When such a high percentage of the people are overweight it seems fitting that there is significant number of the population who are extremely image conscious. Perhaps this is in part to those health magazine covers with men and women who have desirable, health and fit looking bodies. This of course has had a knock on effect with more fitness clubs and health spas being built.

Increasingly we are being targeted at home as well with fitness and health product advertising and sponsorship found on TV. But exercise is not the only way to build that body beautiful because it also entails a certain responsibility about the foods we choose to eat as being healthy and fit requires one to follow a regular diet fitness regime.

What makes this confusing for the amateur is that one side says that you are better of eating foods high in fat when you exercise and the others state you need to eat foods that are a good source of carbohydrates. What doesn’t help the average person is what diet-fitness regime to follow as both seem to make sense; there is the one that says eat foods with high carbohydrate levels and the other which says you need to eat foods with a high fat content which appears to contradict everything we are told about dieting.

The first thing you need to know would be the fundamental differences between these two diet approaches because as the name implies, high-carb diets concentrates on taking in carbohydrate-rich foods while high fat diets endorses fat-rich foods. The high-carb enthusiasts say that we need these sorts of foods because the glucose (or energy) is stored in the muscles and liver in the form of glycogen which is great for short burst of energy or any type of anaerobic exercise.

The other camp believe that because fat is a higher source of calories an it metabolizes in a fraction of the time it takes carbohydrates, then these are the foodstuffs we should consume before exercise. So according to the experts, it doesn’t matter which you choose, as long as you don’t follow both at the same time, unless weight gain is what you want.

The purpose of diet fitness is to change your diet and lose excess body weight in the form of fat, by regular physical activity. To achieve this, research has shown that you need to think about how you are currently living your life which includes the type of food you like to eat and if there are any medical considerations.

It is not as if you can get away from it as the advertising for diet and fitness equipment is also on the television as well. Although it still means that that essential nutrients and proteins for example that keep the body and mind healthy should be part of that diet; amounts of which are broadly publicized by health organizations.

Those followers of eating foods with high carbohydrate content believe these are best owing to the amount of energy that can be stored in the muscles ready for instant release.

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Did you give your 15 year old daughter a hug and a kiss last night before she went to bed?  Did you feel warm and fuzzy when you left her room because you had a glimpse of the sweet little girl that you so seldom see anymore? 

Were you surprised when you got up this morning to find that your 15 year old daughter had vanished during the night and someone you have come to know as Dr. Jekyll appeared in her place? 

Research indicates that teenagers require between 9 and 10 hours sleep per night.  The average teenager is getting approximately 6 hours sleep per night and is most likely completely sleep-deprived.

Due to the very fast-paced society that we live in many parents are also depriving themselves of sleep.  It is difficult to expect your child to shut down the computer or turn off the tv if it is your family’s lifestyle to stay up late participating in stimulating activities.  Add homework, sports, extra curricular activities, poor food choices and the addition of computers, cell phones, text messaging and online interactive forums, such as Facebook and video games, and it’s no wonder our teenagers are rarely taking the time to take care of their own bodies.

Consider some ways you can participate in helping your teen get more sleep:

–         Do you have a spot in your home, other than a bedroom, that your teen can do homework, work on the computer and visit with friends?  Do your best to help your teenager maintain her room as a peaceful sanctuary.

–         Encourage healthy snacks before bed.  It is best to avoid salty foods before bed because they can stimulate the adrenal gland.  Going to bed hungry can also contribute to sleep problems.  Bedtime snacks of crackers and cheese, half of a meat, poultry or tuna fish sandwich or a glass of warm milk may encourage the release of sleep inducing serotonin.

–         Do your best to limit strenuous activities several hours before bedtime. 

–         Encourage relaxation for an hour or so before bedtime.  Listening to music, reading or taking a warm bath before bed can be relaxing.  Computers and cell phones are best turned off at least an hour before bed.

–         If your teenager is complaining of insomnia try some home remedies.  A popular herb for insomnia is Valerian.  Try serving a herbal tea containing Valerian or mix your own with 1 tsp of chamomile, 1 tsp hops, 1 tsp valerian root and 1 cup of boiling water.  Steep for 45 minutes, strain and then have your teenager drink the tea 1 hour before bedtime.    

–         Offering your teenager the occasional back or foot rub at bedtime can be very helpful in promoting bedtime.

Never underestimate the problem of teenagers being sleepy in the daytime.  Sleep-deprivation impairs mood and affects performance while drowsiness and fatigue have been shown to cause many traffic accidents with teenagers at the wheel.  Disciplinary problems, sleepiness and poor concentration in school can be attributed to a lack of sleep.

Teenagers don’t think of sleep as a priority.  Going to bed at a reasonable hour and waking up on time should be, in the majority of cases, your teenager’s responsibility.  When your teenager is not handling this necessity in a responsible manner it is best that you step in and try some of the above techniques and as much positive encouragement as possible.