Dear Dish-it,
I'm only 11-years-old and I weigh 155 pounds. I know I'm fat, but I want to lose weight and get a boyfriend. Can you help me?
Overweight
Dear Overweight,
I'm sorry to hear that you're not happy with your appearance. But the truth is, most people aren't. More often than not, even people who may look perfect to you want to change something about themselves. There's so much pressure in the media nowadays to look a certain way. But honestly, many of the celebs you see in magazines and on tv who look skinny and beautiful are actually underweight. They either over exercise or they have unhealthy eating habits that don't give them all the nutrients their bodies need. Normal people shouldn't expect to look like that. For you, the most important thing is finding the weight that makes you both happy and healthy.
Everyone's Body is Different
Keep in mind that everyone's body is different. Some people have a higher metabolism than others, which allows them to eat more and stay trim. I'm not saying that you don't need to be concerned about your weight, however. Idealy, at 11-years-old, you don't want to weight 155 pounds. But don't be discouraged. Part of that weight could be due to your height if you're fairly tall. In theory, 1 inch in height is supposed to equal 4 to 6 pounds. Online you can find healthy weight-to-height charts for your frame size, or ask your doctor.
Be Active
If your family has poor eating habits, that could be the problem. Ask your mom or dad to cook healthy meals, and replace your snacks with fruits and vegetables. Nowadays people have the tendency to overeat, so Google the appropriate portion sizes you should be having with each meal for someone your age. And don't forget to exercise. Join a sport, jump rope or go swimming. Anything you can do to be active for at least 1 hour every day will help you shed those pounds. It's better to take the weight off now when you're still young and growing, and while your metabolism is still high. The older you get, the slower your metabolism will become making it harder to lose weight.
Talk to Your Doctor
If you have anymore questions or concerns about your weight or how to shed those unwanted pounds, ask your parents to book an appointment with your family doctor. He or she can put you on an eating plan or at least get you motivated. Just remember, it's never too late to make a change. And once you do, it will boost your confidence and improve your health. Best of luck!
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