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Platform: Teen Health Issues - Get up and MOVE! |
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Teen
obesity is on the raise in this county, American’s on average are heavier
than our counterparts from other counties around the world. Studies
find that children and teens ages 6-19, about 15 percent (almost 9 million)
are overweight according to a study done between 1999 and 2000. In addition,
the data shows that another 15 percent of kids and teens ages 6 to 19 are
considered at risk of becoming overweight. What
is Obesity? It can be defined as an excessive accumulation of body fat, which
results in individuals being at least 20% heavier than their ideal body
weight. "Overweight" is defined as any weight in excess of the ideal
range. Obesity is a common eating disorder associated with adolescence. Although
kids have fewer weight-related health problems than adults, overweight kids
are at high risk of becoming overweight teens and adults. Overweight people of
all ages are at risk for a number of health problems including heart disease,
diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke and some forms of cancer. I
was like all of you teens out there, we are growing up in a sedentary world
with video and computer games and hours of IM’ing our friends. It’s not
our fault we are unmotivated to go outside and get some fresh air, these big
companies created these gadgets to be so much fun and addicting at the same
time. But
in early 2004 I decided I needed to get out of the house and rejoin the world
around me, I have always loved sports but I have been more of a Winter
outdoors type of a person with snowboarding as my first love.
If you have not snowboarded before you will need to know it is
something you really need to be in good physical health to do for any extended
period of time. I was in ok health, but I was also preparing to compete at the
New York Miss Teen USA Pageant that Fall of 2004. I
had my parents sign me up at the GYM in the village where I live. It was hard
to get motivated to go work out everyday but I did not want to be another teen
wondering how I put on 20 or 30 extra pounds before I graduated high school,
in addition to the fact that I had to fit into a swimsuit and walk a runway
for Teen USA, I am also a professional model so I had other things motivating
me too. It
is not enough to just exercise I had to change all of my eating habits as
well. I gave up all beverages except water on October 21, 2004 I remember that
date because this is the date that I made a conscious decision to change my
life, to get healthy not just physically fit. Soda and all sugared drinks taste great but they are what kill a diet. One of the hardest things you will do beside getting yourself motivated is to get out and move, is to give up the things like sugared drinks and any type of snack food. As teenagers we are hungry 24 hours a day and what is tastier than an ice cold cola and pizza or chips while playing video games? I gave up everything at once, I did not slowly whine myself off of all the unhealthy foods around me, I just went for it. By no means was it easy, my parents can tell you that but I find the best way for me to go about this was all or nothing. I will give you an idea of what my diet and exercise routine is like, but I do not suggest anyone else follow my diet as it was created just for me by my personal trainer, who is just happens to be Mark Holms - the 2005 Iron Man Classic Overall Champion and Heavyweight Champion and his wife Miss Shannon who is also a my personal trainer for over 2 years. I
recommend that you consult your family doctor if you have not been physically
active in sometime and are more than 20 pound over what the recommend weight
for someone your age. The
mere whisper of the word “exercise” brings stress to some. For those of
you who fit into this category – you’re in luck! Exercise
does not have to be bring stress and dread, in fact there are many forms or
exercise that can be fun as well burn off those unwanted calories. Consider
dancing, roller blading, swimming or even playing basketball as a form of
exercise, and these are activities you can do with others. Exercise
can become boring and tedious to those of us not use to doing it, but being
physically active and pay off for a lifetime. The best way to stay inspired is
to choose activities that are fun for you. Personally I like to run for a
minimum of an hour each day. Running can be boring indoors, but I watch TV or
just listen to my iPod. If
your just starting out you may want to find a friend or two to work out with
you. This way you can have your own support system -- whenever you don't feel
like working out you will have someone there to keep you going. Put
on some upbeat music that will keep your adrenaline pumping. Boredom sometimes
is enough to make people quit. Set
goals. When you have an aim, you are more likely to stick to your routine
rather than doing things without any type of order.
Be realistic, maybe start slow and add to your goals. It’s much
easier to keep on track when you have reached a set goal and can see the
changes within yourself. Getting
healthy is more than losing weight, eating right and exercising can bring a
sense of well being in addition to the amount of energy you will amaze you. I
am interested in starting a Teen Group just for Teens, to meet in our
community. In addition to forming a website with planned activities such as
walks at Beaver Lake or walking, skating or biking Onondaga Parkway. Information will be posted soon so check back often |
