Teen Looking For Some Help

hi megan,
i also struggle with my weight. I was always very chubby even as a toddler. My problem was i always grew up around food. in my family i was taught to love food and thats what i did. iv never tried dieting as i am one of the people who hate anything that takes to long. i have exactly the same problem as you. my friends are all skinny which makes me feel worse. in my opinion diet is a scary word i find that eating healthy sounds nicer and also your not stuck to a certain plan of eating. if you are like me and love food just learn to love good, healthy food. rather than having small meals and lots of snacks (as i used to) try having 3 healthy sized meals a day and limit yourself to a few snacks a day.fruit and nuts are good. in my opinion until you can find something that works for you just be confident. if you feel confident you will feel better in yourself which will make you stop wanting as much food to comfort you. youll get through it.
P.S. i am so sorry to hear about your parents divorce.

Hi Megan,



There are three things you can do to lose weigth, best if practiced together but they can work by themselves just not very well.



Firstly, Cut down your caloric intake.

This means not cutting out carbs or cutting out protein but reducing the total load of energy your body takes in. Although this sounds drastic it simply means eating at least one less item per day. If you are unfamiliar with them look for nutritional tables on the side of the packets. These will give you the total energy load that is in each food per serve and per unit. If you add up how much lot of energy load you will get your total daily intake. It is simply a matter of reducing your intake, any reduction will lead to weight loss. And when it comes to wanting food (one of my biggest problems) try things like Cyllium Wheat Husk, it is filling but has almost no energy value for the body. It doesn't taste good though.



Second, Increase your activity.

This can be as simple as walking instead of riding in a car or bus, taking the stairs instead of the lift, etc. You don't need to start jogging, in fact jogging only burns up five calories more than brisk walking does over the same time! Remeber any physical activity will burn calories, ANY. So just do a little more than you do now and you will burn off your bodys fat deposits.



Finally, tell someone.You can only go so far by yourself, "No man is an Island" as they say. Find someone you trust, someone who has your best interests at heart and tell them about your wanting to lose weight. Let them become your personal cheer squad. When we recieve positive re-enforment we often find that we want less for our comforts and in many cases this is food.



I have lost weight myself, (35 kilograms/72 pounds and counting) and I also work into the sciences with with experince in bio-physiology. I know what I am talking about, you can do it if you want. Just remeber you are 16 and your body is in a constant state of flux and will be until your early twenties. Your weight will fluctuate over the years, months and even days. If you go up between one week and the next don't give up I'll bet if you stick at it over the year you will go down.



I would be happy to help you if you need with diet and exercise tips, bio-mechanics and bio-chemistry. If you wish just message me. May you have every success in your endevor.

Hi Megan,

Did you ever try contacting your local hospital for support groups for eating disorders? I think it's helpful to have a safe place to go and share with others the struggles you have. It's a great way too to perhaps find an accountability partner...someone that you could exercise with, for example.

To put it simply Megan, weight control is all about portion control. No soda, plenty of water and exercise. And when in doubt of size of portion, use your fist to measure, 1 fist 4 a meat, 1 fist 4 a starch, 2 fist of vegtables or fruit. BUT the MOST IMPORTANT thing is to send yourself positive messages stop the negative message issues. Go to the library get Dr. Phil's book about the 7 keys. It explains a lot of the emotional eating issues that most of us overweight people are dealing with. Most of the time we are overweight/underweight because we feel that's the only thing we can control in our lives, especially when parents divorce or you have some other life changing event that you couldn't control. Your parent's divorce is not your fault, they are 2 grown ups that aren't getting along. In the long run you could have a better relationship with both of them seperately if you can look at them as individuals. I would think that your life would be better without them fighting all the time. Lots of times when parents divorce they feel that in the long run it's better for the child to not have to deal with their parents fighting all the time. Even though they're parents they are still people with feelings that can be hurt just like you. If you feel you can talk to them without anger becoming an issue, I suggest you sit down and tell them how all these changes in your life have made you feel. I'm a divorced mother, my 22 y/o daughter and I have had many conversations about this subject. She is lucky that her dad and I live a couple miles from each other so it's easy for her to see either one of us. But it wasn't easy on her to give up the idea that her mom and dad would get back together. It happens sometimes, but as you will find out in life sometimes it's hard to go back, it takes work on both parties to resolve the issues that caused the problems to begin with. Keep talking on the site, find out your not alone. Anytime you want to you can contact me I'll listen.

the easiest way I have found to lose weight was to find a target weight (for me it was 150 lbs.) then put a zero on the end of that number (1500) and that is how many calories you are allowed in one day. Don't cheat. You can eat whatever you want, just don't exceed your number.

