My Teen needs to lose weight....

Have you spoken with her doctor about it? I'm sure he/she would give you some recommendations on how to help her. Maybe you could get her a personal trainer/nutritionalist. I don't know if your insurance would cover it but it might if the doctor says she needs to lose weight for health reasons and gives you a referral.

Talk to her dr. just to make sure that it is ok and that otherwise she is healthy and then let her join weight watchers.

My granddaughter who is 13 was about 30 lbs overweight and I paid for her to go with me and she loves it. She is actually doing better than I thought. It is a game to her to spend her points wisely.

It is also fun to watch her face when we go shopping and she has to keep going down a size to get pants that fit.

Since she is 14, she may be putting on weight because of puberty. I know many girls put on weight about that age and then grow and thin out at about 16, just a normal part of their bodies growing and changing.

If you are concerned talk to the doctor. I personally would not bring it up with her. This is an age where girls are so critical of themselves and you don't want to hurt her. I have known girls whose parents have brought it up and suggested they go to a nutritionist or weight loss group and all it did was make them feel terrible about themselves. She needs to know she is beautiful to you no matter what.

Since she is active and sees you active, maybe start focusing on cooking. Tell her you are feeling like you want to start eating better and you'd love some help (even if you are already healthy) and she can help you research some ideas and recipes and then join in on the cooking. Make it a positive, family activity. A bonding time with the two of you. Then she can learn about changing her eating habits without being put on the spot and it's not about her.

I just wonder how do you know she is overweight? Do you have actual numbers or does she just look overweight/out of shape? Also what is her height/weight? I had a teenage foster daughter. We bought a treadmill for myself. When Christmas break came, I told her she needed to go on it every day, and she did. She wound up being more dedicated than I was and went down 2 pants sizes (in 6 months). Whatever she is sneaking to her room, get rid of it. Don't buy sweets or soda. I know for most kids/teens soda is like crack to them. Also, just tell her she is going to the doctor for a check-up. Don't tell her it is for her weight. And if she is overweight, the doctor will tell you.

I agree with liamsmom, puberty and hormones do all sorts of things

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I was going to say the same thing. My DD had many friends that went through a "chunky" stage when they were starting and going through the early stages of puberty. They eventually went back to being normal weight. I'd just make sure she's eating healthy food and getting some exercise, and try to not make a big deal out of it to her.

Make sure you have her thyroid checked. I know that affects weight. And, I agree with the others. I have six children...three around this age. The younger of those three is my almost 13 year old daughter. She started puberty way earlier than I did...starting her period at age ELEVEN. It was about a year before that that SHE started putting on weight...the only one of my children to do this. I was way concerned, but her dr. blew me off and told me it was often that way for girls in puberty times. Fast forward to today, and she is now about 20 pounds less than what she was then. She didn't do anything except to grow into herself! She still has a "baby belly", but everytime my parents come to visit they comment on how much less even that is...so I know the dr. WAS right, and Mom worried for nothing!!

I'd let the doctor do the talking, if it needs to be done. At that age, weight loss can be easy if taught how to do it in a healthy way. However, she may just be someone who will grow out of baby fat.

I'd try to get her into activities that aren't around food, including ice skating, music classes, horses, and other things. Something active would be best, and doing it as a family would even be better. Have her bike places, rather than driving her, if possible. Biking easily takes off pounds and is fun.

And I'd also make sure that the house is stocked ONLY with nutritious food. Fig Newtons, lots of fruit and veggies; carrot sticks and ranch dressing are a hit with my kids. If soda is a problem, try to wean her into flavored water. We use the PUR pitcher that adds flavoring - very little sugar, but makes it a refreshing treat. My kids are hooked on it.

And stick with your no eating in the bedroom rule. I was able to stop my kids from that when I explained that the tiniest crumb will attract bugs that will crawl on the bed. It worked.

With all the media and peer pressure, I'd not harp on it too much with her (it sounds like you're not anyway) - that's why you can let the Dr. be the bad newsbearer. Last thing you want is a girl entering an age when she can learn many bad dieting habits from friends and media, and then looking like some of those girls in Hollywood. Remember Kate Bosworth before she got so skinny? She was cute then. Now it looks like her head is going to make her topple over any minute.