More and more teens are presenting as overweight and obese. It is becoming an epidemic that is putting a strain on the medical resources and the life expectancy of many young people. All of which, given the state of the average teenager’s diet, is no surprise. Therefore, finding a free weight loss for teens program has become a regular quest.
With this in mind, it is important that any program of weight loss that is going to work has to be one that does not exploit or offer unrealistic goals. Instead a weight loss program that takes into account the growing and changing body and mind of the teenager should always the preferred option.
Without a doubt, any free weight loss for teens program should start with the basics. A close look should be taken at what the teenager is eating on a regular basis and also, how much physical activity the teenager is taking.
As already stated, some teenagers do not have the healthiest of diets. Many of them exist on nothing more than junk food. If this is the case, then the first thing that has to go is that junk food diet. The more junk food that can be cut out of the diet, the more weight is likely to be lost.
Instead a diet made up of fresh fruits and vegetables is what is needed. This might not sound as interesting as a diet of pizza, fries and hamburgers, but the more fruit and vegetables that are eaten, the better the all round weight management and health. Does that mean no more pizza ever? Well no, it just means that pizza, and other considered junk foods, should be eaten sparingly and not eaten as the norm.
The next step towards finding a free weight loss for teens program, is to make sure that there is plenty of regular exercise being taken. That means getting the heart and lungs pumping and working at least three or four times per week for at least twenty minutes at a time. It doesn’t mean that any teen who is not gym orientated or who does not enjoy jogging has to start doing those particular activities. No, any sport or activity that is not preferred, should not be undertaken. Going for a vigorous walk a few times a week is considered adequate exercise. Whatever the exercise taken, it should be done so willingly, only then is it more likely to be continued.
Above all, a free weight loss for teens plan should be realistic and not set the teenager up for failure. Repeated failures are demoralizing and will only result in weight gain. Small, steady progress is always the way to go to see long lasting weight loss.
Posted in Recipe on May 21, 2012
Ingredients
6 egg whites
1 whole omega-3 egg
28 ounces (1 slice) feta cheese
1/2 cup mushrooms
1/4 onion
1 handful of spinach
4 oz smoked ham
Now to make it!
Preparation
Chop mushrooms and onions and saut in a lightly coated pan of olive oil. After 2-3 minutes add the whisked eggs into the pan and break up
the feta cheese and add the ham to the top on top. Cook on low while covered for 3-5 minutes. Remove from pan and enjoy!
Posted in Recipe on May 20, 2012
Ingredients
2 tablespoons fat-free cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon fat-free mayonnaise
1 tablespoon brown spicy mustard
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 cup chopped bottled roasted red bell peppers
2 tablespoon chopped green onions (including tops)
8 – 1 ounce slices of pumpernickel bread
3/4 pound thinly sliced smoked turkey breast
1/4 cup alfalfa sprouts
4 leaves of green leaf lettuce
Directions
Combine first four ingredients and stir until smooth. Stir in red bell peppers and green onions. Spread 1 slide of each bread slice evenly with cream cheese mixture. Top 4 bread slices evenly with turkey, sprouts and lettuce. Top with remaining bread slices. Cut in half and serve with pickle spears.
Posted in Video on May 19, 2012
Video: Using a stability ball increases the difficulty of the shoulder press as you have to keep your core tight in order to keep your balance on the ball.
Posted in Recipe on May 18, 2012
Ingredients
1 – 8 ounce package fat-free cream cheese (at room temperature)
1 – 2 1/2 ounce jar dried beef (finely chopped)
3 finely chopped green onion tops
2 tablespoons pickle relish
Directions
Cream soft cream cheese and 1/2 of the chopped dried beef. Add the green onion and pickle relish. Mix well. Form into ball and chill mixture in a covered container for 1 to 2 hours. Remove from the container and roll in the rest of the dried beef. Let stand at room temp for 30 minutes before serving with crackers.
The 3 Day Cardiac Diet was supposedly developed by the Birmingham Hospital in Alabama, though the hospital does not admit its role in the origin of the plan. The 3 day cardiac diet has also been attributed to the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio and the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.
The story is that the 3 Day Cardiac Diet was designed for patients who needed to lose up to 10 lbs weight quickly so they could have surgery.
