 Cow's milk vs soy milk to lose weight |
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=> My friend has lost a lot of weight after switching from skimmed cows milk to low fat soya milk. Should I consider this too as I am desperate to lose weight?
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  Lower fat and calorie food and drink choices are part of an overall healthy diet. If you are currently drinking skim milk, switching to a low fat soy milk alone will not make you lose weight. However, if you are drinking whole milk or 2%, a change to a low fat milk beverage would be a good choice for you. Weight loss will occur if low or non-fat milk is part of an overall healthy weight loss plan, including 3 healthy meals and 2 healthy snacks per day.
It’s a good idea to read the nutritional labels on the packages, as soy milk may not contain enough calcium for your bones to be healthy. Click this tip for information on reading nutritional labels:
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| Teasing |
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=> Everyone teases me about my weight. All the time, and I'm getting sick of it. There's a boy in my class named "Abe". Abe is the school nurse's son, and also the teacher's pet. He gets away with calling me fat. I try to laugh it off, but it's getting annoying. The other day, he called me fat, I gave him a knuckle noogie(not hard) and he whined to the teacher about it. I tried to tell her that he called me fat, but she didn't want to hear it, and she said that I should've told her. She wouldn't have gotten Abe in trouble anyway! Help!
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Unfortunately, kids tease other kids about many things: clothes, hair, what kind of car their parents drive, and weight, just to name a few. If you weren't overweight, the bully would find something else to tease you about. Often, their goal is to get a reaction from the person they are teasing as they are insecure and it makes them feel better about themselves.
 Teasing is very painful, and I know it’s hard, but if you can try to ignore the bully, he will no longer be getting the reaction he is looking for, and he will eventually get tired of you as a target.
Talk to a friend or a teacher you trust. Have you noticed the bully teases other kids? Approach those kids and hang out together. You can work together to stand up to the bully and make some new friends.
Click here for some other suggestions about dealing with teasing. |
| High calorie and tempting foods |
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=> My mom bought these really tasty chickin strips. the problem is, they are 240 calories, and hav 24% protein. if i eat it, i will get 240 calories( bad ) and 24% protein ( good ) Lucy,i need ur help!!!
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 It is great that you are reading the labels and identifying foods that are not as healthy for you. This is a big step in breaking the unhealthy food cycle. Many foods are made to make us want them more, and are very addictive. These foods are generally foods high in fat or sugar. It is hard to avoid these foods and to stop craving them, but you seem to be on the right track.
Ask your mom if you can shop with her, and read the labels at the store. Try to find a lower fat option (I have seen grilled chicken strips in the frozen section that also have a lot of protein, but less fat and calories and are great on salads and in sandwiches) I would guess the strips that your mom bought have a high percentage of fat also. If you do eat them, remember to watch your portions and balance them out with some fresh veggies or fruits.
Click this tip for information on Reading nutritional labels. |
| How do I get motivated to exercise? |
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=> My mom says running is the best way to burn off weight but whenever i say im going to run i always say something like nah well maybe tomorrow or i dont feel like it how do i force myself?
=> I NEED HELP BECAUSE I AM FAT AN OVERWEIGHT. I WEIGH 162 OR 166 POUNDS AND I AM 4"10 INCHES TALL I NEED TO LOSE WIEGHT...CAN YOU HELP ME WITH MY EATING PROBLEMS AND EXECRISE
=> I really HATE exercizing and it seems like it never works any suggestions on how to make it more fun
=> I have weight issues.I'm 150 pounds and 5'4.I always feel bad and i want to know how to drop at least 20 to 30 pounds. My mom’s always nagging me about me being fatter than my friends. Honestly, I know I'm a little over weight but I just make excuses about exercising all the time. Can you PLEASE help me on how to lose weight and feel better about myself ?
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Just as it took a while for overeating to become a habit, it will take some time to develop the habit of being more active. Sometimes we "get down" on ourselves if we overeat or don't exercise one day, so we give up. Breaking the food addiction takes time, patience, and work. The key is don't give up and believe in yourself! Low self-esteem is a common concern among overweight teens, and even non overweight teens. Check out this tip for some ways to improve your self-esteem.
 Ideally, exercise should be a combination of strength training (to build muscle) and aerobic activity (activity that raises your heart rate and is good for your heart and lungs). While running is a common form of exercise for many people, it is not for everyone. Some people have knee or foot pain that makes running not an option, or they may not want to be seen at the gym or out on the trails.
Decide on activities that are fun for you, and that you can do at home. It is important to “just do it” at first, even when you don’t feel like it. Find an exercise buddy, and work together to meet your goals. It is more fun to go for a walk if you have someone to chat with while you are doing it.
Start slow… dance to 3 upbeat songs, walk or run up and down a flight of stairs 2 times twice a day. Gradually increase the length of time to do these activities, and soon, you will notice you feel better and that you actually look forward to your “exercise.” It won’t seem like such an effort after all. If that seems too difficult at this time, you can “lift weights” while watching TV! Keep a couple of bottles of water by your favorite chair and use them as weights to do arm curls during commercials. Starting somewhere is better than not starting at all. Exercising even a little today, is better than waiting until tomorrow. Get going!!!
