Online Tools to Help Teens Get Healthy and Fit
Parents Can Help Teenagers Keep Their Resolutions the Right Way
Jan 4, 2009
For adults, losing weight is on the "to do" list; most adults have gone on diets, lost weight, gained weight, and can recognize a practical diet from a promise that is simply to good to be true. Teenagers do not have the life experience to separate a sensible plan from a sales pitch and are more likely to make questionable diet choices. Parents can guide teens to use online tools that encourage healthy living by keeping track of diet, fitness, and weight.
Using Fitday for Weight Management
One of the most long-standing free weight management websites is Fitday. Users create a login and password, and the website helps keep track of:
- foods eaten (including nutrition information)
- activities (including calories burned)
- weight and weight goals
- a log to monitor body measurements.
- a journal
- an interactive picture that reflects given moods
- a calendar to help keep track of entries
- different reports that show change
Most of the foods and activities are pre-entered, so when teens enter in a two mile run, the calories burned are already available. Parents should be aware that a Fitday journal can be made public at the user's click of a mouse button, so teenagers utilizing this option must be sure they do not reveal personal information.
Using Livestrong for Healthy Living Choices
Lance Armstrong's free Livestrong program is one of the most comprehensive health sites available. It is free, and offers advice, tools, and forums. After creating a user name and password, users set goals and create an online health and fitness home. The site offers:
- calorie and nutrition tracking
- activity and fitness journals
- articles relevant to people seeking a healthy lifestyle
- groups to join who share a common goal.
Because the site is so strongly connected to Lance Armstrong, it reflects his vibrancy and commitment to health. One of the most popular forum groups is "Just for Teens", a group who is seeking "teenagers who need to lose weight...for girls that want to look good on the beach."
Using Weight Watchers with Teenagers
Teenagers who are serious about losing weight and willing to use the Weight Watchers point system can find online support and resources with Weightwatchers.com. .
Weightwatchers.com offers personalized accountability and many tools for members, including:
- points calculators
- progress trackers
- food, weight, and fitness logs
- daily suggestions
- forums
The Weight Watchers program is not free, and although the website has some free sections, the online tools are only available to paying members
Parents must help teens make healthy weight-loss and fitness choices to help establish life-long habits. Using online tracking fits the teen lifestyle, and Fitday, Livestrong, and Weight Watchers all blend the concepts of healthy eating, fitness, and attitude to encourage healthy choices as a way of life.
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