 Dealing with Eating Problems |
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=> Ive been overweight most of my life and practically gain weight each month i just recently found out im obese and and shocked my eating habbits are crazy i love junk food and cant quit eating it!
=> Hi lucy im not over weight but i think i have an eating problem. im 11 years old and live with my brother and my mum can you help me please i need serious help please lucy
yours
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 Sometimes we eat to soothe a feeling, not just to fuel our bodies. When we do this, we call it emotional or comfort eating.
The problem with emotional eating is that we are only TEMPORARILY comforting ourselves. We usually choose junk foods to comfort our self that are high in fat, sugar and salt like cookies, chips, pop, pizza, and ice cream. It is almost impossible to feel pleasure and pain at the same time, so while we are eating the food, our feelings of boredom, stress, anxiety, and sadness go away. Unfortunately, not only do the bad feelings return once we are finished eating but the side effect of this type of behavior is often WEIGHT GAIN.
GOOD NEWS! We have two sides to our brain: an EMOTIONAL SIDE and a THINKING SIDE. The emotional side sometimes tries to trick us into thinking the food we are eating will make us feel better, while our thinking brain knows we don't need the food. They are sometimes in a "tug of war." Just remember, the thinking part of the brain is BIGGER than the emotional part of the brain so WE CAN LEARN TO CONTROL THE EMOTIONAL BRAIN. It just takes practice!
Here's a tip from Lucy that can help you determine whether or not you are truly hungry when you reach for that next snack.
It also helps to look at the causes of our negative emotions and find ways to cope with them other than turning to food. This tip offers ideas of things you can do instead of eating when your emotional brain is trying to trick you.
Let us know how it works!
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| Eating Problem Foods Occassionally |
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=> is it ok to have sugar or fat food once a week
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 Eating sugar or fatty foods should be avoided. Not only is sugar bad for your teeth, but it can leave you craving more sugary junk food and can even be addicting. Changes can occur in the brain over time from eating a lot of sugary foods that make resisting sugary foods difficult. Fatty foods can also be addicting. Food Addiction and Withdrawal
It takes about two weeks to break the cycle of cravings. Here are some things you can try to stop the cravings:
1. Set limits for yourself before the temptation arises. Try keeping a food journal to help you keep track of your eating habits. Check for areas that may be food triggers for you and make healthy substitutes. For example, try choosing a healthier after school snack or tell others that you are trying to watch what you are eating. Ask them not to offer you tempting foods.
2. Make a plan to help you resist the foods you crave. Say for instance, counting to 30 and letting the craving pass or having healthy snacks available instead. Try it out!
Here are some other great tips that may help you deal with Food Addiction and dealing with relapse:
Dealing with Junk Food Relapse
Food Addiction Relapse
***Remember, asking your family and friends for their support can also be helpful.*** |
| Bullying - What To Do |
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=> Do your hate it when people call you
bad names
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 Bullying is hard to face. Some things people say can really hurt your feelings. Rather than caring about what others have to say about you, ask yourself how you feel about yourself. How you view yourself is what really matters after all. No one likes to be picked on, just know that you have options. Remember that it is okay to speak up for yourself and tell those who are bullying you to stop. You can also choose to ignore them and walk away. It can also help to talk to someone you trust about what you are facing because they may have other ideas to help.
Here's a tip on How to deal with bullying. And here's a great article: Advice on How to Stop Bullying. Take a look! |
| How do I keep motivated? |
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=> hi lucy, i've lost 2 and a half stones in 3 months and now i have started to eat again as i have lost my motivation, how can i keep my self going and is it okay to eat alot once in a week. tnx
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 A lot of people have this same issue. Motivation is what keeps us going when we want to give up. Finding motivation to lose weight can be tough work, but you can do it! You may have many reasons why you want to lose weight, (feel healthy, look and feel better about myself, wear clothes that fit, and so forth). Having motivation can help you keep your spirits high and encourage you along the way.
Here are some ideas:
1. Write down the things that you don't like about your weight. Things like: "Cool clothes don't fit me," "I have stretch marks on my thighs," "I can't get a date."
2. Write down the reasons that you want to be thinner. Things like: "So I can wear cool clothes," "I want to be able to walk 3 miles," whatever they might be.
