Healthy Ways Of Losing And Gaining Weight / Question
Published: October 22, 2000
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I am a 14-year-old female and my weight is about 135. I exercise regularly and eat right, but my stomach gets flatter, but I am not losing any weight. What should I do?
Signed: Stomach Flatter, But Not Losing Weight
Dear Stomach Flatter, But Not Losing Weight,
TeenHealthFX is happy to say that you should not change a thing. It sounds like you lead a healthy lifestyle with proper exercise and eating habits. You do not mention your height so it is difficult to assess via the net. Your body knows what weight it is comfortable at and 135 might just be it! Your stomach getting flatter is a good indication that you may be getting leaner and gaining muscle. Your body may be in fact becoming slimmer, but your weight will not change because the newly acquired muscle mass weighs more than the fatty tissue you have begun to loose. This is good!
Although it may seem that your efforts to live healthy may not be paying off, from what you have said it sounds like they are. It is important to pay attention to how your body feels and looks rather than by the number on the scale. A scale is only a machine that cannot take into consideration your height or body mass.
Discuss your weight and your own body image concerns with your doctor if they are upsetting to you. He or she can accurately look at your weight and height; your eating and exercise habits and make a determination about what is healthy for you.
In the meantime, keep up the good work!
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Freshmen bring an average of $1,585.00 in credit card debt to college.
