Work towards good fitness, not figures

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Health and fitness are undoubtedly among the biggest concerns most teens face today. In times of size zero fetishes and extreme body envy, many teens fail to miss the point: That having a good body counts for nothing if it’s not accompanied by good health. In her new book Figure It Out: The Ultimate Guide To Teen Fitness, Namita Jain answers these questions and gives some suggestions on how teens can look fit and fab.

Why is teen fitness such a different area to handle, as compared to regular adult fitness? What are some of the areas that are exclusive to teens in this regard?
Teens are growing; they have certain ideas thoughts and wishes unique to their age and phase. These need to be addressed. Six pack abs, a toned body, need for supplements, anorexia, bulimia concerns, fad diets, junk food are all issues which need to be tackled.

Do you think there is an added pressure on teens to look good, especially with icons like Rihanna ruling the roost? And how important is it for teens to develop a healthy mindset towards their bodies and the issue of weight loss?
Looking good is a priority with many teens, often they go to extreme measures to look good, including such drastic steps like diets and over-exercise. Some others continue to be sedentary and live on fast foods. It is essential to strike a right balance between fitness and eating habits, without going into extremes. It’s all about developing the right mindset.

What are some of the teen-lifestyle related issues that make it so easy to put on weight and so difficult to lose it?
Teens love eating out and canteen meals form a part of their lifestyle. Often, choices of food made are fattening and therefore they gain weight easily. They need to create sensible eating and exercise habits to lose weight and keep fit. The books addresses the many different teen mindsets and gives solutions for mental barriers they face.

How can teens be comfortable with their bodies even after going through puberty?
By staying fit physically, eating right and adopting a positive attitude, teens are bound to be comfortable with this phase of their life.