Advice for Kids

Before you start on any weight loss programme you need to ask yourself the following questions:

• Why do you want to lose weight?
• Are you ready to change?
• What support do you need or want to achieve your goals?

If you have ever tried to lose weight before you will understand that it is difficult to know where you should start. We offer the following tips to get you started.

Top Tips for Getting Started

• Talk to your family about why you want to lose weight (i.e. to look & feel better)
• Talk to your family and friends about what support you will want from them (i.e. replace crisps in lunchbox with low fat crackers and fruit or having a kick about in the park)
• Choose a weight loss programme that is designed for kids and that focuses on fun.
• Don't just go on a diet, you might start off great but there is a strong chance you will regain the weight and maybe even some more. 
• Make yourself a plan
• Set realistic and achievable goals
• Given your parents some non-food related rewards to help you stay on track
• Monitor your success (i.e. changes in your dress or trouser size, increases in your fitness sessions, feeling better about yourself, decreases in tv/computer use, increases in healthier food you are eating)
• See if there is any help available at school.
• Be patient, getting fit and losing weight takes time but it is worth the effort!