Im trying to lose too.

I have tried eating 5 or 6 meals a day,...lots n lots of water no late night snacking or eating 3 hrs before bedtime. I bought a Richard Simmons work out DVD, its not too hard I do that daily and i was told today i look thinner!! YEAH!! Also, daily vitimans and just moving around more not sitting at the computer or tv all day. GOOD LUCK. Also, If you can go to..... you tube there is a music video by jojo called exceptional....listen to it if u can. I dedicated that song to my 13 yr old daughter. All women are beautiful!!!!

Hi

There are many ways and methods for losing weight, some good, some bad. The bad are pills or powder which claim they can make you thin within weeks. This is a bold statement to make and the powders and pills usually have you visiting the bathroom a lot more. So, by running back and forward to the bathroom you will inevitably burn off more calories(lol) and probably lose some weight. Seriously though, even if you did lose weight via supplements you will put that weight back on after you have finished using them.

My opinion is that realistically you don't necessarily need to lose weight but lose fat and create muscle. This way you will not be fat but you will be toned and look good which can often mean you are not any lighter as muscle ways heavier than fat. It is hard work to get in shape but if you want it enough then anyone can achieve their goals.

Get into the mindset of telling yourself that you will achieve it (always be positive) . Low calorie diets will fail, so will starving yourself . These 2 will maybe lose you some weight(and muscle) but then the body will fight back with alarm bells ringing and go into starvation mode in which you will not lose any more weight but probably find yourself goorgeing on some unhealthy food which will put the weight back on.

Eat healthy and regular( approx every 3 hours). Feed the muscle with protein foods like chicken, fish,eggs and get your energy from carbohydrates with low fat(non saturates) like bread and pasta. Snacks should be fruit and I feel that a chocolate biscuit will not harm anyone(but just make that your treat for the day-no more than one). Ok so that is the eating side of things now for the hard work. Regular exercise, combined with the eating plan i have mentioned, must be done at least 3 times a week. Go for a run- start off short runs then increase the length of run or try and beat your previous time. Go to gym- regularly increase your lifting weights and stay on treadmill for an extra minute each week.

Once you get your head round your new routine which will in time give you the figure you want you can always do this and keep the weight off. Get it into your mind, think about it all the time and take these steps i have suggested and anyone can do it. Hope this helps

i will give u the best thing to do..1-u have to play 6 times a week at the gym for 2 hours ( if u want a flat stomach )2-try eating less from the kaybohydrate !! and try to eat little from everything...try to not make ur self full !! 3-dont ever drink water after or when ur eating breakfast,lunch and dinner it will make ur stomach nonflat !!4-try to walk for 2 hours a day have fun go to parties but go back home walking 5-dont eat junk food like burger king or macdonald or what ever 5-dont eat meets , chocolates , rice 6-try eating fruits and vegetables a lot ! it really helps !7-do 20 times push up in a day !!

ps : i use to do all this stuff and i have losed 56 lbs and now i have the sexeist body in the high school and i have a flat stomach and seriously i really look different :)good luck

love aQua :)

One way to lose weight is to be active. Start walking around the block or the track at school. Walk when you go to the store or to meet friends. Walk up and down the stairs at the stadium. Don't eat before going to bed, it is a waste of calories. Good luck.

i'm in the same situation. i mean im not that fat - but i have a stomach and i dont want it. it makes me feel so self concious and my parents especially my dad constantly remind me that im fat or that i should probly lose someweight. its pretty degrading cause they dont even do it in that freindly way they should, and i just pretend it doesnt bother me but in truth i do want to lose weight ------- im not sure if its any good but i eat less now and eat a lil healthier but it doesnt make much difference

i'm in the same situation. i mean im not that fat - but i have a stomach and i dont want it. it makes me feel so self concious and my parents especially my dad constantly remind me that im fat or that i should probly lose someweight. its pretty degrading cause they dont even do it in that freindly way they should, and i just pretend it doesnt bother me but in truth i do want to lose weight ------- im not sure if its any good but i eat less now and eat a lil healthier but it doesnt make much difference

ok, im slightly over wieght as well, but im losing weight.

i walk about half a mile a day and i only drink water. i always check the "fatfrom caleries" lable on the food i eat. if its over 50, try not to eat it. im turning 15 this month and all i want is angel food cake which is low on fat and raspberry sherbert.

i am in the same boat and please help me

iam 18 and i am at 214 and i hate it and i need help

Please don't listen to anyone telling you not to eat... or what not to eat.

The key is to eat more moderately....

Spread out small meals throughout the day. Like 6 half meals instead of 3 large ones.

