Losing Weight - Teenager Style!

Isn't it enough that you're a teenager? High school to deal with, those thoughts of "does he like me?" or "does she like me?" or "how can I fit in the crowd?" start to play in your mind. You have peer pressure, you have self-pressure, you have academics, school dances, college, and for some... just life to deal with. Your body is already doing some changes at this time, but you want to know how to get rid of some extra baggage? I have a few ideas that may help you.

1. Consider dancing. Most teenagers watch music videos of some kind and have the words to a song memorized in ten seconds flat! Or at least it seems that way. On top of that they're usually trying to learn the dance steps as well. Well, use this to your advantage! Look into free dance workshops in your city and/or check with your local gym. You may find a class you're interested in that helps you learn how to dance and lose weight at the same time. Most exercise programs now aren't your typical push-ups, sit-ups, jumping jacks of old anymore... but now it's about disco and salsa and R&B moves put to music in a synchronized form for your weight loss pleasure. It's a way to combine something fun such as dancing with something as needed as exercising and being healthy.

2. Look into extracurricular activities at school. Perhaps taking up sports will help you burn off those calories. Depending on the season and your ability not only could you lose weight, but also make new friends in the process. It doesn't have to be the common sports such as football, baseball or basketball, but something that does require some energy or movement is helpful. Tennis, for example, is a great way to burn some calories. Usually you can find tennis courts in some of your local parks which is helpful for when you're not at school. If you like to run, consider track and field activities. Consider gymnastics as well. You may not be good enough for the Olympics, but it's a great way to work your entire body.

3. Go to the mall periodically. I know I threw someone for a loop with this one! I have to keep you on your toes don't I? So how will going to a mall help with anything other than losing calories in your wallet. Well, have you seen a mall that was small? Most malls to get from one end to another will take some time, right? We have a mall in the northern suburbs of Chicago called Gurnee Mills mall. I'll usually park on one end and make my way through the corridors and get to the other end and find it took me at least fifteen minutes to get there... and that's assuming I didn't stop to window-shop in any of the other stores. Factor in the time to walk around different stores and that could easily become a half-hour or forty-five minutes. Now imagine that times two. So now you see how a trip to mall can actually generate a valid workout for you! You won't even have to spend a dime, except maybe to actually get there.

4. Learn how to cook for yourself. You are now at an age where you're doing more and more things for yourself, by choice. Well, take this desire of independence to another level... learn how to cook! I'm not just saying this for women, but this goes for men also! Brothers, learn how to cook for yourself. When you become of age and you get married it'll be great if your wife is an excellent cook, but just think how much more appealing it'll be to her if YOU can actually throw-down in the kitchen also... with some healthy foods. Brother, please! It's all over. I'm not saying become a chef, just learn how to do some basic things with food and it'll take you a long way in life. I think part of my cooking expertise was due to heredity. My parents knew how to cook; both of them. My wife can cook. I can cook. I want to teach my children how to cook, so they'll be proficient in the kitchen as well. Again, I'm not trying to make gourmet chefs out of them, just giving them another tool in order to make it through life. If you know how to cook, you have more control of your food choices... and if you're working on losing weight, those choices will come in handy.

5. Bike to your destination instead of driving. Most children nowadays have a bike of their own. I know one big thing that teenagers desire is getting their drivers license so that they can drive places instead of waiting on public transportation or riding the school bus or whatever. Consider riding a bike. Biking is a great form of exercise and a great way for you to get around. Especially when you have an economy such as the one we're in currently, it's a great method of saving money at your age.

Regardless of your method, don't spend all your teenage years trying to look a certain way. They're meant to be enjoyed because trust me, you won't get them back. Don't succumb to peer pressure or what television says you should look like or put ideas in your head about what clothes you should wear. Love yourself where you are even as you aspire to achieve your weight loss goals.