She Did It!: Brooke
What was the number one change you made in your life?
What was the biggest challenge?
How did you deal with it?
What’s your favorite recipe?
What do you wish other girls knew about healthy eating?
How can other girls make changes?
If there is one thing you’d like to change, what would it be?
How could parents or other adults help teens like you get healthier?
How do you keep yourself motivated to stay healthy?
How did you celebrate your success?
What can you do now that you couldn’t do when you were overweight?
What would you say to a girl who doesn’t think she can do it?
We want to hear your story! If you and your family have made healthy changes and would like to be featured on Fitsmi and Fitsmi for Moms, please email ashley@fitsmi.com.
By Fitsmi July 26
Brooke is 14 and lives in Plainview, NY. She lost 6 pounds by making a few healthy changes, like controlling the size of her meals and snacks. We got the scoop on how she did it. Check out her healthy tips in the Q&A.
Taking only a portion out of the bag of snacks.
Wanting more, but not taking it.
I would walk out of the kitchen after I had eaten my portion.
Chicken with broccoli and my mom’s lasagna.
You can eat anything, as long as it is a [reasonable] portion.
By eating the right size and not eating when you are bored. Also, not eating in front of the TV helps.
I’d change candy and make it healthy!
Exercise together, like just taking a walk. And cook meals together.
I like how my clothing fits better now.
I got my nails done.
More flips on the trampoline!
Never give up, even if you or someone else thinks you can’t do it. And remember that healthy eating is for your health, not just your body size.
How To Find Your First Job
Some people may put off getting a job until they absolutely have to, but I wanted to start working when I was 14 years old! I love shopping with my friends, but without a job I didn’t have a lot of money to spend. Unfortunately, most places will only hire you if you’re at least 16. Once you hit that milestone, there are a bunch of places willing to hire you: restaurants, clothing stores, pet shops… you name it!
But it’s not impossible to get a job if you’re under 16, and I’m proof.
I’m 15 now and I got hired. It wasn’t easy, though. In the beginning, it seemed like every place I applied either wasn’t hiring or only hired older people. It was frustrating. Then my dad gave me some really good advice. He said, “Mac, you’re looking in all the wrong places. You are applying to big corporations and franchises, and they won’t hire you! You need to apply to locally owned businesses. You may have more luck there.”
I was skeptical at first because I was convinced that my age was the problem, not the places I applied. I figured I had nothing to lose, so I went to a small supermarket owned by a local family and handed in an application. They told me they weren’t hiring at the moment, but they would keep my application on file just in case. I was crushed and ready to give up.
About a month ago, I got a call from the local supermarket saying that they would like to meet with me again and possibly hire me! I was thrilled, but I couldn’t accept the job because I was in the process of moving away to another state. But just the fact that I got a call boosted my confidence so much! Now I’m motivated to start applying for jobs in my new hometown.
If you are looking for a job, hang in there! What may seem impossible can happen. If you are under the age of 16, I definitely recommend applying to small businesses and local places instead of chains.
How do you feel about getting a job?
Photo by: swanksalot
By Mackenzie July 26
Mackenzie is Fitsmi’s teen blogger! Check out what she has to say:
Taking on new responsibilities can kinda suck, but it’s all a part of growing up. And you know what? Responsibility can actually lead to some pretty cool things, especially when it comes to getting your first job.
Get Fit (Without Breaking The Bank)
1. Skip the gym, hit the pavement.
If you feel you must join a gym, watch for free membership trial periods offered by local gyms and specials on memberships. Also, check out your local YMCA and YWCA.
2. Join an online fitness support group [Like Fitsmi!]
3. Buy used fitness equipment.
4. Buy in season.
5. Use your library.
Now, what are you waiting for? Get moving!
Photo from Google Images
By Fitsmi July 13
Fitsmi scours the internet for you, and when we find something really good we want to let you know about it! Here’s an article from Girl Get Strong we think you’ll enjoy.
Dieting is big business! Watch only a few moments of late night television and you’ll be barraged with ads for fat burning creams, diet pills and the latest craze in exercise gimmickry. Don’t be fooled! You can successfully slim down this summer without spending money on needless items with our 5 savings tips for weight loss.