3. Make a list of FUN ACTIVITIES that you would like to try. Things that you enjoy like walking with friends, gardening, dancing, and so forth.
4. Do something on your fun activities list EVERY DAY. If you don't feel like doing something, look at your list in #1. What you don't like about your weight and #2. Reasons I want to be thinner. Your lists should give you motivation.
5. Keep track in a journal the activities you have tried. Mix it up, don't do the same thing every day. It is easier to be motivated when we do things that are FUN and DIFFERENT EVERY DAY!
6. Get a motivation BUDDY to help encourage you and keep you accountable. The teen bulletin board area on this site is a good place to find a buddy. Many kids post motivation tips on the Success Boards as well.
7. Check out this tip from Lucy to help when you have lost your motivation.
The best motivation comes from within yourself. In other words, you are ready to take action in losing weight because it is important to YOU. |
| Holiday foods |
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=> Why I am trying to lose weight, to prevent,heart issues,heart attacks. Strokes, 2 type diebates,obese,blood cloding,I run really fast,what drives,me crazy,when my aunts,your fine,that can runi weight loss? every Christamss Eve,for luch, usually lunch meat,and mayo,is the junk food,dinner is the worst a lot of food at my grandpartents,any ideS?
I am so fuiristed,I dont want to binge,ahhha.
=> Movation for Chrsitams meals, drive me crazy,I always binge like crazy,I end up gaining the weight back, any ideas what to do?
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 Society normalizes overeating during the holidays with a huge emphasis on food, and even marketing certain comfort foods. During the holidays, food is used to demonstrate warm loving family times in advertising, and many kids and teens report eating for comfort during this often stressful time. Many adults do that too. You are correct in recognizing that controlling this issue will bring you weight loss success.
A binge is when a person eats a lot of food at one time. When the person binges, she or he usually feels out of control. They feel better for a while after eating, and then typically feel bad about themselves. They turn to food to feel better again, and the cycle repeats.
Instead of food for comfort, a person must find other ways to cope with boredom, loneliness, sadness, anger, happiness, frustration, stress, etc. Here's a tip on dealing with stress. Take it slow and allow yourself time to sort through the exact feelings that have you grabbing food.
Check out Lucy's tip on how to survive the holidays for more information. Good luck as we head into the new year. |
| How can I ask mom for a scale? |
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=> I need advice. We don't have a scale in my house which makes it extremley difficult to know if i'm losing weight and then I get discouraged because i don't see visible results. How can i ask my mom for a scale? I don't want to tell her I'm losing weight because she won't approve. Please tell me how I should ask without menchining losing weight?
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 Try sitting down with your mom and explaining to her that you want to be and maintain a healthy weight, and that having a scale will help you monitor your progress. You stated your mother would not approve of your losing weight, but you didn't say why. Your mother may not think you need to lose weight. It is important to speak to your doctor or nurse to find out what weight is healthy for you. Plus, you can use the weight calculator on our site. Or, if your mom happens to be overweight, she may be uncomfortable if you lose. You might ask your mom to lose weight along with you, like a weight loss buddy.
Other than using a scale, there are some additional ways to monitor your weight loss. Try using a tape measure to find out how many inches you are around your waist, legs, arms, etc. You will also notice your weight loss by the way your clothes fit... Are they getting any bigger?
REMEMBER: If you've been exercising and trying to lose weight, adding muscle may increase your scale weight, even though you’re ACTUALLY slimming down. Muscle weighs more than fat, because muscle is more dense than fat and it takes up less space. That's another reason why measuring your body in inches or centimeters is a great alternative way to judge your weight loss if you don't have a scale. |
| Underlying Reasons For Being Overweight |
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=> I really want to lose weight, but I have several problems: first, almost everyone in my family is overweight/obese, so it's hereditary for me. Second, I don't like exercise! I love dancing, but I have no idea how to do that effectively. Also, I would love to go to the gym, but with the economy and stuff, we don't have much cash to spend. I'm also a busy person and my schedule is often packed with activities and practice and concerts. I have a problem and I don't know what to do! PLEASE HELP! Thank you....
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 Before you can lose weight, you have to be motivated and ready. Write down the things you don't like about being overweight and then write down all the reasons you can think of for wanting to lose weight.
