Teen wants to change her eating habits
August 2, 2012 2:06PM
Updated: September 4, 2012 6:03AM
Dr. Wallace: I really need your help, so please answer my letter. My entire family is overweight because we all overeat. I’m a female teen and 30 pounds overweight. I have come to the conclusion that it’s time for me to change my eating and lifestyle patterns immediately. Don’t advise me to see a nutritionist. I don’t have any money and what money my mother and her sister make goes for food. I promise to start becoming the “new me” the day I see your response in the paper.
Nameless, Gary
Nameless: The first thing you need to remember is that it took time for you to gain this extra weight, and you should take the time to get rid of it gradually. The healthiest and best approach is to safely lose about 1 pound of excess weight a week, through a combination of a varied, well-balanced diet and moderate exercise. It took 3,500 extra calories to gain 1 pound of body weight. Do a little research to find out your ideal weight and the number of calories needed daily to maintain that weight, and then consume 500 fewer calories per day.
Write to Dr. Wallace
at rwallace@galesburg.net