The 3 Day Cardiac Diet has set menu plans for breakfast, lunch and dinner for three days. Each day is limited to about 800 calories. While some claim that there is a special “chemical reaction,” much of the weight loss benefit is likely obtained by the restricted calorie intake. Also, there are very few carbs on the diet which leads to water loss.
You should drink six to eight cups of water a day on the program to speed digestion.
Tuna is the featured protein on the 3 day Cardiac diet. 1/2 cup of tuna is prescribed on the first two days, and on the final day, you will increase that to 1 cup. Variety and nutrition is provided with small to medium sized portions of cheese, eggs, crackers, vegetables, grapefruit, banana, and toast. Coffee, tea, or diet soda can accompany meals but water should be the beverage of choice outside of mealtime.
Some nutritionists express concerns about the restricted levels of calories and lack of a full range of nutritional options. However, considering that the diet lasts only 3 days, these are not dispositive.
People following the 3 day cardiac diet will likely feel hunger pangs and have lower energy levels. This is especially true by the third day. But, keep in mind that the diet is of limited duration and you should be fine unless you have endurance based physical feats to perform.
Your body may start to recognize that only a limited food supply is available when you eat only 3 small meals a day. It may begin to compensate by reducing metabolism and energy levels to conserve fat reserves. This can actually make it harder to lose weight and place the body under additional stress.
The 3 Day Cardiac diet is not suitable for long term dieting. After 3 days you should start on a diet that offers more variety and more calories.
The 3 Day Cardiac Diet provides restricted calories and nutrients for its intended duration. Your body can handle a fast for 3 days, so it certainly can handle a restricted calorie diet. However, the diet is not a long term solution to your weight management concerns.
If you need to lose a few pounds in a short period of time, the 3 day cardiac diet can help to get you there. If you are trying to lose those “last 5 pounds” and nothing else seems to be working, try the 3 day cardiac diet. But follow it up with a sensible eating plan.
Posted in Video on May 16, 2012
Video: A trainer shows how to do an advanced hamstring curl with a stability ball. The hamstring curl is a great exercise for the hamstrings, calves and glutes.
Posted in Recipe on May 15, 2012
Ingredients
1 ripe medium banana, sliced
1/3 cup frozen orange juice concentrate
1 – 8 ounce can crushed pineapple in juice, chilled
1 1/2 cups vanilla low fat frozen yogurt
1 cup milk (skim,fat free or 1
Directions
In a blender, combine banana, undrained pineapple and orange juice concentrate. Cover and blend until almost smooth. Add low fat frozen yogurt and milk. Cover and blend until smooth. Pour into chilled glasses. Garnish with a sprinkle of toasted coconut if desired.
Posted in Recipe on May 14, 2012
Ingredients
2/3 cup chicken broth
1 tsp cornstarch
1 tbsp minced garlic, divided
3 tsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1/4-1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
1 pound raw shrimp (21-25 per pound), peeled and deveined
1/4 tsp salt, divided
4 cups broccoli florets
2/3 cup water
2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
1 tsp lemon juice
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Lemon wedges
Directions
Combine chicken broth, cornstarch and half the garlic in a bowl; whisk until smooth.
Heat 1-1/2 tsp oil in a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat.
Add remaining garlic and crushed red pepper. Cook while stirring for about 30 seconds. Add shrimp. Saut until shrimp are pink, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
Add remaining oil to the pan. Add broccoli and a pinch of salt. Cook for 1 minute.
Add water, cover and cook until broccoli is crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Transfer to the bowl with shrimp.
Add chicken stock mixture to the pan and cook, stirring, over medium-high heat, until thickened, 3-4 minutes.
Stir in basil and season with lemon juice and pepper. Add shrimp and broccoli; heat through. Serve with lemon wedges.
(Makes 4 Servings)
Posted in Recipe on May 13, 2012
Ingredients
3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons sherry
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves – cut into 2 inch pieces
1 – 20 ounce can pineapple chunks, drained
Directions
In a shallow glass dish, mix the soy sauce, brown sugar, sherry, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic powder. Stir the chicken pieces and pineapple into the marinade until well coated. Cover, and marinate in the refrigerator at least 2 hours.
Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
Lightly oil the grill grate. Thread chicken and pineapple alternately onto skewers. Grill 15 to 20 minutes, turning occasionally, or until chicken juices run clear.
