Message Replying To

From Abbie, Age 15

Ht. 5'4", Start: 147 lb, Today: 143 lb, Goal: 125 lb - Not all of this advice is mine but I did write some. So here are 9 tips on losing weight. Thanks. 1. SNACK, BUT SMARTLY Everyone loves snacks, but don't try for your everyday chips or cookies. Try a fruit salad. 2. TURN OFF THE TV Looking at the TV or IPod or any electrical device can add the pounds, so instead go to the park, mess around with friends like you did when you were little 3. STEP ON THE SCALE DAILY If your regular weight increases several days in a row, it's a red flag letting you know you need to cut back a little or beef up your workouts slightly. 4. SCULPT THREE TIMES A WEEK Doing 5 minutes each of push-ups, lunges, and squats (in 30-second intervals) will help build and maintain muscle mass. The more muscle you have, the higher your metabolism will be, so you'll torch more calories as you go about your day. 5. REACH FOR YOUR CELL If you want to hang out with friends and you call them walk around a little while your on the phone with them. I pace naturally while talking on the phone. It helps with the exercising  6. EAT A BIG, BALANCED BREAKFAST An a.m. meal made up mostly of carbs and protein with some fat keeps blood-sugar levels steady and hunger pangs away so you're not susceptible to pigging out come lunch, studies show. Opt for something satisfying for your stomach and taste buds — like egg whites and turkey bacon with whole-wheat toast. 7. HAVE FRUIT TWICE A DAY Fruit has no fat and is mostly water, so it'll fill you up while leaving less room on your plate (and in your stomach) for high-cal fare. Don't freak about fruit's carb count — we're talking the good kind of carbohydrates that contain lots of healthy fiber. 8. STAY ASLEEP LONGER Getting to bed just 30 minutes earlier and waking up 30 minutes later than you normally do can help you make better food choices, because your well rested. Also, when you're well-rested, you're less prone to snacking out of fatigue or stress. 9. VISUALIZE YOURSELF THIN When you feel your willpower breaking, conjure up a mental picture of yourself when you look and feel slim. The visual motivation keeps you focused on your goal weight.