~ QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ~

Here is where we answer your questions about your weight and reaching your weight goal. Our site provides general health information only and cannot give medical advice.
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 Talking to Parents About Your Weight Problem

=> how do i tell my mum i am 15 st 3 i am only 11

 Many kids say it is easier to lose weight when they have the support and encouragement of their parents. Parents often recognize that childhood obesity is a national problem, but they might not see or want to acknowledge that this is a concern with their own kids.

You should be very proud of yourself that you want to discuss your weight problem with your parent even though you might be afraid to do so. It might be that your parent wants to discuss this topic with you as well but doesn't know how to approach the subject with you either!

Here are several things you can do to help talk to your parent about your weight:

First, calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) to see how much you are overweight. Then show your BMI results to your parent. You could also ask your school nurse or doctor to discuss your BMI with you and your parent(s) and discuss the best weight loss strategy. 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.

Here is another great tip to help you talk to your parents about weight loss. There is also a Parent's Area dedicated solely to parents to discuss weight issues. You can show this area to your parent after your talk.
Good luck!


 Talking to your friends about your weight problem.

=> how to tell a friend you r obese

 Our friends can be a big help when we want to lose weight. Remember that our friends like us for who we are, not for what we look like!

It can be tough to start the conversation about your weight with a friend. Lucy has some great tips for talking to your friends to help get you started!

It can be great to have the support of good friends when you are trying to lose weight. Your friends can help you by being your weight loss buddy. For example, they can do physical activities with you and help you to avoid certain addicting foods.

Try some of Lucy's tips when talking to a trusted friend and see how supportive and encouraging they can be! Come back to the message boards and let us know how you are doing!


 Healthy Weight Perceptions

=> i am 98 pounds and my hight is 4foot and 11 inches. In your BMI calculater and other BMI calculaters it say i am healthy weight so why do i look fat?

=> can you give me a good diet chart i can use to loose 1 stone every 6 weeks,am 11 years old, i my hight is 160cm and my weight is 50 kg, i hope you can help thank you!

 girl with distorted body image
Please check the weight calculator on this site to determine if you are overweight. You may be in the underweight or normal weight range. This site is for kids and teens who are overweight.

Some kids and teens have misperceptions of their body image believing that they are fat or overweight when in fact they are not. You might wish to consult your health care provider about your concerns as we do not provide specific diet information or individual diet advice.


 Does Eating Too Little or the Wrong Foods Cause Weight Loss or Gain?

=> i'm 14 and i weigh 11 and a half stones. i have lost 1 and a half stones and would like to lose more. the things that i eat in a day are lemon juice, 1 slice of plain brown bread and then a rice biscuit. i have heared that it tto little amounts in a day can make people more fat. is this true. i am a female. tnx

=> hi lucy. i read in another website that if i eat fatty food 3 times a day and heathy food the next day, then i will lose weight faster because it conufuses the metabolism. i have lost some weight but its come to a halt. so i can't lose anymore weight but i'm trying so hard. what shall i do. shall i try this deit or not. i'm 14 and a female and i weigh just under 12 stones.tnx

 While it's true that metabolism is linked to weight, it may not be in the way you expect. In fact, contrary to common belief, a slow metabolism is rarely the cause of excess weight gain.

Although your body's metabolism influences your body's basic energy needs, it's your food and beverage intake along with your physical activity that ultimately determines how much you weigh. To lose weight, then, you need to create an energy deficit by eating fewer calories, increasing the number of calories you burn through physical activity, or both. You physician is the best person to help you determine what is the best weight loss approach for YOU.

Metabolism is a natural process, so your body generally balances it to meet your individual needs. If you eat too little, your body tries to conserve those calories by slowing your metabolism. It is generally considered safe to lose 1-2 pounds per week.

Weight Plateaus can be very frustrating, but you CAN break through them with persistence. Your metabolism slows as you lose weight. This is because it takes less energy (and fewer calories) to move around a smaller body. When you reach a plateau, you will either need to increase your activity, decrease the calories you eat, or do both if you want to continue losing weight. Trying a little more activity might just do the trick.


 What if you don't like exercise and can't stop eating?

=> What if you don't like excersice b/c it makes your heart feel like it's going to jump out, and b/c you love food and can't stop eating to much.

=> Ok so I think I have heart palpatations and it is really hard to exercise because of them and I am obese wich is aweful I don't want to be fat I won't be able to fit pretty clothes and most importantly I will be on the edge of risk fators. How do I know I am having heart palpatations? How am I supposed to exercise because of them. If I do have them how am I going to help them? I relly need to lose weight. PS If I eat salad I gag so don't recommend helthy eating

 
Being physically active is really important for getting to and maintaining a healthy weight. This does not necessarily mean formal exercise, it can be any activity you enjoy doing: riding a bike, going for a walk with a friend, or dancing to your favorite music. If you like doing an activity, you are more likely to do it on a regular basis. Remember: As long as you are moving, you will burn calories.

