Weight Loss for Teens
The other day, I was talking to my nephew who just turned 13. He mentioned that he really, really, really needed a Wii for Christmas because, otherwise, what was the point of living? Um. Yeah. I remember almost dying when my mom wouldn't let me get my ears pierced...oddly enough, I'm still alive and I now have more than pierced ears to live for. I'm hoping Erick will find something else to live for as well, since I'm not getting him a Wii. Sorry, buddy.
He also asked me some questions about lifting weights because he was worried that he wasn't as muscular as some of the other boys. That made me sad because he's only 13 - he should be having fun with his imaginary Wii and not worrying about muscles yet. On the other hand, I was kind of excited that he was asking questions about exercise. Now was my chance to start putting ideas in his head - ideas about being healthy and fit and living longer and...oops, I think he just passed out from boredom.
Anyway, it's tough being a teen and feeling like you're too tall or short, too fat or thin...too something. If you read through these comments, you'll see what I mean. If you're a teen who needs some help navigating the world of weight loss, check out this article about teen weight loss.
Comments
so you know what it feel like to be a teenager..of course you do……..but do you know how it feels to be a teenager in this century, if what you say is true and you are kinda old, then you wouldn’t know a damn about bein a teenager in our time, so do you really think your fit to give us advice about whether were fat or not and if we are how to tell us how ot lose it. Maybe were proud of who and what we are and your bringing us down with all of this…
a teenager myself,
caroline
Wow, poor Caroline has got some real anger.
being a teen right now in this time is really hard and most teen girls don’t have self confidence which is really sad and magizines showing stick thin girls doesn’t make it any easier so you giving out advice can both be counted as good and bad.
Caroline must weigh 350lbs.
y dont u post some pics of you when you were a teenager, to prove to everyone that u were an overweight teen. dont mean to sound rude but i no that a lot of people would want the proof.
i definatly agree with jj and john. so tru ’bout caroline. sry caroline but you do kinda sound bitchy
i definatly agree with jj and john. sry caroline but you do sound pretty bitchy and u no its tru. so…
ya, caroline, r u like havin a bitch fit??
being a teenager myself, an over weight teeneager, its really not that easy. I have tried constantly 2 lose weight, and it is realey hard because we have to deal with these disgusting school lunches of pizza and french fries, and having friends who weigh like 100 lbs being able to eat what ever they want. Oh yeah and caraline, you really sound bitchy. lay off the parents. their just trying 2 help u.
Ok…1st off Caroline, I kno wat it’s like to be angry at the whole world and not feel very comfortable or confident with urself and u probably think it’s ok, but it isn’t. Dnt mean to sound like a mom, but i’m pretty good at giving advice and it really does seem like u have some extreme self-esteem issues that need to be taken care of before u blow sumthn up. 2ndly, I kno wat it’s like to be an overweight teen. i’ve tried too many times to lose weight and it’s really hard (especiallly for us women), so wat exactly,Ms. Waehner, do u have to say about that…
yea…caroline can u say BF~bitch fit
Today’s problems and problems from the past are very similar though. Back in the fifties, all the girls wanted skinny waists. I meand REALLY skinny waists.
http://www.buttons-n-bows.biz/images/50’s%20reproduction%20vintage%20clothing%20fashions.jpg
But thank God today that we know problems of being ‘too skinny’: anorexia, bulimia, and so on. Although there is obesity, I think that most girls who are self conscience believe that a little flab is overweight, which it really isn’t. I mean, I’m not the skinniest person in the world, but I know I’m not fat. If we all just ignored all the negative judgements that models, paparazzi, celebs, even strangers put on us, we would all feel better about ourselves.
…was that a little long?
I don’t understand why you would get mad at someone for trying to help you with your weight loss situation. If you are as heavy as people think you are, obviously you need some kind of help.I was also overweight in high school but you just gotta give it you best shot. Bottom line being its fine to be mad about being overweight, but it is rediculous to get mad at someone for trying to help.
I totally agree with Polly…..
and I think people should see thier doctor if they think they’re fat because a your doctor can really tell you if your fat or not and can give you a diet plan for you to work on.
~Dena~
ps caroline, i know people are beating up on you, but seriously, im sorry for whatever your going thru but wow….
does that mean that all you peolpe who reply are fat? Just asking. i know i am not.
