A
female
age
26-29,
*orrely
writes:I'm 15 years old, 5'5 and 108 pounds. I know I'm not technically obese, but I have a tiny bit of a tummy, and I used to not have any, and I absolutely loathe it. When I sit down i feel self conscious about it b/c i can feel it and its nasty. It's not about the weight, it's just about how it feels. I want to be comfortable in my own skin again. What is the best way to tone my belly? I already run 3 miles 3-4 times per week and bike for 20 minutes for 3-4 times per week. I eat fairly healthy, allow myself to indulge every now and then, and the thing is, if I have a small piece of pie or any kind of sweets, I can actually see the difference in my stomache. I don't understand why!Any advice will be very much appreciated!! Reply to this Question
Share |
Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (28 November 2010): Exercise. Exercise. IF you have a "tiny" bit of a tummy and you don't like it, then do something about it and you sound like you might be underweight. But at your age, your body is changing from girl to woman and you will start to get curves.
Embrace it and I wish I had a "tiny" tummy problem. Embrace who you are and be happy with it.
A
reader, anonymous, writes (28 November 2010): at 5ft5 and 108lbs you seem abit under-weight your BMI is 17.97
stop worry about your stomach for christs sake! be happy with yourself
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (28 November 2010): Good God, I know a lot how that feels. When you've been used to a tightasadrum delicate-teeeny child's body your whole life and then suddenly start changing into softer woman- ness, it can be Very upsetting for some girls. You suddenly feel like your physical self is this foreign thing and don't recognize yourself in your own skin, even weighed down when you move about and, if you've developed breatss by now... too unruly? Less tidy and compact and light and free? Is this sounding at all familiar?
Age 13 or so is around the time, I'm thinking due to changes in social environment, that kids start growing more self- conscious and analytical about their own features in the mirror. It's very important to surround yourself at this time with people who have healthy ideas of attractiveness and what idelas should be; who are not harmfully critical of you or overly negative in general.
You sound to me a very athletic person. I hope you continue to care about your health and fitness, without letting their importance to you slip into extremes. The more cardio a person does, generally, the more they feel the need to eat, as when tired out we crave energy to revive us.
So, for the difference you perceive in your stomach after eating, likely it's just because there's more food in there (especially water can make your stomach appear larger). Women fluctuate in weight throughout the "month" and throughout even the day... excessive sodium intake can have a lot to do with a perception of bloatedness; eating foods that your body does not digest very easily/speedily can do the same (I'm thinking this latter one varies from person to person... some have a harder time digesting dairy products or meat...).
If you wanted to focus on strengthening your core muscles more, to allow your abs to show through, you could try looking up simple toning exercises on line, such as the proper way to do a sit up or "the plank" or various Pilates- related moves, or a great many others.
Again, stay within your natural bounds; don't push yourself to stressful extreme... health is about moderation, balance, and variety.
-Tante Vic
...............................
A
male
reader, CaringGuy  +, writes (28 November 2010):
The problem with teenagers is that they have this perception that their bodies are supposed to be perfect, when in fact they're still growing.
Your body is still growing, it's still turning from a child's body into an adult one. Women especially need to retain more fat than men, because of the effects of pregnancy one day.
You eat healthily, you go out running, you go out on your bike and you keep healthy. You're doing everything you can. The best thing for stomachs is sit-ups, so do those too.
But you need to accept that you won't have the body of a child anymore. You're turning into a woman, and naturally you'll need to retain a little more fat here and there because one day your body will need it for pregnancy.
You're growing up, and you need to let your body grow up with you, or further on in life, you'll have major illnesses. Just relax.
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (28 November 2010): I can understand your feelings about your body and your self body image can be magnified so that you feel you must be perfect. But please don't waste time worrying about a tiny bulge of belly when you sound healthy and happy.
If it is about how you feel in your own skin, then you must work through this with or without the bulge in your tummy. It is something within you that needs to be adjusted. You just need to think about the people that you value in your life and why you value them. Then think about why others value you. I'm guessing neither have anything to do with their looks or their waistline, now does it?
You must love yourself inside and out, and accept who you are. You must think about the fact that you are doing all you can to be healthy and that is a great thing at your age to be doing. Keep up the exercise and healthy eating, and think positively about yourself. This will help you have a healthy body image. Others will see your confidence and realize that you are happy just the way you are. Trick yourself even by telling yourself you love how you look , and trust me, you will start to believe it until one day you WILL love the way you look! And you will be proud of the person you are today on the inside and the out.
...............................
|
