the whole enchilada!?

Question

Let’s just say I’m really self conscious about my body. I’m turning 14 and entering the 8th grade. All the other girls in my class are sooooo skinny! I’m 5’6 1/2” and 140Ibs and my body build is thick, but I’m not fat, though I feel that I am. My body has matured already – meaning I don’t have a flat chest and might have some curves. As I mentioned before, I feel fat. I have enormous thighs and calves and flabby arms and stomach. Am I just being paranoid? I think I could lose some weight but still be healthy. It runs in the family: we love food! I’m a vegetarian, but that doesn’t stop me! How do you build will power to not eat? Gaa! It’s hard!

I play basketball and volleyball during the school year. During the summer there are only basketball camps, which I don’t really want to do. I’ve already looked for leagues but there aren’t any. Club volleyball is way too expensive! Do you have any suggestions for sports I can do just for the summer in Chicago? I know this is a bit late to sign up for things, so are there sports that I can just join right in and then quit whenever I want to? Thanks so much!

Answer 1

This is exactly what I felt like when I was 14, even down to feeling like my calves were big. The other girls in my classes were still wearing kid's sizes and I was wearing women's. I honestly understand where you're coming from. Don't let it get you down, though - some of the thinnest girls I used to know are now overweight because they never had to worry about eating healthy or exercising, so they ended up gaining after puberty and not knowing how to deal with it. Don't stress over it, you're certainly not fat.

At 5'6 and 140lbs, your weight is fine (unless your doctor has specified otherwise) but I know how you feel compared to the other girls right now. Since you're still growing, don't try to lose a lot of weight or you could damage your body and growth. Your idea of taking up a sport is excellent, though, just because it has so many benefits - colleges or universities often offer classes to the public that you can take and they're usually drop-in, so you don't need to commit yourself to a team or anything like that. Otherwise, you can try a community centre or gym and see if they have similar drop-in classes.

Answer 2

I'm going into my jr. year in high school and i am the same way and have been the same way since 7th/8th grade. i was tall 5'7 and around the same weight. i'm also a vegetarian. being a vegetarian is hard to do because you have to make sure you're eating the right stuff and staying away from junk food. as long as you stay active you will be good. there willl always be really skinny girls in a size 1 that think they're the best, but curves look so much more healthy & beautiful. my boyfriend and friends all say that being curvy and healthy looking is better and more attractive than being stick thin and malnourished looking.

also - jogging every night or every other night has helped me so much with maintaining a healthy weight. stay active in your sports and even do some situps before bed.

good luck & have fun!

Answer 3

Sweetie, if you are as active as you say, and you're a vegetarian, eating only healthy foods, I'd say you're doing everything right.

I know there's this flock of size 2s who love to peacock around in their j crew outfits. But you aren't built like that, and you have boobs (they don't unless they've seen the plastic surgeon). I don't think the girls in the prom dresses that look really nice are the skinny ones--it's the curvy ones. Give me curves over skinny any time.

If you feel like you really have to do something about this, I'd say work out in the weight room on your arms and thighs and calves. Maybe you could get some definition. But my suggestion is: leave yourself alone. You're a growing girl and you need food. Just keep active.

Debbie

P.S. Swim.

Answer 4

the best sport is jogging it will boost your matabolism and train you for other sports during the school year and if you get good you could run track! have you seen the bodies of people who run track! you definatly got the right idea about not stoping eating because that is both bad for your health and will slow your matabolism and make it harder to lose weight
good luck!!!

Answer 5

Keep in mind that muscle weighs more and you sound muscular to me.

Count calories and don't starve your self. Just cut out all the fat stuff and you will slim down before long.

Answer 6

See if you can find a tae bo class near you. It helps get all those muscles to firm up and you can also lose weight. It is also a fun way to do it.

Answer 7

why don't you try dance? that way in high school--you can try out for the dance team!