Well, Caroline, I have to say that if you are proud of who you are that is a wonderful thing. But there are a lot of young people who are not and the fact of the matter is that helpful advise for those who do want help with their weight is not directed only at you. If you are truly comfortable in your body then that is just wonderful. But don’t make other’s feel like it is beneath them to seek advise on weight loss. And pure and simple, there are people who are too thin, which is how our society views attractiveness, unfortunately. But there are also people who are too heavy–whether that comes from a teen in the 90’s or a teen in 2007–it’s all about health anyway. Those who eat pizza and french fries and weigh 100 pounds are not healthy inside, and the point really is not die of a heart attack before you’re 21.
First off, I’d like to state that there are a good number of guys who like BBW (Big Beautiful Women). But if your weight truly bothers you that badly then work long and hard on a diet and fitness plan that works for you. i think that the most important think for people to remember about weightloss is that it does NOT happen in just a week.
OMG does everyone have to say something about that caroline girl i mean BIG DEAL!
I think it is great that Paige is addressing weight issues with teens. This is usually when self condemnaton starts. (see comments) Weight loss is a life change not just a fad diet. Its about nutrition. Mental and physical. Everyone has the right to remember what its like to be a teenager. Times have changed. (Issues, not so much.) So has nutrition. take the advice being offered to you and the recources we NOW have that make weight loss more knoweledgable.
I think that is good because I am only 10 years old.!! Not even a teen yet.
as long as you eat healthy (not the kind of healthy that says fries are a veggie)and exercise there is nothing to worry about. Everything will fall into place.
I think Caroline needs to relax. No one is forcing you to do anything. If you’re proud of how you look, then that’s great. And just because Paige Waehner is older, doesn’t mean she can’t give out advice. Who do you think writes all those movies, books, etc. that you can relate to? Adults do! It’s shocking, I know. And I also think you should learn how to use spell check and you need to learn that you + are = you’re, not your. It’s a common mistake made by ignorant teenagers.
And just so you know, I’m 24 and I did grow up in this century.
well im not fat but im thick thick not thick as in curves but thick as in i got lot of meat no mi bones personally i dont have a problem cause i work wat im working wit so peace.
why is every1 saying they hate fat people? some peeps say i’m fat, dude i’m 97 pounds!!!! how is that frikin fat???
it’s a free country..if some of you hate fat ppl–hate them. I understand how it feels to feel fat all the time.It started in elementary school and at home–the whole complex of being fat. I developed an eating disorder by the age of 10!!! by 17 I almost killed myself.constantly worrying about ur weight will only make u more unhappy. quit worrying about wtf everyone else likes and focus on you. I ‘ve put on weight but i’m at a healthy weight. u don’t have to be stick thin to be pretty. work with what u have.and if anybody wants to hate on how u look–ur just giving someone else a break for a change.
Ok, people. Just because you don’t agree with what someone says, doesn’t mean you need to be rude to them. People share different opinions, and react differently in different circumstances. So these mean comments about Caroline would be better kept to yourselves.
Always treat others as you would like to be treated. Whether you have to squash your pride or not, no one deserves to be treated with harsh words.
A Teenager like you,
Samantha (15)
sorry to say this donot tease any one as they are fat
OMG Jackie, i am not fat!!! I don’t think a fat person would feel comfortable enuf to talk about this kinda thing.
I am 5 foot 4 and I way 115.
I do not think that is fat..
If the news, and models, paparazi’s and everyone else who thought skinny was great maybe people can live in peace and feel comfortable with their weight. I am overweight, and trying to loose, going to the gym, but i still eat what i want. Its slower to loose but i have 25 lbs, I hate all this hipe about being skinny, i know one day us med/big women will be in the spot light. Love yourself thats all that matters
That’s the problem with the world today. And we wonder why people that have major problems go around shooting everyone. It’s because when someone has a problem all we know how to do is cut them up to tiny little pieces. Bash whatever self-esteem they have! Instead of trying to help them or even just trying to be their friend! A simple smile is a start….
