The keys to keeping a healthy weight (体重) are regular (规律的) exercise and good eating habits. It may sound difficult to try to work them into our lives, but in fact, the best way is by making small changes. Here’s the information you need to make healthy habits easy.

Teens (青少年) should get 60 minutes or more of physical activity a day. Notice the word “activity”: as long as you’re getting your body moving, any kind of exercise will do. What’s important is that each week you get the right balance (平衡) of activity, including aerobic, strength building, and stretching exercises. Make exercise a habit by doing some of them every day.

On days when you don’t have football practice or a PE lesson, 60 minutes a day of activity seems like a lot of time for busy students. The good news is that it’s OK to take shorter “exercise breaks” during the day. So get up 15 minutes early and do some stretching. Fast walk for 15 minutes at lunch. Walk or bike home after school.

Eating well doesn’t mean dieting (节食) over and over again. In fact, studies have shown that dieting often doesn’t work—and diets may have the reverse effect, with dieters putting on more weight than before they started.

One reason diets don’t work is because they can make people think of foods as “good” or “bad”, but the truth is, everything is OK in moderation (适量地). Dieters are also more likely to “give up” some foods; we may end up longing for these foods while our bodies don’t get enough (足够的) important nutrients (营养). Teens should eat all kinds of food, and there’s nothing wrong with a treat occasionally. A candy bar somehow tastes more special if we treat ourselves from time to time, not every day.

Try to come up with ways to fit exercise and healthy eating into your life in a way that works for you. We’re all different. Your best friend might like gym time better, while you enjoy walks with your dog in the park. Knowing what’s right for you will make staying at a healthy weight a lot easier!

If you're ready to add more physical activity (体育运动) to your life, here are some tips (建议).

Make physical activity of your routine, like brushing your teeth or going to work. Try biking to work at least once a week, using the stairs more often, or walking to some places near home. But talk to your doctor before you start an exercise routine, especially if you haven't been very active or have health problems.

Walking is one of the best fitness (健康) activities. To keep up a routine, you can walk with family members, friends or pets. Count your steps with a step counter (计数器). You can buy one at a sporting goods store. If you don't have time for one 30-minute walk, break it into three 10-minute walks.

Find an activity that you enjoy, and stay with it. Change it with other activities so you don't get bored. For example, walk three days a week, and swim or bike on the other days. Join a volleyball or basketball club for fun and exercise. By finding more activities you enjoy, you'll have a greater chance for success.