As the temperature increases, and students flock to Florida’s coast to relish the favorable weather, teens start to look at the mirror with mangled expressions. Most Americans once again yearn to obtain a perfect “beach-body,” after months of ignoring their New Years’ resolution to get fit.
Food chains and restaurants increasingly promote their low-calorie, healthier meal options, as the country revitalizes its health craze from the beginning of the year. Starbucks announced on Mar. 31 new, Greek yogurt-based food items, as a part of its partnership with Dannon. In select Starbucks locations, customers can order a customizable strawberry, mango, and veggie-based “sweet greens” Evolution Fresh smoothie. One of the ingredients customers can add to their smoothies is kale, a leafy green which is renowned for its multiple nutritional benefits and its trendiness to be consumed in juice.
Teens often resort to unhealthy and dangerous methods to either lose weight or tone their physiques, especially as summer draws closer. Such behaviors can result in the development of eating disorders and greatly affect one’s condition in the long-term. Here are a few safe, fun, and easy tips you can follow to work towards your ideal, swimsuit-ready body.
Rise, shine, and eat
Try your hardest to not skip breakfast. Wake up earlier if needed, or perform your morning routine quicker. According to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, “Studies show that breakfast can be important in maintaining a healthy body weight.” Those who skip breakfast are more likely to consume and crave high fat and sugar foods later in the day, contributing to an unhealthy diet. Omitting from eating breakfast is a habit teens often develop due to its inconvenience; while rushing to arrive to school on time, students have limited time to gather or cook wholesome items. In order to avoid opting to purchase candy at school or binge later in the day, wake up earlier, plan your breakfast ahead, and purchase more portable food items (apples, bananas, yogurt, protein bars, etc.).
Two snacks a day wards hunger away
The significance of eating five small meals daily on weight loss is greatly debated amongst members of the health world. While five meals sounds like an excess amount of food, such a diet consists of three, appropriately-portioned meals with two calorically-reasonable snacks. Teens generally make the grave mistake of fasting to drop their number on the scale quickly, straying away from snacking. Whether or not following this meal plan helps individuals drop the pounds, adequate snacking satisfies hunger and prevents overeating, while ensuring that individuals do not consume less than their daily recommended amount of calories.
Play hard, work less
Students are quite aware of the importance of physical activity in a wholesome lifestyle, maintaining a healthy body mass index, and developing a strong form. However, teens often fall victim to vigorous exercise routines that promise noticeable results within a brief time span. While they may remain motivated and faithful to such regimes for some weeks or months, most individuals grow tired of performing intense (yet boring) activities, and eventually stop exercising altogether. In order to avoid the cycle of fluctuating active and sedentary habits, find a moderately-intense activity that changes your workout regime into one that transports you back to the cherished days on the playground. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children and teenagers six years old to 17 should perform at least one hour daily of physical activity, including aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and bone-strengthening activities in their weekly regimes. Such activities could include mountain biking, surfing, playing soccer, rock climbing, or simply long-distance walking.
Pump weights with peers
Instead of meeting with friends at fast-food joints or a movie theater, gorging on candy as you remain seated for over an hour, schedule “work-out dates.” Visit your local gym with a pal and spot each other, or check your local civic center or YMCA for available fitness classes, such as Zumba and yoga. It is more beneficial to your health and fitness goals to exercise with company and then eat at a restaurant, ensuring that you receive your daily recommended amount of physical activity.
Following these basic tips can help you obtain the motivation needed to build your ideal physique and self-confidence. The roads to achieving a balanced, active lifestyle are always in your lane— now move full speed ahead.