[xx J3SSiiCa]

I'm a fifteen year old girl. Right now I weigh 141 pounds and I'm 5'1". It's really hard being somewhat overweight when you are a teen. If anyone has any ideas as far as diets and exercising routines that would be great. My mother is no help when it comes to this subject. She always criticizes me and says I'm fat, but she doesn't do anything to help me. So right about now I need all the help I can get. I'm going away with a couple of friends this summer, and I want to be skinny !!
Thank you so much !

[mommyof1]

OH honey! well just believe in yourself and dont worry about what others have to say.

[sockmonkey70]

Honestly, that is not a bad weight for your height, but I can totally relate to you. I was a chubby kid in Junior High, about your height and weight..everyone picked on me, even though I wasn't THAT fat..Then in the summer between 6th and 7th grade I decided to change that. My mom and I went on a diet. Every morning I would drink a Slimfast and eat a granola bar, then for lunch I would eat a bag of pretzels and a salad, and for supper I would eat a Lean Cuisine (which can be delicious BTW). I would also eat another serving of pretzels or an equivalent snack sometime during the day if I got hungry. I WAS STARVING ALL THE TIME though.

We also walked a half mile to a mile 5 days a week. Over the 3 months of summer, I got my weight down to 99lbs at 5'1", though I am not exactly sure where I started. I do think I looked unhealthy and too skinny but peer pressure is a biyatch. THAT may be why I got so heavy when I started college because I didn't really care anymore.

The moral of the story is, you're young and the weight WILL come off fast. If you are really worried about it, just make some simple changes. Try to stay away from Cokes. Just watch your portions, drink lots of water..But please don't starve yourself. Your young, eat while you can LOL..Get involved in softball or something fun like that to get you moving..Actually that would probably be enough alone, without dieting at all.
LOL I was the heaviest cheerleader on the squad at 5'3" 157 lbs..So maybe you could even try out for that!

Whatever ANYONE says, be happy with yourself. Other people's opinions don't matter nearly as much as you think they do.

[sockmonkey70]

Oh dear. I just went and looked at your profile picture. Guess what...... You are a total cutie pie!!!! Tell your mom to kiss your "fat" butt if she can't love you for who you are. I have been through the losing weight to make other people happy thing, and you see where I am at now. 220 lbs LOL. If you do diet, do it for yourself sweetie. I think you look just beautiful the way you are. Love the glasses BTW.

[johnnie]

J3SSiiCa --

I think sockmonkey gave you some great advice. To be healthy is better than being skinny.
Depending on your frame, anywhere from ~ 110-125 is your mid-point for a healthy BMI (body mass index). Take it slowly. If you lose it gradually, you will be doing the right things that will help you keep it off!
I lost 35 lbs over an entire year and have kept it off for 2 1/2 years now.
Remember diet is key, especially portion control. It is crazy how small serving sizes are -- when you have a medium bag of pretzels, there is usually 3-4 servings in there but it is so easy to eat the whole bag. If possible, eat 4 to 6 smaller meals a day -- this will keep your blood sugar levels stable and will never let you get too hungry...and more vulnerable for a snack attack
Also, I try to eat a substantial breakfast and lunch and limit my calories in the evening.
What you eat matters alot too. Read the labels and look up calories, fat grams and sugar levels online. The more you know, the better you will be able to make smarter food choices. In general, stay away from fried anything and sugar and white food (such as white bread, cakes, potatoes).
Physical activity is important as well. Not sure if you are active but start slow. Maybe walk with friends for 30 minutes 4 times a week for the 1st week. You can eventually progress to some jogging, jumping rope, maybe some light weights. I used to hate exercise and now I really enjoy it. I have a little 15 minutes routine as soon as I get up so I get some level of activity in every day but I try to do more later in the day as well.
One last thing -- keep a journal for both food and activity. I really helped me stay motivated and I could look back on what I did every week.
Hope this helps. Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions.

[Cheryl14]

Hi Jessica!

My son's girlfriend is your age and had great success with losing weight by eating less red meat and really upping the veggies that she was eating. She eats chicken and fish and also drinks lots of water.

Try adding more fiber, too.

Your metabolism at 15 is high, so by eating enough each day of the right foods, you should be down to your goal weight in no time!

Good luck to you, sweetie!

Cheryl

[100percentME]

Hey, its nice to meetcha. I understand what you are going through. My mom is very critical of me, if im just standing in the kitchen or drinking a glass of water she tells me to stop eating. Its really annoying, but dont let her drag you down. I really hope this site helps you. Everyone on here is a great encouragment, cuz we are all struggling to lose weight as well.
~HaiLeY~
we would love for you to join us in the teens thread. Here is a link:
http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=103217

[Janie Canuck]

Wow, if I could go back in time..... The advice I would give to myself at your age would be to cut myself some slack. Do not jump on the diet bandwagon (I didn't see the binge cycle lying in ambush around the next corner). If your typical diet is anything like what I see the teens I know eating, there should be lots of easy ways to make some positive changes. Pop is the #1 source of empty calories. Grab fruit instead of chips or cookies. Eat out less. Order the chicken breast instead of the nachos. Don't order things that come smothered in cheese. I would just hate to see someone so young starting a formal diet - go for healthy lifestyle and health.

As for your mother, that's sad that she can't be more supportive. She's probably nagging you out of love, but that doesn't make it any more helpful. Just try to tune her out. Get healthy for you and nobody but.