Caution: If you are not in the habit of doing any type of physical activity, doing too much all at once would not be a healthy way to start an exercise routine. Always check with your doctor before starting an exercise regimen. Your doctor will check your heart and lungs and discuss the best way for you to start an exercise program. You will want to let your doctor know any problems you have while exercising like shortness of breathe. Ask them to explain to you how high your pulse rate should be and what to do if you feel "palpations" while you are exercising. It is much better to start gradually until you build up working out at your maximum cardio level. The goal of cardio exercise is to bring your heart rate up above its resting level for a certain amount of time. Check out some tips for help getting started with exercise.

Practicing "mindful eating" will help you to eat less and still enjoy what you are eating. Being mindful means thinking about right now. Slow down! Think about what you are eating as you are eating it. Pay attention to the emotions you are feeling as you eat. Are you eating because you are hungry or because you are trying to feel better about something? Here is more great information about mindful eating. Have a MINDFUL DAY and GET MOVING!!!


 What exercises work best to "burn" fat away?

=> Ever since 3rd grade i started being iver weight.I remember i was 92 lbs!I was supposted to be 75!!The next year same thing,105 i was suppost to be 85,the next year iwas suppost to be 95 i was 115! last year i was 128 when i was suppost be 100!This year im 146 and im suppost to weigh 115-120!please help me!!!!!!!Im being healthy! also i was wondering what exercises work best to "burn" fat away overtime.

  Getting to a healthy weight involves both making healthy food choices and being physically active. Sometimes keeping a food and activity journal can help identify the areas that you need to work on and can help you keep track of your progress.

Aerobic or cardio exercises are activities that raise your heart rate above the resting rate for a certain amount of time and are better at "burning" away fat over time. Some examples of exercises that you can do right in your home are:

• Dancing to your favorite music in your room
• Jump Roping
• Hula hoops
• Walking or Running up and down Stairs
• Vacuuming

It is important to do these activities several times a week for the most benefit. Here are more exercise tips to help you get into the habit of being more active. Get moving and Good luck!


 Junk food after losing weight?

=> is it okay to eat junk food after losing some weight. would this put the lost weight back on

 
Junk food is usually higher in calories and fat, and often contains ingredients that our bodies cannot process as easily as the nutrients we get from fresh fruits and vegetables. It also tends to be more addicting, so we tend to eat it even when we are not hungry. So yes, there is the risk that you would gain the weight back. Ask yourself why you want to eat junk food again after working so hard to lose weight. So, DON'T DO IT!!!

Lucy has a great tip that specifically addresses this issue. How to prevent food addiction relapse.


 How fast should I lose weight?

=> is it normal to loose 3 or 4 pounds in 1 week

 
It has been shown that weight loss that occurs gradually tends to stay off and it is generally considered safe to lose 1-2 pounds per week. Your best bet for weight loss is healthy eating and exercise.

Trying to get to a healthy weight is hard work. Try to be active most days of the week and make healthier food choices whenever you can. Set small goals for yourself, for example, make a goal to try one new exercise this week. If you enjoy that activity, make a new goal to do this activity 3-4 times a week. All the small changes you make everyday will add up over weeks and months to a healthier body and a healthier YOU!


 Am I healthy weight?

=> Ok I am 12 and weight 78 lbs and I am 4 ft 8 am I healthy

 
While you didn't mention if you are male or female, you can use the weight calculator to determine which category you fall into.

To determine if someone is underweight, a healthy weight, overweight, or obese, we need to know a few things:
-Age
-Gender (male or female)
-Height
-Weight

If the weight calculator shows that you are overweight, visit the healthy weight school for more information.


 I can never lose weight!

=> i weigh 150-160 pounds and im only 11 I'm 5.1 but i just cant ever loose weight its very hard for me please help because i don't know wat to do:-(

=> hi lucy im just like you but i was wondering how can i lose weight im a sze 13/14 i rlly want to fit into a 10 what do i do please help me lucy i need you insperation!

=> i lost weight and gained it and lost some of it but i need some tips ,could you help?

 
Losing weight is hard for most people. After all, shedding pounds and keeping them off usually requires making changes in how we eat and exercise. Many kids have a set routine in the kinds and amounts of food they eat plus how active they are each day. Improving upon these habits takes a conscious effort and there are often many slip-ups before we start seeing success.

The first thing you may want to do is to list the foods you usually eat, jot down what activities you do and who you have to help you, for example a good friend. Look at this list closely to see where you may need to make any changes. Start with one or two changes at a time. If you fail one day, get right back to it the next day. It takes time to change habits.

When you are ready, visit the Healthy Weight School for more information and tips. Take it one step and one day at a time. "You can do it!"

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