Click here to find some helpful websites on this subject. |
| Overeating |
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=> I was wondering what i should do about eating to much
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This is a very common problem among teens. Do you eat when you aren’t hungry? Do you eat to feel better because of some way that you are feeling: bored? stressed? anxious? lonely? Overeating becomes a habit, just like smoking becomes a habit, or addiction.
A good way to start breaking the overeating habit is to write down in a notebook what you are feeling when you reach for food. Once you identify why you are eating, you can take steps to substitute a different activity for overeating.
This tip can help you BREAK THE OVEREATING HABIT. Good luck!
For more information on overeating and how to lose weight, visit our Healthy Weight School |
| Exercise Challenges |
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=> I've been told I need to lose 20 pounds but ive got an ankle injury, this prevens me taking part in sports and walking can be painful. My physio say it vcould take months but i feel so fat. Any ideas on how i can lose weight. and plz dont suggest my doctor, ive had enough of the doctors office for a while
=> I'm back again because I have another question. If you are unable to join sports, and your local gyms don't allow 14 year olds to work out there, then what is an easy way to exercise at home? Walking didn't do me any good considering I live in AK, and it's dark here half the time.
=> If I am 11 what are some fun ways that i can excercise. I also am pretty sensitive when people see me working out so i try to ignore it but whenever my sister sees me working out she gets this weird look on her face and then i feel sad and just quit. And also, would getting my mom into my workouts help me be more motivated?
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Many overweight kids find it difficult to exercise the conventional ways: school sports, running, and exercise gyms are common examples kids place low on their exercise list. There may be different reasons to avoid these types of activities, such as injury, safety concerns, and embarrassment. The good news is there are other ways to get your heart rate up, burn calories, and start feeling better about yourself.
If you have a specific injury, consider exercising a different part of the body. For example, if one has a sprained ankle, then that still leaves the arms, chest, back, and stomach areas to work on! ToneTeen.com has a useful guide to strength training different body areas at ToneTeen.com - Fitness. Low impact exercises such as yoga can also be useful when one is recovering from an injury. Check out yoga DVDs from your library.
Ideally exercise will consist both of strengthening and cardiovascular exercises. If one doesn't have an injury, but avoids common exercises for other reasons, then there are almost always additional options at home. Here are a few ways to get your heart rate up, even when you stay inside!
• Dancing to your favorite music in your room
• Jump Roping (make sure you have enough space between you and furniture and the ceiling for the rope not to hit anything - garages can be good)
• Hula hoops - find these at your local dollar store
• Dance Dance Revolution ➜ ➜
• Walking or Running up and down Stairs
• Vacuuming
• Scavenger Hunt using Kidnetic.com
More Helpful Websites for Physical Activity
If your mom, dad, siblings, or friends are interested in working out with you, they may help motivate you to exercise regularly because each of you will be trying to be accountable to the other. Plus, for many kids, it's more fun when they have a weight loss buddy. Your friends may think of additional ways to exercise that you will both look forward to doing. |
| Can I lose weight fast by drinking green tea? |
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=> is drinking 6-8 ounces of green tea a good plan to loose weight fast? i read that it has helped a lot of people.the average weight loss was 6lbs in a week
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Losing weight as fast as 6 pounds per week is never a good idea. People who lose this much weight in a short period are probably losing water, not fat. This is one reason why they will gain the weight back quickly. If you want to look more trim and keep off weight, then aim to lose fat which can be done at a slower rate of 1-2 pounds (1/2-1 kilogram) per week.
However, green tea is a great alternative to high calories drinks. Drinking a lot of sweetened fruit juice, soda pop, and shakes will ultimately cause us to gain weight. Green tea is low in calories and contains substances that protect cells in our bodies and reduce our chance of developing cancer. If you drink green tea instead of a high calorie drink, even part of the time, then you will likely start to lose some weight.
Image courtesy of happykanppy at FreeDigitalPhotos.net |
| Unhelpful Doctors & Unsupportive or Teasing Parents |
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=> Dear Lucy
I absoloutely want to lose weight. I know about all the risks about being overweight and I try to eat healthily except I give up. I really don't want to go to a doctor or to my parents, who just tease me, no unkindly just not realising how FAT I FEEL AND AM.
=> heyy well this is my frist time on your site and i just need help i'm only 14 and 75 pounds overweight i went to the doctor and he didnt help much he big himself it hurts the fact the people dont want me and i jus PLEASE need your help please tell me what did you do to lose weight what was your weekly food everything plus i even tired deit pills thats not allowed in the country witch kills people but i dudnt care just want to lose weight
=> I don't have the support of my family. My mom cooks unhealthy food for my stepdad and keeps irresistable snacks for him in the house. Everyone wants me to lose weight but the house is full of junk food.