Gym memberships are expensive and they can be almost impossible to cancel without having to pay a large early cancellation fee. Skip the gym, throw open the front door and get outside! During the warmth of summer, your exercise activities are nearly endless. You can walk, run, bike, play badminton, throw a Frisbee around, swim, play croquet, garden, mow the lawn, or take a hike. All of these activities are free! Playing tag with your kids in the backyard burns up to 200 calories an hour [And if you're not a mom, other people's kids work just as well! Substitute your little brother/sister or the kids you babysit.] The only thing you have to lose is a little of you. Get moving!
Research has shown than some people are more inclined to lose weight using the buddy system. Online fitness support groups will help you log daily food intake, make exercise goals and connect with other people who are also trying to shed pounds.
Exercise machines don’t have to be expensive. Shop Goodwill, yard sales, Craigslist and Freecycle for used weight benches and free weights, bicycles, trampolines, stair climbers, and more. Even better, swap equipment with friends and family members! Do you have an old bike that someone in your family has outgrown? Trade it for an exercise bike.
Buy vegetables and other produce items only when in season. Produce will be cheaper, fresher and more nutrient rich. Visit your local Farmer’s Market for weekly sales, join a food co-op or meet a local farmer who will deliver items right to your door. When you must buy out of season, always purchase frozen fruits and vegetables instead of canned goods. Frozen vegetables retain their nutrients, have no added salt or preservatives and can be kept for long periods of time in the freezer without spoiling.
Take a trip to your local library for exercises DVDs and videos, healthy cookbooks and weight loss magazines and books. If you find a DVD or cookbook you like, you can always buy it later. Sample for free!
What’s In Your Freezer?
Luckily, you can be proactive and change this unhealthy-sight by always keeping healthy foods in full view. Here are some tricks and tips to keep your sight healthy in the most sought out location of your kitchen during the sweltering summer months–the freezer!
What’s your favorite frozen summer snack?
Photo by: deovolenti
By Valentina Palladino July 8
An icy treat can really hit the spot after a hard workout on a hot day. But opening your freezer to find it stocked with ice cream, sugary popcicles, and TV dinners can be a bummer if you’re trying to get healthy.
The Big Picture: My Aha Moment
As I grew up, my features remained almost the same, but not in that adorable little kid sort of way (At least, that’s how I felt). My curly brown hair was frustrating, and my bright smile didn’t seem so bright as I became more aware of the chubbiness that spread from my pinchable cheeks to the rest of my body.
I had always been a little bigger than all of my friends. I remember a classmate in elementary school asking me, “Why are you so big?” I didn’t think much of it at the time, but it must have made an impact on me because I still remember that comment nearly 13 years later.
There is a picture of me at 16 years old. It was taken at a party the night of my junior prom. I’m wearing a royal blue dress with pearls strung around my neck and those same little gold studs in my ears. But what stood out the most when I looked at that photo was my body. I wasn’t just “chubby” anymore, I was heavy–heavier than the other four girls with me in the picture. It may have been prom night, but I didn’t feel beautiful.
My mom taught me exercises I could do in my room, which made me more comfortable than working out in front of others. Getting motivated to exercise each day wasn’t easy, but the hardest part was giving up junk food cold turkey. All those buttery, sugary, fried indulgences went bye-bye in a blink of an eye. Sure, I “fell off the wagon” once or twice (Three words: The Cheesecake Factory). And, you know what? That’s okay. If I didn’t indulge, my junk food withdrawal might have driven me crazy! But thanks to the support I got from my family and friends, a little bit of determination, and a lot of patience, I always got back on track.
There’s a picture of me at 18 years old. It was taken at a party the night of my senior prom. This time, I’m sporting a purple dress with matching bracelets and my trusty little gold earrings. There was one big difference, though–my body. In the year between my junior and senior proms, I had lost about 40 pounds. That night, I was radiating from the inside out because I was finally happy in my skin.
Since I started my journey, I’ve lost about 60 pounds. I’m not a size two (and never will be) but I’m fine with that. Size doesn’t determine beauty; confidence and learning to love your body does.