um… It thought this was a page to talk about being a teen. whether it was now or then, so whats everybody overwhelmed about 1 girl for? I chose to get a bike to help me exercise and I agree with Paige completely. But other people do have a point that today and years ago are totally different. Fast food, junk food, t.v., busy schedules( I have 3 different jobs) and peer pressure to be skinny! Beautiful used to be when you seen a woman with a curvy figure, nowadays you have a little curve in your body and everyone thinks your fat! MARLYN MONROE for example, one the most beautiful women of history and wore either a size 11 or 13. Who would call her fat? I definately wouldn’t shes gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
well I think these comments prove just how important the issue of body image is for teenagers. as if life isn’t hard enough, we have to worry about how we look and if it’s “too fat”. who says there’s a certain way to look? forget those damn magazines. no one looks like that anymore!
as someone who survived being a teengager and constantly had to maintain the ‘perfect’ body image as a gymnast, i’d say try not to worry about what other people think (i know, it’s hard.). think about what your ideal weight should be (for yourself) and try your best to achieve that weight – in a healthy way. try and stay away from fast food, and do some exercising whenever you can. you don’t need to turn your life upside down, just start with a couple pounds. like Lei said, weight loss doesn’t happen in a week. good luck!
Im a fat teenager so Im getting a real kick out of these responses.
Caroline has some real problems…I mean, all Paige was talking about was how people now and people back then all felt the need to lose weight. I think Caroline should learn how to read…she doesn’t know what she’s talking about.
And I would also like to add, why are you even reading this article? If it pisses you off that bad, get a life and go read something else.
It’s not about the #’s its about how you feel about your image. Personally, I weigh 150 pounds, and I’m not fat, at all. its because its muscle baby!
the bottom line is be happy with who you are,your that way for a reason
a teenager myself(14 tomarrow)
Wow kids. Most of you need to learn how to type the correct way. I realize computer jargon is popular for IM but seriously, when you decide to join an intelligent conversation, try to sound intelligent.
Sorry. Pet peeve.
Other than that, I was one of those typical teenagers, obsessing and freaking out about my weight until about a year ago. I’m 19 now and doing fine since I’m on my own and live down the street from the best gym in the world, but I went through a time when I refused to believe that a woman of 5′4″ couldn’t be a super model. I made up for my height with weight. I ate nothing but crackers and only five of those a day, and whenever I got hungry I’d drink herbal tea. If i gained five ounces I would starve for a day to make up for it.
Lol but I soon realized that you can’t live without food and now I’m going to culinary school to learn how to make every meal an experience. I weigh 130, all muscle, no boobs, and I’m the most content I’ve ever been. Good luck kids. Don’t worry. This too shall pass.
I am not skinny myself. But i used to, i used to be very fit and I loved it so much. I was so confident about my weight I began to eat eat and eat , I really ate a lot. Now I am not slim anymore, I am serious. I am an overweighted person. When I realized my slenderness was lost, I felt really bad. Everybody asked me why had I gained so much weight, it was a hard time. However, my friends accepted me the way I was, and I even had a boyfriend (which I had never had before). So, if u think all ppl see in you is your body, u r mistaken, because what’s really worth in a person is what they have inside, their feelings and virtues.And, if people only look the external beauty, then they r not worth anything. Beauty is lost woth years, even miss world will stop being pretty someday.
Sincerely, Kate
ppl hav different definitions of fat. dang, magazines and stuff think 100 lbs is fat. im 5′5 and im 110 but i dont look exactly “fat”. sure theres a little bit of extra weight but im tryin 2 burn that off.
y would u care if ur just a little round. theres no one u hav to impress unless u hav a bf/gf. still then, they luv u the way u r and wouldnt want u to change.
o well, i no wat u guys r feelin – at skool, im tied wit the “top hottest girls” and theres a lot of stress about how u look. so in the summer, swimmin laps, 100 ab and 100 arm exercises every day helps. eat much as u want as long as u swear to urself to burn it off that day. thats wat i do at least and its workin so far.
btw, im 12 with a boyfriend that works out everyday. the ppl im tied with weigh less than me and i dont want to stop bein in the top so theres a lot of stress. jus watch wat u eat and those exercises do a lot in the long run.
I completely agree with Kate. My first three years of high school I was always either in cheerleading or in weight lifting class. I never considered myself fat because I was always working out and felt good about myself. Since the second semester of senior year, cheerleading has been over and my mother wouldnt let me join lifting class, so I’m feeling a little over weight but I’m not beating myself up over it. I accept myself the way I am and of course whenever I get the chance I go out and do a little exercise. The point is looks arent everything.
