INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Two months is a long time even if you don't end up shedding 30 pounds, it's plenty of time to make a significant difference in how you look and how you feel. That being said, too many people expect to see immediate results and are disappointed when they don't. They work out for a week and barely make a budge on the scale. They think: "What's the use in me punishing myself this way if it doesn't make a difference?" They quit. This is called the plateau effect. In order to beat the plateau effect, you need to introduce variety into both your diet and workout regime. Switch things up in your diet and workout routine; avoid getting too complacent with one set of foods and one set of exercises. The idea that you can only lose weight in, say, your belly without losing weight elsewhere is called "spot reduction." Spot reduction has been proven to be a myth. The fat broken down by the body for fuel can and does come from anywhere. Don't set yourself up for failure by only hoping to lose fat from your thighs and belly and not from anywhere else on your body. If you're serious about shedding 30 pounds, you won't be able to do it without nature's favorite hydration source. Water is clean, refreshing, plentiful, and most importantly calorie free. Substituting water for soft drinks, energy drinks, fruit juices, and other caloric drinks can ultimately be the difference between making your goal and missing it. Here's one trick that you can use to feel more full before meals. Down an 8-ounce glass of water right before you eat. The water will take up extra space in your stomach and make it harder to eat as much as you might on an empty stomach. Be sure to eat nutritiously, however, so that you don't get hungry in another hour. Ever hear the phrase "Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper?" Eating a complete breakfast will help your body jump-start its metabolism, prepping it for the day to come. Skipping breakfast means you're asking your body to fast to 15 to 20 hours. When this happens, your body can't produce the necessary enzymes to metabolize fat efficiently, setting you up for failure. If you get hungry, eat a healthy, nutritious snack in between meals. Carrots and hummus, or celery and tuna mixed with olive oil and lemon juice. Get creative, but be sure that the "snack" you choose for yourself falls within whatever diet you've given yourself. Try as much as possible to take a light dinner. Many people say that your metabolism slows down during the night, taking it harder for your body to digest large amounts of food eaten during dinner. While there's no conclusive scientific evidence to suggest this, there is good reason to keep dinner light. The types of foods that we eat later on an night tend to be worse for us: snacks, ice-cream, candies, and other indulgences. We all know that dieting can be a chore. But if you have the opportunity to make it fun and rewarding, it can be. So make the diet into a game challenge yourself to stay under 1,500 calories for 5 out of the 7 days in the week. Reward yourself when you break a milestone if you're on pace after the first month, treat yourself to a shopping spree. Whatever you do, have fun doing it and your body will reward you.

SUMMARY: Don't get discouraged if you don't see immediate results. Know that you can't lose weight in only one area. Drink predominantly water. Eat a complete breakfast, a decent lunch, and a light dinner. Have fun along the way.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Seek out products that do not test on animals and do not contain chemicals that require big CAUTION or WARNING notices on the label. There are increasing numbers of products called "natural" or "organic" available, but it never hurts to look at the labels. Choose products without excess packaging. It was annoying enough when you had to wait for your Dad to dig out your new action figure from that plastic blister packaging; think about the excessive waste such over-packaging creates. Buy local products when available. Maybe your area has a little candle-making factory or engraver where you can pick up a nice Mother's Day gift. Not only will you be helping your local economy, you will be saving the energy usage and pollution required to ship goods long distances. They don't take up much space but can prevent a lot of waste. Ever notice how plastic bags seem to always end up stuck in trees or on grassy hillsides, or seen news reports about the giant swirls of plastic junk floating in the middle of the oceans? Every plastic bottle not made and plastic bag not used helps a little bit. Just because you don't want them anymore doesn't mean someone else wouldn't be happy to have them. People always seem to assume that all teens need to have the newest everything and discard perfectly good things that are no longer "cool" enough. Prove them wrong. Buy used and vintage items as well. Freak out your parents by buying a shirt from their high school days and declaring it "so retro." Can you use some parts from your broken-down old bike for your science fair project? Or use your (or, okay, maybe your parents') old CDs to make a collage or mobile for art class? From clothes to paper and plastic, recycle everything you can. If your municipality has a recycling program, make sure your family uses it. Does your school make recycling convenient? If not, isn't that something that student councils are for? Help turn recycling into a habit for everyone.

SUMMARY:
Buy eco-friendly products. Carry a tote bag and reusable water bottle. Donate old clothes, toys, electronics, etc. Get creative before throwing things out. Recycle everything you can.