If you are overweight or obese (and 27% of Australian teenagers are), then it is harder to exercise. You may feel self-conscious or frustrated. According to a study in Canada in 2014, researchers found that adolescents who did both aerobic and resistance training as well as a modified diet, lost more weight than those who did one or none of the exercises.* Not everyone can afford a personal trainer or a gym membership. Some health funds, such as HBF provide free exercise classes (you have to be 15 to participate in classes unless you bring a parent to a family class). Some gyms and community centres have discounted memberships and special classes for teens. You can't just wake up one morning and decide you're going to jog 10km (especially if you're unfit). You need to build up slowly. It won't be easy, but it will be worth it.
* University of Calgary, Faculty of Medicine. "Best exercise for obese youths analyzed." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 22 September 2014. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140922180017.htm>.