Are there any step by step diets for an obese 14-year-old girl to lose weight by June 2009?

Answer 1

Try one of the HMR programs, such as Hackley (link below), or find out if there is an HMR clinic in your area. Some (such as CFHWM, link below) offer distance participation. You have to attend the classes and purchase their products, but if you do what they tell you, it works.

Well, if you CAN see a doctor, that can be very helpful. If not a doctor, then a counselor specializing in weight issues can also be helpful. But otherwise:

1. Start by increasing your physical exertion each day. Yes, you need to do some exercise at least 5 days a week (an hour-long walk or bike-ride, swimming, yoga, etc., and ideally a mix of all these things), but you can also increase physical exertion by:

- NEVER taking the elevator, even if you have to walk five flights of stairs

- always parking FARTHEST from the entrance to a store so that you have to walk that extra distance

- use your bike to get around instead of relying on rides

2. Then reduce the amount of calories you eat. Here are some easy ways to start:

- Do not eat anything that contains the word "hydrogenated" in the ingredients

- Do not eat anything that contains the term "corn syrup" in the ingredients

- Avoid eating anything that contains more than 25% of your daily value of "saturated fat" (look on the label for saturated fat and make sure it is 25% or less)

- On food labels, note how many SERVINGS are in each package. Did you know that one can of Coca-Cola is usually considered 2 servings by Coca-Cola? That means if you drink the whole can, you have to DOUBLE the number of calories listed on the can. Don't be fooled by serving size tricks like this.

3. Limit snacking and eating by becoming busier. Join a couple of clubs or extracurricular activities, do some volunteering, etc. When you're busy, you meet lots of new people, which is fun, AND you won't have time to snack.

4. Eat a nice healthy big breakfast. People who eat breakfast eat less during the whole day.

5. Eat tons fruits and vegetables. Here's the thing: a lot of fruits and vegetables (together they are called "produce") taste bland or green or yucky because stores stock them for looks, not for flavor. So, try to pick sweet, ripe fruit and fresh, luscious vegetables so that eating them is way more enjoyable. Produce bought at farmer's markets tastes way better than produce bought at most conventional grocery stores.

6. Drink tons of water. Avoid juices, except at breakfast, soda pop, and coffee drinks entirely. This will save you about $10 a day too, incidentally.

7. Invest in comfortable shoes that all the walking you're doing won't hurt your feet.

8. Most people who have had weight issues (like me, in fact) have underlying emotional issues. It is actually really helpful to combine weight loss with visits to a counselor or therapist in order to understand and overcome your eating habits. That's how Oprah did it, in fact, and if there's any way you can do this you'll see how helpful it is, too.

9. It's summer: go hiking, biking, or walking in beautiful areas near your house. Enjoy the weather.

10. You have got to break out in a killer sweat at least 5 days a week. Don't be afraid of sweat: seek it out actively.

11. If you screw up, don't feel bad or guilty. Just go back on track the next day. Losing weight is one day at a time.