Eat healthy lean food, always.

Don't eat before bed.

Wait till you are hungry, eat and chew slowly and throughly and you will feel more full.

Never starve yourself, your body will get into the habit of reserving fat.

Exercise as much as you can.

oh, you sound so just like me. I am 14, and i've always been afraid that someone i know, even friends of years think "she's soo fat". the time i told my mum i wanted to loose weight, i was so scared and worried i started weeping on the phone. Then my dad decided he would help me (my parents are also divorced). The best thing is not to eat junk food, and to work out everyday. And i haven't told my friends i've been doing this, because, like you, i am afraid they see me as a low self-steem person.

Anything you need, you can talk to me (:

Ahoi there everyone! If you want to lose weight, I suggest reading through this post every morning and every night, ticking off things you did, and making a note of what you think the most important thing to focus on will be tomorrow. It'll be hard, and you won't always succeed in your mini-missions; but remember to forgive yourself: you've made the first step and are actually beginning to do something about it.



Live how you want (truly, deep down) to live, and the rest will follow :)

Oh and dear original poster (micmegan), do you see how amazing your original post was? Very few get this kind of attention on here, and less draw so many others out to comment being in the same situation. To all of you: you still have the gift of communication and making connections with people. Hope is not lost =)

calm down i use to weight 12 stone now im only 6.8 so keep at it and believe

Holy crap there is so much advice here!The main prob is time, bein in school and studying leaves little time to plan meals, excercise etc...The best advice I ever got was to not eat anything white. Pick some of ur fave healthy foods and stock up them. I love walnuts & berries so I keep a stash with me to snack on. Seriously, snack on healthy stuff all day (but make sure u love it) good luck hun xox

i am also very young (only thirteen)

i've lost 27 pounds of pure fat and built muscle because of excercising alone

bottom line is.... if you wanna lose weight u've GOT TO EXCERCISE!!!

don't try stupid crash diets either its useless and you will regain the weight and not get your nutrition required....

some tips are to find a sport thats right for you, eat 500 calories less than you are supposed to, DRINK GREEN TEA and switch from 2 percent milk (for example) to skim milk or switch from white bread to whole wheat bread

ALSO

do not just look at calories...

look at carbs, sugar,fat,trans-fat etc.

keep a food journal and if you are excercising, do not go below 1500 calories especially because you are a teen growing. Sleep is very important too. You should get atleast eight hours of sleep.

I think that you have already heard this TONS of times but have four to six meals a day. But eat less than you would in a normal meal (spread it out). This way your metabolism will become faster resulting in WEIGHT LOSS! :D

weight loss is very easy...well atleast it was for me because im only thirteen...

weight training to build muscle is also benificial because muscle burns fat and the more you have, the more fat burnt.

remember to treat yourself once a week

BUT DONT PIG OUT

have a good PORTIONED out dessert.

dont go all crazy with it.

DO NOT DEPRIVE URSELF THOUGH and take it easy...the first stage is always the hardest.



hope ive helped :))))

Hey you dont have to feel bad about it... sometimes when you look at yourself you think youre larger than you really are... everyones like it... but i would suggest cutting back a bit and leave all the food filled with **** for every now and again... but i'm pretty sure you're a gorgeouse amazingly awesome girl... and people who judge you by the way you look are jerks and aren't worth your time... find friends who love you for you x

Ok girl im gonna make this real easy for u. First off drink only water cause it has no calories and is really good to keep ur muscles hydrated, also eat about 6 meals a day that are smaller in size cause even tho ur eating more ur body doesnt store as much of the food as fat because it knows it will be feed soon again. Whole wheat foods are the good types of carbs since they take a very long time to digest and u will be doing things so ur body won't convert it to sugar than store it as fat. Most important is eat more lean protein like chicken, tuna, egg whites, etc. protein is only meant for building and fixing muscles and it will give u some calories but very low fat content, but remember lean proteins so yes a hamburger has a ton of protein in it, it also has a lot of trans fat and fat that will not help u at all. Finally be more active. Joining a gym is probably ur best bet since they have everything you need and you can use it whenever you want. Cardio stuff is good for losing fat because it makes your heart pump faster and is forced to use that stored fat as fuel to keep going, which is the whole point of stored fat. However doing weights helps as well cause it builds muscle which is essentially what you wanna do since muscle looks better, uses more calories so less can be stored as fat, and will make you stronger to be able to do things easier.



That's pretty much it. Losing weight is really easy since you could just eat smaller portions of whatever you are eating now and still lose weight, but if you want be gains in weight lose your gonna have to be mentally prepared to work very hard and be able to turn down the temptations of foods that are not helping in your weight loss goal. You need any help or questions about something msg me i'll be glad to help.

