You may not know this, but Michelle Obama has taken the plight to help teenagers lose weight and get healthy as her personal agenda. This year the CDC reported that obesity among young adolescents is higher than it has ever been. One group in particular, teenage girls are often hit the hardest by problems with weight and suffer from embarrassment, bullying, and are prone to eating disorders. Not only does being an overweight teen cause the onset of life threatening illnesses, it can be debilitating at a time in a kids life when they should be thriving the most! One of the biggest mistakes that parents and other adults make when it comes to teen girls weight loss is push the issue, making the child feel even worse. Luckily, thanks to First Lady Obama and lots of other positive influences, there are easy ways to encourage your girls weight loss without being hurtful.
First, realize that in order for teen girls weight loss to occur, they must have a basic understanding of nutrition and healthy eating habits. A survey in a United States high school indicated that 89% of teenagers (both boys and girls) do not understand how to balance calories or what they should or should not be eating. One of the reasons is that the diet industry as flooded the food aisles and convenience stores with processed and prepared foods claiming to be ‘calorie free,’ ‘fat free,’ carb free,’ or ‘low fat.’ These labels on products like energy drinks and snack foods often target teen girls and can make weight loss for girls confusing at best.
Parents also have part of the blame. Obviously, parents are the ones filling the fridge at home with foods that are unhealthy. Today, fewer families sit down to a family meal which often has teen girls fending for themselves when it comes to dinners. Rather than push your teen to work out and eat right, be a stellar example. You might even want to take one of the many free weight loss for girls or nutrition classes that are given at local hospitals. Then, make the teen girls weight loss program a family affair. Include your daughter in on the grocery shopping, meal preparation and list making. Clean out and revamp the fridge and cupboards so that your home is ‘girls weight loss friendly!’ This way you are setting both an example and leading the way.
You can also look at some of the government sponsored programs under the “Let’s Move” campaign. Exercise is instrumental in healthy living and in teen girls weight loss. Shape Up America, SmallStep Adult & teen as well as The Presidents Challenge offer great ideas to facilitate girls weight loss. Make sure that you ensure your teen daughter has the encouragement to participate. Other ideas are to join a gym, take a fitness class, or set aside time each day to walk together. You will find that when your teen daughter is having fun and learning the proper ways to care for her body, her weight loss will come natural. Plus, it’s a great way to show your daughter that you support her!
If your daughter is extremely overweight, you may want to enroll her weight loss camps for girls. These camps can be powerful catapults to teaching her how to eat right for her body, exercise safely, and learn the powers of positive thinking and self-esteem. Many offer extended care and support groups that are directed specifically for teen girls weight loss. This way, they will have a clear understanding of the right way to not just lose weight, but eat and stay healthy.
If your daughter is overweight, chances are you become frustrated when you see her making poor choices. Rather than chastise or point your finger – it is your job to empower her with encouragement. These difficult years, full of emotional and physical changes can be trying in the best of circumstances. If you stand behind your teen girls weight loss and make eating healthy a new way to live, you can help her achieve success. Even if you choose to send her to weight loss camps for girls; make sure that you prepare your home and offer plenty of encouragement when she comes home to ensure her success! Weight loss is easier for anyone who has an army behind them to lead the way. For girls weight loss, you can help them get much further if you support and encourage them rather than react in frustration to their problem.