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Even though kids may know that they are overweight and want to do something about it, sometimes the people we most expect to help us (doctors and parents) are not there when we need them. You are not alone. For example, in a poll from our site, just over 1/3 of kids said that the doctors did not even  mention that they were overweight. Of the remaining kids whose doctor said something about their weight, 1/2 reported that they did not offer any suggestions in how to lose weight. Even among the kids whose doctors talked to them about what to do about being overweight, many claimed that they were uncomfortable receiving the information for various reasons: they weren't ready to lose weight, it was embarrassing to hear their weight status from another person, the doctor's suggestions in weight loss did not seem helpful, and sometimes doctor's comments were rude.
It requires two ingredients for doctors and kids to form a winning team for weight loss. One, the child has to be ready to lose weight. Two, the doctor (or another health professional like a nurse practitioner, nurse, or dietitian) needs to be friendly and open to discussing weight loss strategies with the child in a positive and supportive manner. Read Renee's Story, age 13, to see how she found a doctor who helped her start losing substantial weight.
Parents can be unsupportive in different ways: teasing and keeping the house stocked with "irresistible snacks" among them. There are many different reasons why parents may act this way. To make sense of why they are not helping you lose weight and possible solutions, please visit our tip that specifically addresses this problem: When Parents are Unsupportive and Siblings Tease.
Remember Renee's Story where her pediatrician (kids' doctor) did not want her to lose more than 4 pounds per month? Even though diet pills or some promise of a quick fix to weight loss can be tempting, they rarely work and can put your life at risk. Being overweight can be hard, and even though we may feel unloved or like people don't want us at times, it is important to keep in mind that not only do some people have a hard time showing their love, there are also many people you have yet to meet who will enjoy your company in the future. Read about how Lawrence got through his parents' divorce in Lawrence Fills His Blue Tank. We hope this last tip will help you get through the tougher times in your life. |
| Junk food, Ketchup, Pop, Chocolate = Irresistible Foods |
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=> hi lucy. i have a slight problem. i have a tendency to eat lots of foods with ketchup, including healthy ones. foods without the ketchup don,t taste real good. i could i eat the food i love w/out ketchup???????
=> i also have been drinking a lot of pop.so can you PLEASE HELP Me
=> my "addiction" to chocolate is ruining my health i have little to no self control against eating it. HELP ive gone from 135 punds to 152 pounds in just one year or less YIKES
=> Hi, i have a question on ow to lose belly fat and weight. I have always loved food, and i eat too much of t most of the time. I eat mostly jink food and now my legs and my belly are very big. I am only 14, 5'4'', and i wweigh 180. Please help me
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Some kids have specific problem foods (ketchup, pop, and chocolate are listed in the questions above). Other kids may have trouble with many foods but they are usually all within the junk or fast food category.
One way to see if you are actually hungry rather than experiencing a craving, is to ask yourself, would you eat something else instead like an apple or a carrot? If you give in to cravings for these junks foods when you are truly not hungry, then you will tend to gain weight, which is why most of you are asking for help in the first place! The goal is to learn how to say goodbye to the food drug.
Here are some highlights from the above tip:
• Quit one junk food or two at a time
• Know your triggers (boredom, stress, loneliness)
• Know what junk food withdrawal feels like for you
(antsy, headaches, crawling skin, general discomfort)
• Prepare to stop eating the junk food
• Pick a date
• Do not diet hard core.
• Drink lots of water.
• Squeeze your hands together when you get a craving, it will pass.
• Believe in yourself
Image courtesy FreeDigitalPhotos.net |
| Am I overweight? |
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=> hi im 14 years old and im 5'6 and im 175 and i feel very fat all my close friends are like 120 and i have tried to lose wight before but diets dint work for me. should i really take action and lose this waight and ya i want to be at least 145 or am i just thinking to must about this please help thansk :)
=> What weight should I be if I am 5 ft 10 female, stocky built?
=> I'm 5ft 6 and i weigh 192... Is that overweight? I don't get teased or anything so I must not look it? I want to lose weight anyway How can I?
=> iam 11 ill be 12 in abou a month and iam 122 pounds but i come from a muscular family and im comparing myself to other girls should i worry am i over weight?
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This is one of the most common questions kids ask us: "Am I overweight?".
In order to determine whether you are underweight, healthy weight, overweight, or obese, we need 4 things.
1) Birthdate
2) Male or Female
3) Height
4) Weight
With these 4 things, use the Weight Calculator on our website to determine your BMI (body mass index) percentile. For kids (under 20 years of age), find the BMI percentile category that fits you.
• BMI 1st to 4th percentile: Underweight
• BMI 5th to 84th percentile: Healthy Weight
• BMI 85th to 94th percentile: Overweight
• BMI 95th to 100th percentile: Obese
Ask a doctor or school nurse to confirm that you are assessing your weight status correctly. Do they come up with the same BMI percentile figure? Make sure you and your health provider are using BMI PERCENTILES, and not BMI numbers. BMI numbers are for adults. BMI percentiles are for measuring children and teens under 20 years of age. |
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