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"  Karina, 16, of New York City, works with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to help kids and teens develop better food and fitness habits.She&amp;#039;s guest blogging here as part of their Go Healthy Month! Making the decision to get healthy was one of the most exciting, yet challenging, things I have ever done. From making simple choices, such as replacing bad food with good food or walking instead of taking the bus, becoming healthy was a battle. It&amp;#039;s tough to give up habits like drinking soda, eating candy and taking the train everywhere!  When I first entered high school I learned more about the importance of nutrition and exercise through an after school club called Healthy Lifestyles. I learned that people who did not take care of their bodies can become obese and live shorter lives. I also learned about how the foods you choose to eat while you are young can greatly affect your body in the future. We were taught the ins and outs of nutrition \u2014 like how salads are not always the healthiest option when they&amp;#039;re topped with crispy chicken, croutons and creamy Caesar dressing.  It was then that I finally made the choice to start living a healthier life. I gave up many of my unhealthy snacks and drinks. I stopped going to McDonald&amp;#039;s and Wendy&amp;#039;s after school, and I&amp;#039;d go home andwork out instead. I started to do more outdoor activities to get my body going.  Going to grocery stores has changed now, too. Whenever I&amp;#039;m tempted to buy a soda, I always think about how much sugar and bad ingredients it contains. I now choose drinks that contain 100-percent juice or just bottled water. Choosing healthier drinks is no longer a habit for me\u2014it comes naturally!  The most challenging part about becoming a healthier person was fighting off the temptations of sugary snacks and drinks. Now, it is easier for me to replace a candy bar with fruit, but in the beginning, it was not that simple. It takes a lot of dedication and determination. Another thing that&amp;#039;s hard: My friends are often trying to convince me to eat sweet treats! I realized the way to escape that is by convincing them to face the challenge with me. The more, the merrier, right? I believe that if a person who loved fast food and sugary drinks as much as me was able to give it up, then anyone can.  Cutting down on these unhealthy options is a step-by-step process, but overtime can be completed. Living a healthy life has made me a happier and more focused person. I actually have clearer skin than before! Now that I am involved with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, I learned even more about living a healthy lifestyle and teaching others about it. I have now come to an understanding that making the decision to be a healthy person is a life long commitment. Try to make one little change this month. What will it be? Share it below! "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.seventeen.com/health/fitness/a5613/alliance-karina1-aab-092309/>