Obesity causes:
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Depression
Being overweight among teens is caused by eating too much and not getting enough exercise, but can be influenced by feeling low or depressed or under pressure. It works differently with all people – with me, when I’m stressed and got a lot on my head, I start to put on weight - maybe it’s just because of the burden. If you are feeling uptight about things or as if you really need someone to talk to, don’t forget you have people around school who can help - your teachers, your form tutor, Head of Year, the nurse, the mentors in the Student Support Centre; they'll all be more than happy to help you out.
Okay, I feel all right in myself – I just want to lose weight!
To lose some of those extra pounds and become fitter, if you eat just a normal well-balanced diet, cutting out fatty snacks then slowly your appetite will get used to your new routine.
This will be helped by the fat in your adipose tissue (the fat which is stored beneath your skin) being used up slowly after all the bulky fat has been used up. Every time you feel lazy and inactive in your P.E lesson, think about it and just give it a go. You wanna lose weight and fight that laziness out of yourself, so get up and join in. Each week you’ll be burning up those extra calories and losing unwanted fat.
Interesting Fact: Did you know that your fat tissue REALLY can be burned away……… since it actually needs to be burnt off?
Well if you didn’t, it’s true! It is the way we are designed by nature! All it is, is that you just need to watch what you’re eating, since as when you eat, eat and eat, the fat burning hormone is not regularly released after each meal because your body is not used to taking in a lot of food all at once.
Tips on how to lose those extra pounds and get fit:
When your mum asks you to take something upstairs, WAIT, Don’t refuse, STOP AND THINK, cos you’ll be burning calories just running up the stairs and down again. In this way you’ll not only be a gift to yourself but you’ll also be an angel to your mum, since you’ll be helping both of you. A great advantage is that steps can be found anywhere and everywhere-in the shops, at school and at home.
Walking and running upwards and downwards develops strength to the bottom part of the body (hip, buttocks and shins). Tackle more stairs everyday. Have a rest if you need one!
If you find this easy, increase speed, quantity of repetitions or use burdening (for example, bottles of water or your drink bottles to boost you up and give you the energy).
It’s fun and worth a go, so why not give it a try?
Get active!
Instead of eating Coco Pops or Weetos for your breakfast cereal, why not eat porridge or Weetabix? These choices are much healthier and will get you up for the day. They’re quick to warm up in the microwave, but don’t be tempted to add the extra sugar!
Eating healthily will help you concentrate, work harder and earn you top marks in your exams since you will be taking in many important vitamins such as calcium and iron which your body needs everyday.
Instead of taking junk food to school (those dreaded crisps and chocolates) or choosing jacket potatoes overflowing with cheese, coleslaw and beans for your school meals, why not make a healthy choice and grab a salad, followed by a banana or an apple? It’ll make you feel happier and brighter as you’ll be gaining all the essential vitamins and minerals you need to help you concentrate and work harder.
What do you do at break time or lunch time? Do you sit in the main hall after eating? Why not go for a brisk walk around the whole school building or up on the all- weather pitch? Persuade your friends to have a race. See who’s the fastest and the fittest from amongst you all – you’ll be having a laugh as well as burning up those ‘extra calories’. Why not go for the 5 a day fruit and veg. i.e. bananas, grapes and apples or carrots, tomatoes and lettuce?
Do you walk, bus or train it to school? Why wait for your parents to give you a lift? How about walking it to school? You’ll be amazed and surprised seeing the amount of people who walk to school rather than being driven. Join them and at the same time you’ll be getting fresh air as well as exercise - it’ll do wonders for your brain as you’re giving yourself the fresh air you need which will help keep you fit and healthy.
Dance those pounds away!
Dancing raises your pulse rate, accelerates your metabolism and releases those essential endorphins which will make you feel good about yourself. When you’re in your room or when you’ve invited your friends for a sleepover, how do you spend your time? We all love and enjoy dancing as an excuse to burn up those unwanted pounds. Switch on the TV-what about watching MTV? Practice the latest moves; see who’s the most energetic from amongst you all. That’s it! You’ve just burnt another 300 calories!
Ok, so before you’re off, don’t forget to:
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Keep up with eating your 5 a days;
- Exercise as it’ll help you concentrate throughout school work and homework later;
Enjoy yourself and be active!
