Be Active
Participate in sports or another fun and active pastime. Riding a bike, swimming, jogging, hiking and walking are all great exercise.

Drink Water
Each day you should drink at least six 8-ounce glasses of water; milk has fewer calories than sodas and juices.  Stay away from excessive caffeine.

Skip Fad Diets
These restrictive diets are not beneficial long term. When you begin eating regularly, the weight comes back; don't use diet pills.

Don't Deprive Yourself
Eliminating an entire food group (i.e. - carbohydrates like bread, cereal, rice and pasta) is harmful because you may not get all of the vitamins that your body needs. Eat a variety of foods like fruits, vegetables, lean meats and grains.

Eat Often
Starving oneself will only slow your metabolism. Eating several small meals each day will keep your body burning calories and increase your metabolism. Consult the food pyramid to decide which foods are best and how many servings of each group you need to grow up healthy and strong.

Exercise Daily
Working out with a friend can make physical activity more enjoyable. If you engage in various activities, you can prevent becoming bored.

Prevent Disease
Poor nutrition and lack of exercise are linked to 17 chronic diseases, as well as high blood pressure, obesity, and high cholesterol.