Caroline wat’s your problem don’t try to dish it out on Paige.If you are fat deal with it.You need to get some manners.
Me myself, I feel as though I have the power to lose weight just no type of incouragement! It gets hard sometimes when you think you have moral support from friends and you don’t! I am trying to lose weight this summer though….hope that I can!
i think we ALL have to get a life.
& get off these stupid websites.
im 5′7 & 116 perfectly happy.
sorry if your fat, but that sucks ass.
— life is guna be hella hard for you.
goodluckkk!
there are converging S*** storms of why people are so fat. Cities are so sprawled out these days with no mass transit, so naturally excercise is being taken out of our lives (also, parents nowadays really freak and have to drive their kids everywhere, even if their school is only a couple blocks away). People are eating WAY worse then they traditionally have, especially sugar-wise, and finally, we have a mindset that strives for instant gratification.
my football coach says people normally sacrifice what they want in the long run for what they want in the moment. cliche? sure it is, but its absolutely true. If you want to lose weight you have to be in it for the long haul, but when you start seeing results, not just in your appearence or on the weight scale but in your mood, energy and just overall health it’s more then worth it.
start with babysteps, go for evening walks. bump those up to mile long jogs, and eventually keep tacking on miles until you find an amount that helps you lose and later keep off weight. make little lifestyle changes, like walking or biking to anything within a couple miles of your house (not to mention it saves gas!) eliminate, or severely limit soda from your diet, it has absolutely no value at all. Try to avoid fast food and eat your veggies! momma knows best about that.
At first it may be hard to give up some things (sweets) but it actually helps you feel much better in the long haul.
i hope this helps. Also, join a sport. its fun, you meet people and compete, and it helps keep you in shape.
well unlike ALL of you guys i actually agree with caroline i think she proves a very very good point i think there should be a wesite that actually just tells you how to work out and how to loose weight geez everyone needs to take a serious chill pill
another fat teen 13 years 5′1″ and 114lbs (pretty fat i no dont rub it in)
u seem to have a real anger srry but its tru
Woah!
Arent we all fat
But yeah sometimes when we search for info on how or what to do to loose weight you end up having to pay!
Wow you guys are going to burn calories just bitching aren’t you!
Here’s how to lose weight. seriously.
number one, fad diets MIGHT work but only temporarily, they will slow down your metabolism and you will wind up gaining more weight than you lost. we don’t want that, now do we?
number two, crunches and sit ups are great, but not when you need to lose 10+ pounds. you need to do cardio. run. jog. just walking is better than sitting around. cardio will burn fat all over your body, so you don’t have to worry about finding a workout that targets your back fat and your inner thighs and stuff. try working out just 30 minutes each day. that’s not too hard is it?
number three, don’t starve yourselves. don’t make yourselves miserable. eat the foods you love. but just don’t eat 3 helpings of them. eat in moderation.
and try new foods. expand your horizons. you’ll be amazed at how many healthy foods there are out there that are actually good!
so there you go. stop bitching at this caroline person, and lose weight, and be happy :]
oh hey
I’ve been overweight since i was like 8. now i’m 17. It is so impossible to even look in the mirror anymore or want to leave the house. I damn near commited suicide a year ago. Why am i telling you all this, because I pushed through it… and I’m waking up every morning trying keep pushing through. I’ve only lost 10 lbs, but just in that I’m confident enough to keep going. It’s probably one of the hardest things you’ll ever do, but I know it’s going to be worth it.