Have you ever had an “a-ha” moment that led to healthy changes?
By Valentina Palladino July 7
There is a picture of me at two years old. I was an adorable baby, I must say–curly brown hair with big eyes to match, long eyelashes, little gold earrings shimmering in my lobes, a bright smile, and chubby cheeks which seemed to beg, “Pinch me!” I was a little princess, and to this day, I look back at that picture and consider it one of the best pictures ever taken of me.
I guess you could say that was my “ah-ha” moment. Seeing those photos made it hit me–I wasn’t happy in my own skin. So I decided to get up and do something about my weight.
Gotta Have Your Pops? Make ‘Em Healthy!
But you don’t have to give up on these frozen snacks. Instead, why not make ‘em from scratch with a healthy spin? Just take some of your favorite fruit chopped into small pieces and blend it with 100% fruit juice. Pour the mixture into ice pop trays or Dixie cups and freeze until they’re solid. Try some of these summery combos:
Want to spice up your ice even more? Be adventurous and try fun ice pop molds to create interesting shapes for your frozen snacks! Amazon has sets of molds in spiral, rocket and ring pop shapes–all for under $15!
What’s your favorite summer recipe?
Photo by: Charlotte Morrall
By Valentina Palladino July 5
Ever taken a look at the nutrition label on your favorite frozen snack? Lots of them are loaded with sugar, which can lead to cavities and make it harder to lose weight. Plus, most pops lack nutritional value.
She Did It! Diandra Douglis
How much weight have you lost, and when did you do it?
What inspired you to lose weight?
What was the number one change you made in your life?
What was the biggest challenge?
What do you wish other girls knew about healthy eating?
How can other girls make changes?
How do you stay motivated?
How did you celebrate your success?
What can you do now that you couldn’t do when you were overweight?
What would you say to a girl who doesn’t think she can do it?
Note: Although cutting back on grains helped Diandra lose weight, it may not work for everyone, especially if you get a lot of physical activity. Grains are carbs (so are vegetables and fruit), and they’re necessary to provide the energy your body needs throughout the day, especially when you work out! Fitsmi recommends teenage girls eat 5-6 ounces of grains a day (one ounce is a slice of bread or 1 cup of cereal). Depending on your weight and activity level, you may need to eat more or less. To learn more about grains and which ones are healthy, click here.
If you want to know more about the healthy changes Diandra’s family made, check out the Q&A with Diandra’s mom, Julie, on Fitsmi for Moms.
We want to hear your story! If you and your family have made healthy changes and would like to be featured on Fitsmi and Fitsmi for Moms, please email ashley@fitsmi.com.
By Abby Ellin July 5
Diandra Douglis lives outside of Houston, Texas. A former tennis player, Diandra gained the weight after getting injured. “I was used to eating a certain amount a day, but was no longer burning those calories,” she says. She lost the weight through a simple diet in which she ate only one grain a day. (If she had rice with lunch, she wouldn’t have a roll with dinner). “I now maintain that weight because I have healed and am playing tennis again.” she says.
I lost about ten pounds two years ago, over a period of about ten weeks.
I was used to being fit and in shape because of my tennis training. After my injury, I gained a lot of weight, and both my self-esteem and my abilities took a hit. I could no longer run as far or as fast as I used to, and I just felt less energetic. I wanted to lose the weight to feel better.
I cut way back on grains. I love grains, but I agreed to only have one major grain a day while trying to lose the weight.
Not eating chocolate. Perhaps one of my favorite foods in the world, and I had to pretty much give it up to lose that weight. But I did.
Food is a habit. We get into the habit of eating chips, chocolate, and other junk foods, but once you’re off of it for a little while, it feels natural to not indulge. You stop craving it.
Choose one thing–whether it is soda, or chocolate, or bread, or any other food that they eat frequently that could contribute to their weight gain–and eat it less. If you have three cans of soda every day, limit them to one can a day. If you eat a candy bar every day, limit it to once or twice a week.
I feel better when I’m at a comfortable weight. Whenever I start to gain weight and feel sluggish, I always remind myself that I could feel better.