Being physically active every day does not take a lot of time and does not take any money. It does not have to be formal exercise; it can be any activity you enjoy doing. You can ride a bike, go for a brisk walk with a friend, taking the stairs instead of the elevator. You already mentioned you like to dance. As long as you are raising your heart rate and moving your body, you are being effective and you will burn calories. Remember, if you like doing the activity, you are more likely to do it on a regular basis.
Lucy has a great tip to help you realize you are not alone in this. Good luck! |
| Am I Overweight? |
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=> I weigh 121 and 5"1foot and where I live everyone is like 100 or below. I feel fat when I am around them, am I considered fat? I also have a bit of a tummy but its not that bad but should I excersize? Do u think I'm going to be big when I'm older
=> I am 13 years old and i am 5 foot 1 and weigh 125 pounds. Is that overweight? Im pretty big and with large stomach. So can you tell me exactly how much weight i need to lose? Also, my younger sister is 2 foot 2 and 45 pounds. My older brother is 5 foot 7 and 153 pounds. How much weight do they need to lose?
=> i'm 12 years old 5'3 and 124 pounds .how can i lose weight?
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 This is one of the most common questions asked by teens here.
First, you can use our weight calculator to determine if you are underweight, a healthy weight, overweight or obese.
The weight calculator on our website is designed for kids ages 2 through 20. Our weight calculator differs from weight calculators that your parents (or anyone over 20) would use because they have stopped growing! Thus the formula (mathematics) is different for determining healthy weight between kids and adults.
The weight calculator can provide a healthy weight range based on your age, gender, weight and height. Whether you consider your body type or frame - small, medium, or large - does not matter. This is because the healthy weight range is wide enough that it includes all these body types.
Once you have determined where you fall, you can visit our Healthy Weight School to learn more, especially the section on How Do I Lose Weight.
Regular exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle no matter what you weigh. See this tip from Lucy to learn more about how exercise is good for you! |
| Teased About Being Overweight |
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=> im uncomfortable that people make fun of my weight please help
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 You are not alone. This is a topic that gets brought up often by other kids too. Unfortunately, teasing is something many of us deal with when we are growing up and it makes us feel bad. We get teased for many different things, but someone who is overweight is often on the receiving end. While this feels very hurtful, try to remember that someone who makes fun of others actually has low self-esteem and is trying to make themselves feel better.
Their goal is to get a reaction from you. If they don't get that reaction the bullying will likely stop.
Lucy has a great tip to help you learn to deal with bullies. Make sure to practice your response to the bullies so you are ready when the time comes. You can do it! |
| My Weight Interferes with My Social Life - Nothing Works |
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=> im 12 years old and i am very over weight! I feel very miserable with my friends and a few days ago my friends asked me to go to a pool partay with them and i told them i couldent go but the reason is that i am overweight and it is interfering with my social life. Please help me lose weight!
=> i feel fat i keep trying and trying but nothing works hopefully you can help me lose weight thank you
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Obesity in young people can lead to feelings of isolation and unhappiness.  When someone gains excessive weight, this can lead to lower self esteem. These negative feelings increase the desire to seek comfort in food, which in turn leads to more depression as your weight increases.
Lets start with self-esteem. Keep in mind that your friends like you for who you are, not for what you look like. Keep a journal and write down all the things you can think of that you like about yourself and all the things other people like about you. Read this every single day and whenever you are feeling badly about yourself. It will take some time, but eventually you will feel better about yourself, and you will show yourself to others as a more confident person. Here is one of Lucy's tips about self esteem to help you get started.
Second, you need motivation in order to lose weight and keep it off. This is what keeps us going when we want to give up. In a new section of your journal, write down all the reasons you would like to lose weight and all the reasons why losing weight is hard. Write down everything you eat every day, and write down all the exercise you do in one day on another page.
As you progress, write down the things that you have accomplished. Things like “I lost one pound this week”, or “my clothes feel looser than before” are great MOTIVATORS to keep you going!
Finally, reward yourself each week or month after you have been working hard on your goals. But DO NOT reward yourself with food. Reward yourself with things like new clothes, earrings, a DVD, go to a movie with a friend.
The Healthy Weight School's Motivation March can help get you started. |
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