You say you started gaining weight when your parents got devorced?

Id say the route of your weight problem is a complex emotion issue stemming from your parents divorce.

Your subconcious(or concious even) is hurt so it seeks the quick fix of eating to grant instant gratification.

I don't think any diet will work for long until you work this out somehow.

Theres no one way to deal with stuff like this, but sometimes just being concious of it is enough to help.

I hope I was of help. :)

I am 12 and i feel the same way, i am shy but since im so young i dont want to tell anyone that im fat or want to go on a diet

Hi,

4 words, simple concept - Calories In, Calories Out. Think about it... if you're always eating a little too much, your body is just going to store it. But if you always eat a little less than what you use, your body will give some up.



I'm a 46 yr. old married man. As a kid I was told that I was fat (I wasn't), but I had that image in my head and was always very self conscious and it really influenced how I saw myself. Later in life, I developed some food issues. Ultimately, I gained a lot when my wife was pregnant (sympathy eating) and kept it on for 12 yrs. And my self worth went in the toilet.



I tried every diet: Atkins, Southbeach, peal a pound, 3 day, etc. These attempts always failed and I felt worse every time - a total failure. And last year I made a realization - I failed because I hated what I was doing - diet food sucked, felt like a starving waif, etc. And then I decided to just eat things that I LIKE, but control my portions (I also eliminated many 'bad' foods, ie. too much fats, sugars, etc. - but I still eat things that I LIKE). Portion control means counting calories. This is work, especially when you start out, but it is totally rewarding because if you stay within your limits, you WILL see results. As it becomes routine, it gets much easier and you figure out what you can go for and what you can't There are some good ways to count calories: computer programs, websites, books, etc. (I use a program called Calorie King and had some success with weight watchers, but do some research and find something that you LIKE that works for you.)



Add to this exercise. You don't have to do anything that hurts or over exerts you. I walk my dogs about an hour a day most days along with a few simple crunches and push ups thrown in. My daughter got me to try pull ups... I can finally do one! Again, find a simple thing that you LIKE and will continue to do. And remember, the more you exercise, the larger your portions can be.



This doesn't address the emotional aspects of food and how we sometimes use it for comfort, etc. But if you recognize a pattern in your behavior you can begin to address it and try to avoid or confront those situations that trigger emotional eating. Gaining control of these circumstances is a very powerful experience. Other people may not understand, or may even try to undermine you, but stick to what works for you.



End results for me: I lost 35# over about a year and am still going. There was a lot of up and down and setbacks, but it has gotten easier over time. And I feel much healthier, and better about myself.

I completely agree with 7-7-10 system ....+ a physically active lifestyle .....

dont feel bad about yourself megan there is still hope.unicity is the key!

Hi Megan

First of all sweetheart, there is nothing wrong with being fat, you are who you are, you must not think you are any different fromanyone else....You maynot like yourself but I'm pretty sure there are plenty of people who do....I don't know how many diets you've tried but I have a 100% one and I guarantee you will lose weight....Now those big dinner plates you use for breakfast, lunch and dinner.....Change them for a smaller one, don't put so much on them...drink about a quart and a half of water a day.....cut out the sugar, and the chocolates, you can eat what you usually eat but cut it down to half of what you did eat.... Another thing don't do this for anyone but yourself, if someone doesn't like you now, they're not going to change their opinion when you are slim... So do this for yourself ok? Some people have a gastric band fitted.....Now whats that all about? ....It's because they eat to much and they are just to lazy to do anything about it.....It's exactly the same as what I'm saying, Yes it will take a little will power but I just know you have that, and don't forget to do a little exercise... just a brisk walk around the block 2 or 3 times to start with will be enough until your ready to go that little bit further....So Megan, are you going to make us all proud of you?? try it ...say for a month, then let us know if you lost a dress size ok?? The only thing that makes you put on weight is food , so cut it down, and cut out all the sweet and sugary things....

We all know you can do it, so don't let us down

I cannot see you and therefore am unable to judge your visual representation!

Does that make it easier for you to talk? I think that at this point , you are your greatest critic!

Love yourself - especially when there are things about you that you feel need to be changed!

I understand that you were able to find comfort in food when things were uncomfortable within your environment.

Now that you feel that a change is in order, find ways to change your behavior that will lead to the physical changes you desire.

In life there are only TWO things that you can hope to have some control over;

Your actions,

Your reaction to the things that happen to or around you. PERIOD!

It will not always be easy - it will prove to be rewarding.

That is life!