or less according to a few articles. I have the waist of 72cm and am 159/160 cm so that isn`t the problem here but I realized my brother might be prone to these diseases. He`s active but overweight... He`s 8 and has the same waist measurment as me. 72 cm... He`s 136/137 cm tall which worries me. I told my dad this, who also is obese but he said my brother is going to grow into a muscular body but I`m worried about my brother. Most doctors say I`m going to end up healthy weight or I don`t need to lose weight even if I`m always between 65-68 kgs.
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To help determine if one is overweight or obese, several tools can be used. 
WAIST CIRCUMFERENCE
To measure your waist circumference, use a tape measure. Start at the top of the hip bone, then bring it all the way around -- level with your navel. Make sure it's not too tight and that it is parallel with the floor. Don't hold your breath while measuring it! Waist circumference can be a good indicator of your health and risk for certain diseases. Teens whose waist circumference measures more than half their total height are more likely to show signs of high blood pressure and total cholesterol and lower levels of good (HDL) cholesterol than teens who are overweight or obese but have a smaller waist-to-height ratio.
BODY MASS INDEX (BMI) Percentile Calculator
The BMI weight calculator is another tool that shows how your weight compares to your height (BMI = weight / height2). BMI indicates how thin or how fat you are (unless you are very muscular, in which case BMI is not accurate). The higher the BMI the more fat you have compared to your height.
These are both tools that your health care provider uses in combination with other factors to help determine your health status. You might want to discuss your weight concerns with your health care provider who can exam you and provide you with the best information. You can also find lots of helpful information and tips on healthy weight ideas on this site in the tips area, the Healthy Weight School, and the How To Lose Weight area. |
| Parents Won't Help Me Lose Weight - What Can I Do To Lose Weight |
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=> I want to be smaller I don't like it I like this
Kid and I want to look good for him and I want to feel Better about myself and I want to fit in old clothes I hate this I'm 11 years old and I am 180 my mom and my dad won't lisen I want to look prietty I want to be happier I have tried to go out and bike and walk but is doesnt work I eat to much I need help
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You are not alone. Many kids have this same problem, their parents won’t listen or they don’t want to hear that you want to lose weight. 
HERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU CAN DO:
1. CHECK YOUR WEIGHT on the weight calculator to see if you are in the healthy weight range. It’s always good to arm yourself with FACTS! If the calculator shows that you are overweight, go to the next step.
2. Learn why parents sometimes avoid listening and are unsupportive when you raise the issue of being overweight. Sometimes, raising this issue causes them to reflect on their own eating behavior. They may want to avoid the topic because they don’t wish to deal with their own weight issues. Here are some helpful tips and solutions you can try.
3. Write down all the reasons you want to lose weight and how your parents can support you. Then, talk to your parents again about your weight loss wishes. Pick a good time to talk to your parents when they aren’t busy.
4. If they still are unsupportive, talk to another trusted adult or your doctor to discuss the best weight loss strategy for you. Sometimes your parents just need an adult in the medical profession to talk to them about your health situation before they become convinced that they should support your desire to attain a healthy weight level. You can show them the Parent's Area for more information.
5. Get support and help from friends and other kids on this site. The chatroom, pre-teen, and teen bulletin boards are great sources of help and information. You can interact with other kids and teens and read how they conquer their struggles with their weight. Don't forget, every Wednesday "Lucy" is in the chat room to answer questions too! |
| Cravings - How To Handle Them |
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=> I have got the worst chocolate craving and whatever I try to help it doesent work, HELP!!!
=> How can I cut back on juice?
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You can crave just about any type of food. Salty and sugary foods as well as drinks are common.  You think about the food or drink, you eat or drink it, you want more and sometimes you can't stop until it's all gone. That's often called a craving.
Why is it so hard to stop? There can be many factors at play including boredom and the habit of overeating. Here's a little science: Our brain has an emotional and a thinking area. The EMOTIONAL brain can try to trick us to eat something that tastes really good to soothe our sadness, boredom, loneliness, stress, or depression.  Our THINKING brain is more rationale and knows pretty much what food our body needs for energy and repairs. It knows you don’t need the food you are craving at the moment. The Problem: The thinking brain and the emotional brain can sometimes be in a tug of war!
Good News! WE CAN LEARN TO CONTROL OUR EMOTIONAL BRAIN. It just takes practice to become aware of what is going on. Here's what you can do:
1. Practice talking to your brain and reasoning with your emotional brain when you have a craving for a certain food. Tell yourself, "No emotional brain! No! I am not going to let you trick me!!" I do not need that food because I am not hungry. GO AWAY!!"
2. Get in touch with your emotions and learn how to substitute other activities for eating. Make a list of things you like to do and refer to the list when you get a craving. Then, go do the fun activity INSTEAD of eating. Usually, if you can resist for a few minutes, the craving will go away. TRY IT, YOU CAN DO IT.
3. Here are other tips and ideas to help you conquer cravings:
- Saying Goodbye to the Food Drug
- Curve Your Cravings
- THINK BEFORE YOU EAT! Are you really hungry? If not, DON'T EAT. THINK DISTRACT as in distracting activities.
- Get the particular food or drink out of site and out of the house! Out of site, out of mind!
- Surround yourself with SUPPORTIVE PEOPLE.
When the urge strikes, strike back with these tips! YOU CAN DO IT! |
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