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It
seems like every time you turn around, someone is talking about dieting. During
gym class your best friend always complains about her "big" hips and
how she's going on a diet to get rid of them. This focus on weight and dieting
may leave you wondering whether you need to go on a diet yourself.
The
truth is that not all teens who diet actually need to lose weight. Because
teens are still growing, dieting can sometimes be harmful to their developing
bodies. Other teens may mistakenly think that in order to be in top form for
their chosen sport, they need to be as thin as possible.
The
best person to see when you have a question about dieting is your doctor. Your
doctor can help you determine what is a healthy weight for your body size and
shape. He or she can help you decide whether you need to be on a diet at all.
There
are healthy and unhealthy ways to lose weight, and in the long run you are
better off taking the healthy route. If you and your doctor do decide that
going on a diet is the right thing for you, he or she can help you come up with
a plan.
Even
without seeing your doctor, you can make smart food choices that will keep you
healthy. Instead of chewing (嚼) down on chips when you get home from
school, try a piece of fruit or some vegetables.
Simple low—fat substitutions (替代品) can make a huge difference in your
calorie intake as well. For example, skim or low—fat milk or water are better
drink choices when you're thirsty—soda and fruit drinks are loaded with
calories and sugar and short on nutrition (营养).
Another thing to keep in mind is that exercise
can help you feel and look better. Regular exercise tones your muscles while
you burn calories and fat, and it makes you look slimmer. Remember that toning
up takes time. Running the mile in gym class once a year won't make a
difference in overall weight loss, so start slowly and work up to it.
Whether you go on a diet or not, exercising
and healthy eating are excellent ways to keep your body in great shape Cutting
down on the time you spend in front of the computer or TV can help you boost
your activity level and may even help you snack less. And research shows that
people who exercise regularly are more likely to maintain their new weight if
they've lost weight. So, get moving and keep your health on track!