Target Your Teen's Interests to Increase Activity Levels

We all know how it feels to be stuck on the couch - you know you should go for a walk, hit the gym, or take a bike ride, but you just can't seem to get motivated. Trying to motivate your teen to be active can be even harder.

They key to increasing your teen's activity level is to focus on what interests him. Physical activity doesn't have to mean an aerobics class (a possibly terrifying prospect for a self-conscious teen); formal exercise is available in many shapes, and opportunities for informal activity are all around. The important thing is to help your teen find an activity that motivates him to get off the couch and get active. While there are lots of possibilities, here are two simple suggestions to get you started.

One form of exercise that has become extremely popular and is especially suited to those carrying extra weight is yoga. Yoga is easily adjusted to any level of physical ability, and sustained practice builds coordination, balance, strength, flexibility, and stamina. Yoga also promotes increased confidence, calm, and poise, which can help decrease overeating due to anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem.

Research has shown that a little yoga can go a long way. A small study conducted in 2006 found that teens who practiced yoga (breathing exercises and basic poses) regularly over a period of three months lost an average of six pounds and 6% of their BMI (body mass index), as compared to no change in the control group, whose members did not practice yoga but otherwise participated in the same activities. A summer camp or teen weight loss program that offers yoga may give your teen a new way to grow and thrive.

Another form of activity that is easy, inexpensive, and highly effective is simple walking. Other activities of interest may be easily combined with walking such as listening to music or audio books, talking with a friend, photography, observing nature, or spending some quality time with the family dog. According to the Mayo Clinic, walking is one of the body's most natural forms of exercise and has many health benefits. Walking is low-impact, doesn't require practice, and can improve overall quality of life. Walking can help to reduce the risk of heart attack, manage blood pressure, reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes, manage weight, decrease stress and anxiety, and build and maintain muscle.