How to Get Fit As a Teenager

Teen and preteen years are the years where you will do most of your growing, so in order to grow into a healthy adult, you need the right nutrition and the right gear. You've always heard, "Eat your veggies!" but that old saying is boring. Spice up your diet and activity by using this article!

Tell your parents that you want to get fit and healthy, and ask if they'll help. You can do it alone, but any extra support from friends or relatives is useful. Keep smiling and stay positive! You can even try to get fit with your friends or family. This can make it easier and definitely more fun!

1. Start an exercise routine. You'll want to start out small and work your way up. Start going to a gym and, if you're really determined, get a Personal Trainer. They have you do a physical test and a written survey and match what you want to gain to your body type. This may cost a bit though.
   • If you're too young to work out in a gym, there's still plenty you can do! Get involved in a sport; soccer, tennis, football, basketball, and roller blading are all fun ways to get and keep yourself fit! Or, start doing push-ups. Do as many as you can every day and keep a log book of records and goals. Try sit-ups, pull-ups, and jumping jacks, too. Go jogging, sprinting, and running as much as possible. If you are getting better at running, maybe you could join the cross country team.
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   Don't stop once you reach your goal. You have to keep working to stay fit, so form healthy habits that will last you a lifetime!
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   Get moving. Walk, dance, be active. Thirty minutes, ( three 10 minutes sessions are fine) most days of the week and you will reduce stress, gain energy, and reduce risk for diseases.
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   If it’s painful, stop. Trust your instincts, they are usually right. If you feel uncharacteristic pain during a move, stop. I’m not talking about the “burn” of exercise, I’m talking a pain that is unusual for what you are doing. Notify your doctor of the problem.
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   Have fun. If you work out to feel energized or happier you are more likely to stick with it. Those who only do it to look good are less inclined to keep it up.
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   Get support. Find a friend who has shed pounds and work out with them. You will be likelier to stick with the regime and will have some great support.
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   Tone up. For some great sexy muscles, do two weight sessions a week, using weights heavy enough so the last two reps feel tough to eke out.
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   Don’t go crazy. Take two days off a week to recover from your efforts. Let your muscles repair themselves between strength sessions. (Do cardio on these days if you want.)
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   Ease in. Always start your workout with 5-10 minutes of easy light cardio. Warming up helps prevent injury and can help to maximize the calories burnt during your entire workout.
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    Do the talk test. If you are working out and you can chat with your workout buddy, but you are too winded to sing, you are working at a perfect moderate pace.
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    Cool down. If you take the time to taper off your workout with a cooling down stage you will feel less taxed when you are done.