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/index.htm
Every one check out this website to see your BMI
well u guys u tell me i cant really decied am i fat or not but i stll think i am fat thats why i found myself looking at this page
13 and 65kg tell me but dont rud it in
*Somebody* who left a comment on July 4 left behind some very valuable advice. That is definitely the trick. Losing weight is very difficult. Food is too yummy =(
wow caroline your a tuff cookie call me
Dave x
Hey everyone my name is Ashley and I am a little over weight and I am trying on every way to loose it and I think by talking to you guys that it will rally help me so Everyone keep on trying I know you can do it But i wish they never made junk food and sodas and all that crap well chat with ya soon again. Bye
Ok..so i admit that i read all the comments here on this page. Some were knowledgeable and some were just fluff. Seriously, I am 20 and have never been happy with my body. I look at pictures from when I was a freshman in high school and covet how small i was. But then I think about the fact that I didn’t like my body then. I thought I was fat. And today I am probably almost similar size to that, just taller, and I still hate my body and think that i should be way smaller…but it also doesn’t help that the average person you see in the magazine is 5′10 and 115 lbs…im 5′10 and weigh 160…i feel huge..yet one of my friends is like, “you have no fat on you..so what are you obsessing about?”
the simple equation is burn more calories than you intake..its always about moderation and smart choices..You can eat 2000 calories..but if most of those cals are from fat and not protein or complex carbs you screw yourself up. I suggest veganism. I am a vegan and it helps with the weight loss…because you can’t eat practically anything with fat…
ahah.. way to go Somebody.. yeah.. but typing is really good for losing weight lol.. no seriously.. right on..
It’s true!
nowadays even if you just have a pudge belly people laugh and call you names like fatty etc…back in your days people were probably nicer and didn’t care if you were fat or thin but im gonna read your article anyway coz i like reading your articles
All of you are pitiful. Go back to your English books and learn how to write.
It doesn’t matter if your fat or not. Everyone still has insecurities. =[
All I gotta say is get over it and try and move on with your life. I'm fat myself and I don't care. Its not going to stop me. I like it =]
but whatever.
not like i’m going to see you people anyway
Wow. Where to start…
Well, first of all, I agree with everyone bashing Caroline. Nothing must else to say about that. And I also agree with Louie about the whole ‘typing correctly’ thing. I’m only 13 and I can type this way!! (Heehee, 102 words-per-minute last time I was tested!) But anyway. And this is to…. well, let me make a list: Dena, anonymous (of 39), Jennifer, and anyone I might have missed. LISTEN TO YOURSELVES, I mean, I just checked today and I’m 5″3, weighing on 122 pounds. And I’m sure there is going to be someone out there thinking, “5″3 and weighing 122lbs.?! You’ve gotta’ be kidding me! That’s not fat!” but as Vicky said, everyone has their insecurities. Eat a little bit of this and a little bit of that, don’t obsess over counting calories, plainly DON’T count carbs, excersize (but don’t over-do it), and always remember this: YOUR WEIGHT COULD ALWAYS BE WORSE.
Listen to the words of wisdom from The All-Knowing 13-Year-Old!!
^ – ^
well if u were so fat when u were young then how did u losse all of ur weight because it is hard for me 2 losse weight and i`d like 2 no how 2 losse weight fast so that i can be just like my friends skinny and bein able 2 eat anything u wanted 2 eat and be able 2 losse it 2 ??????? —i`d like an awnser plezzzzz!!!!!
It’s not really about being fat or skinny; it’s about being healthy and confident. Eating good foods just make you feel better–you have more energy. Natural sugars in fruits taste good and make you feel more energized than processed sugars. Plus, did you know exercise releases the same endorphines in your brain as anti-depressants? Playing video games are fun every once in awhile (I admit I’ve been known to be addicted to a few), but to feel good about yourself, exercise is the best thing.
Exercising and eating better foods (that actually taste great, too!) make people feel better, and feeling better leads to more confidence, which leads to a better body image, no matter what body type you have! See how that works? I struggled with body image a lot in high school, but once I got to college, I realized just how easy it is to make yourself feel better with a couple of lifestyle changes. Oh, and drinking lots of water will help, too! It cleans your system and clears your skin.
i have another issue:
i am an average 5 foot teenager who is 13 and weighs like 95 pounds but has a big stomach..
how do i get rid of it?! i was thinking bout exercising and eating less but how the hell do you eat less?! probably like breakfast, lunch, dinner, den like a snack in between. cuz i dont eat big portions. n i’m not an exercise person so idk how this is gonna wrk..
it looks like alot ofyou can’t solve your own problems besides when you die your spirit is goin to leave your body and besides those that say crap about your weight usually wish they were like you.
why the hell is everyone gaining up on Caroline?? shes JUST speakin her mind. wats so wrong with that?? everyone should just read the damn artical and leave a comment on the artical and MOVE ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!