By shopping! Shopping is awesome by itself, but when you’re shopping because you’ve lost weight it’s just the cherry on top of the sundae.
I can run faster around the tennis courts and reach shots that I previously couldn’t get. And I don’t feel winded when climbing the stairs.
She should think about all the reasons that make her want to lose weight — whether it’s feeling better, looking better, or just trying to fit into that old pair of jeans — and then focus on that as her goal.
We’re Excited For: Summer Camp
I just recently went to a camp here in Oregon with my Girl Scout troop, and it was the highlight of my summer (so far!). Nothing can compare to breathing in that fresh air, singing songs around a roaring campfire, and–best of all–making new friends. The camp I went to, Camp Collins, had some great activities. There was rock climbing on a 60 foot rock wall. That was a scary experience! There were also mid-day dance lessons. Nothing is funnier than watching teenagers trying to learn the electric slide! You can also do archery, horse back riding, and lots of hiking. Let’s just say there’s never a dull moment.
After a long day of activities and a delicious dinner in the mess hall, we’d gather around a big bonfire and sing camp songs. We would share stories and laugh, building friendships. And sometimes, if we weren’t too tired, we would invite campers from other cabins over to our cabin for card game tournaments.
The only bad part about camp is when it’s time to go home. Saying goodbye is always hard to do, but when you keep in touch throughout the year and reunite the following summer, it is the best feeling in the world.
Have you ever been to camp? What was your favorite part?
Photo by: Mesaj
By Mackenzie June 29
Mackenzie is Fitsmi’s new teen blogger! Check out what she has to say:
When you think of your favorite summer activity, what do you think about? Swimming? Sports? Hanging with friends? For me, it’s going to camp. I cannot think of a better way to spend my summer!
10 Ways To Get Moving In Your Backyard
You don’t have to go far to find a place to work out. In fact, we have a ton of ways you can get fit without leaving your backyard. Check ‘em out:
1. Kick off your shoes for a little yoga on the lawn. If you’re feeling zen, ditch your yoga mat and feel the earth between your toes. Don’t forget to wipe your feet before going back inside!
2. Create an obstacle course with stuff you have around the house or in the garage. Kick a soccer ball through a maze of tiki torches, skip around the kiddie pool five times, climb the fence and jog around the house, then start all over. Set a goal for how many times you want to complete the course, then challenge yourself to do it. p.s. this is more fun with a friend or a sibling. Or do it with your babysitting charges!
3. Jump rope. It’ll tone your calves, thighs, back, abs, shoulders, arms, and butt (plus strengthen your bones).
4. Get your friends together for classic outdoor games like frisbee, dodgeball, and tag. When the sun goes down, break out the flashlights for a game of flashlight tag.
5. Mow the lawn. Not only will you impress your family, you’ll also burn about 400 calories per hour.
6. Climb a tree (safely). Who knows, you might find your new favorite hangout in the branches!
7. Strengthen your core by hula hooping.
8. Take advantage of the fun stuff in your backyard like a pool, trampoline or basketball net. Even your little sister’s monkey bars could be great for pull ups.
9. Crank out a few rounds of jumping jacks to get your heart rate up.
10. Plant a vegetable garden or herb garden. Caring for your plants will give you a reason to get outside and move, plus you can use your homegrown, healthy ingredients in a new recipe!
Have you ever gone outside for a workout? What did you do?
Photo by: kthypryn
By Fitsmi June 11
Ah, springtime. The sun is shining, birds are chirping, and flowers are abloom. What better time is there to go outdoors and get moving?
What Were They Thinking?
Happily, Urban Outfitters has pulled the tee from their website, but according to the Huffington Post, it’s still available in some stores.
What’s the craziest message you’ve seen on a T-shirt?
By Fitsmi June 9
Scaling down your portions to prevent overeating can be a healthy way to get fit, but Urban Outfitters’ “Eat Less” T-shirt rubs us the wrong way. Maybe it’s because the model wearing the shirt looks like she could benefit from a few extra calories. But would the shirt be less cringe-worthy on a plus size model? Ugh.
Image from Urban Outfitters.
