Just want to lose some weight

Question
I am 16 years old, 5'4 and about 170 lbs. Most of my friends would never believe this, because I look about 140 ("Not fat, just curvy," they say) but I'm becoming very dissatisfied with my health and my body. If I were 35 and had the same shape, fine, but I'm young. I want my body to look it. I'm not sure what to do about it, though. It's not like I eat horribly; I eat fruit, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats like any other health-conscious person. I just have a big appetite, and I do eat pizza, school lunches and occasionally chips or salty snacks. But so do my cousins my age, and they look normal. I don't exercise at all, is the difference. But I used to strenuously 5 days a week and I was still 140 as a 13-year-old at my height! I'm just wondering what I need to do to get rid of this weight. Should I cut out all soda and juice? I do drink a lot of empty calories and diet drinks. Should I stop eating anything whatsoever that's bad for me? Should I cut down portions or carbs or salt? Should I start walking all the time like I used to or do I need to step it up? I really don't know, and it would be great if you could help. Thank you.

Answer
Dear Alex,  Portions do count. If you eat a really big meal at one sitting, the body cannot burn off all that food, the excess will be stored as fat. Fruit juices and soda are empty calories, so do cut them out of the diet. Stick with your healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, chicken, fish, whole grain breads and healthy fats. You can still eat school lunches and pizza, but just watch the amount you are eating. Lastly, you need to exercise everyday! Everybody needs to exercise everyday, so get out and walk, run, ride a bike, walk a dog, anything! Hope that helps, Laura Kraemer,Slimkids.com

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