Is it bad to do a lot of working out if you're only 13?

Question

I do these workouts from magazines like CosmoGIRL! and Seventeen, but my mom says that it's bad for me to do these workout that work on your abs and stuff b/c I'm still "developing" and "growing". So it it bad to work out at this age? Because I want to get toned and in shape before school starts.

Answer 1

Your mom is telling you nonsense. What -- should you become like one of the other million other 13-year-olds who consume too much sugary foods and sit on the couch watching TV?

Kids and young adults are made to be active. If you do workouts -- even on your abs -- you should be applauded. You are adopting a fit lifestyle -- one that will carry you for the rest of your life. Your chances of living longer and avoiding certain diseases will significantly improve.

On the other hand, I do caution you from pushing yourself too hard. It is recommended that young adults such as yourself shouldn't be running marathons or competing in ultra-events. However, those magazine articles are generally pretty tame and reasonable.

Stick with it and show your mom what you are doing and make her realize that you are bettering yourself for doing it.

Good luck.

Answer 2

There is some truth to what your mom has to say. It may be feel weird, but ask your doctor for a workout plan if you don't belong to gym. If you have a YMCA or still can reach your phys ed teacher, ask them to help you create a work out program safe for someone your age.

Don't stop working out, but you need to make sure you're not over doing it. Your body still needs a certain level of body fat in order to "develop". If you don't have a high enough body fat count, your body won't produce the hormones needed to develop. May not seem like a big deal now, but you don't want to risk having any diffulties when your a fully developed woman.

Don't give up. Just get the needed advise from someone other than a magazine. It will calm your mom's nerves and you'll still get the results you want. Good Luck!!!

Answer 3

Honey, don't worry about your mom telling you NOT to work out. Worry about eating healthy stuff and a lot of lean meat, so you have enough proteins. Meat should be one half of your full plate of food. The vegetables one fourth, the rest can be anything (=carbs). Or just make veggies the other half :-) Get some fast carbs (pizza+coke or some cake+sweet soda) right after workout to replenish your glycogen levels in muscles. Other times evade fast carbs / liquid carbs / fastfood.

Also, make sure you do REAL workouts, like they recommend on bodybuilding.com, or other professional sites; those workouts in popular magazines are kind of frowned upon :-)

And don't do just the workouts, be really active all the time! Regarding diet,do check out this detailed answer that I gave one troubled girl, you might have something in common:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/;_ylt=Aige6tLGC0iMNABAXgyvdHAezKIX?qid=20060613120759AANBqrN

Answer 4

As long as you are not using heavy weights. Because your growth plates are not sealed yet. Listen to your body. Rest when you are sore, eat and drink enough to help repair your body after your workouts. It is great to start exercising at this age. You are more likely to continue, as you grow older. Much much better than sitting around all day. Good for you!

Answer 5

I don't think there's anything wrong with working out at your age.
As long as you don't take too many supplements or lift heavy weights you should be fine. It's great to be in shape. My mom use to tell me stuff like that. Just keep doing what you're doing it's worth it.

Answer 6

you should be fine as long as you dont carry it to excess

an hour a day exercise is fine if you have a good diet and get good sleep

and as long as you balance your workouts to ensure an even strength development

for example if you spend a lot of time on your abs - you need to make sure you spend equal time on your lower back

its better to exercise than to diet at your age so good for you

Answer 7

No it just means that you will be in good shape and ur heart will be really healthy so no its not to bad to work out alot it ur only 13

Answer 8

standard exercises should be alright. stay away from anything that has to do with lifting or using weights. Otherwise, if it's your own body wieght....like pushups....you'll be fine. Consider all a gymnast does and they start young.

Answer 9

yes if you over do it there is a such thing has it not working

Answer 10

If it okay with your parent and doctor