It's not a secret that our society is obsessed with looks.  Pick up any magazine and you'll see an image that may be distorted thanks to programs such as Photoshop.  Some of those bodies aren't real but the message they send is:  looks matter, skinny is better, and you should look this way.  Remember, looks can be deceiving.  And, who says that super skin and bones is better?

There's nothing wrong with shedding weight but when you go to extremes such as starvation, that's a problem.  Starving the body isn't a good idea because you could damage internal organs.  And, spending time in the hospital doesn't sound like much fun.

Extreme dieting can kill you

If you yo-yo diet, you could ruin your body from the inside out.  Popping diet pills isn't always the best idea.  You have no idea what's in these pills and some people have become addicted to diet pills or died from taking them.

Exercising 7-days a week (the body needs rest) can do more harm than good, especially if you're exercising with a ton of clothes on and it's hot outside!  It's all right to exercise when it's warm out as long as you're smart about it.  Wear loose fitting clothes and drink plenty of water.  Otherwise, you could wind up in the hospital or the morgue!

Take off weight the right way

You may be a teen girl or boy who wants to lose weight.  This is great but there's a right way and a wrong way to do it.  Talk to your parents and tell them you'd like to release 20 lbs. or more.  Speak to your doctor and find the right nutritional plan for you because diets don't work!  It's best to tackle your weight with the proper guidance instead of doing it alone.

Family support is imperative.  Chances are if you're an overweight teen, your family is overweight.  Obesity is running rampant in the U.S. and is catching up to the rest of the world.  Life's too short to be carrying extra weight around with you.  Extreme dieting is not the answer but eating right and exercising is.

In Part II of Are You a Teen Who's an Extreme Dieter? I'll share my personal experience about extreme dieting.  Perhaps it will help some of you out there who are struggling with your weight.  Remember, you are beautiful, worthy, and deserving of a great life because you are you!