Safe Ways for Teens to Lose Weight in Two Months

Because of the boom in the fast food industry, as well as computers and video games becoming popular entertainment activities, many teens and children eat unhealthy, low-nutritional foods and practice sedentary lifestyles. As a result, many of them are overweight, or even obese, and have poor self-esteem. They have healthy, safe ways to lose weight in two months that involve making lifestyle changes.

Eat Healthy

• Eating fruits and veggies is a great way to eat healthy.

  Many teens simply don't eat the right foods, nor do they eat the right portions. We live in a culture where it's convenient to pick fast food. The problem is that fast food has limited nutritional value and the meals tend to come in over-sized proportions.

  To lose weight, teens should consider eating smaller portions. This might mean eating half of a meal portion at a restaurant that will satisfy their appetites. Also, during a two month period, she should try to cut down on fast food. Limit fast food to once a week and cut down proportions. This will cut unsaturated fat from the diet during the two month time period.

  Eating breakfast is important too. Eating a good nutritional breakfast with protein, whole grains and a serving or two of fruits every day for two months will jump-start their metabolism and provide energy. It will also help keep them from bingeing later in the day.

  Part of the problem is that teens tend to eat a lot of unsaturated fat and drink colas that contain a lot of sugars. Doing small things such as dropping soda for water and snacking on fruits and vegetables instead of fatty or sugary foods make a large difference. In fact, teens should be eating 7-9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

  One thing teens should never do is ban their favorite foods. Banning foods will create temptation that can eventually lead to bingeing. The secret is to eat favorite foods--but in moderation.

  If a teen makes these lifestyle changes and keeps doing these for 2 months, he or she will see a drop in weight at the end of the time period.

Become Active

• Stretching, or practicing yoga, is a good way to get the heart pumping and allow the muscles to work.

  If teens cut unsaturated fat from their diet, they'll find they have more energy. This is a good thing because many teens and children aren't active enough to sustain a healthy lifestyle. Many popular modern-day activities for teens include watching television, playing video games or sitting at the computer visiting social networks. These are sedentary activities that don't allow much movement.

  Teens should become more active. This doesn't mean they have to run out and join a team sport, or take up aerobics. Becoming active can mean that finding things they like to do, such as swim, dance, hike. Anything that gets their hearts pumping and their muscles moving is a healthy activity. During the two month period, he or she should find ways to be active a little every day, but if busy academic schedules prevent this, she or he should get with a friend at least 2-3 times a week and find fun activities, such as skating.

Be Realistic About Expectations

• Be realistic about what you need to lose or what is healthy for you.

  Many teens, especially girls, get ideas in their heads about what they should look like, or what their weight has to be. It's better to focus on being healthy and feeling good instead of about what size bikini she can wear this summer. Keeping healthy, realistic expectations is important because, otherwise, teens can become obsessed with their looks, and take on unhealthy and extreme methods to lose weight. They might indulge in over-exercising, taking diet pills, or even developing an eating disorder.