That's Fit

Q. Hey Fitz. I am 12 years old and am a little chunky. I have love handles and wish to get rid of them, but I don't know what I should do! I was trying sit ups and crunches, but they don't work. Now I want to know what really works and how I can keep my body in shape without body fat . Everyone says that I'm not fat nor skinny, I'm just chunky. I want to get rid of all the chunky parts, but I don't know what I should do. Please help! Jellybean

A. First of all Jellybean, I want you to change your focus. I know it's hard to be young and uncomfortable in your skin. I too, had that issue before I was a teenager and ended up with a traumatic eating disorder. Trust me ... it brought me only bad things, never good. Don't go there. Instead of focusing on your so-called "flaws", find something about your body you like. I bet your body is loaded with treasures.

Next, start thinking about what your body can do. This is the secret to having a strong, athletic, and healthy body. Get your body to do great things! Play sports, dance, ride your bike, roller skate or swim. If you move your body often, you will find more you like about it and less you don't like each and every day.

Finally, feed your body right! You'll never be happy or healthy in a body constantly inundated with typical 'kid food.' Now, I'm asking you to be a little sophisticated right now, but I promise if you follow my lead that by high school, you'll be the girl others are trying to emulate! Talk this over with your parents first, because I'm sure they're the shoppers in your family. Tell them you'd like to have more fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and low fat dairy products in the house. Maybe they can even help you create some healthy lunch recipes for you to take to school!

Ideally, you'll steer away from fried foods like chicken nuggets, buffalo wings, fries and onion rings. Avoid white bread, white rice, white pasta, and sugars. Instead, seek out whole grain versions of those things. Jellybean, food is supposed to nourish your body and help you grow strong and allow you the energy to keep you going. Food shouldn't serve as your main source of entertainment or stress relief. Keep these things in mind and you'll see your body develop into a healthy young woman.

Once again, I'd like you to talk to your parents about your feelings. Our bodies are complicated, scary, and sometimes just weird! Being 12 and having to deal with "perfect" images of models in magazines doesn't help either. Don't let your body define who you are as a person. It does not. Take good care of it though, and it will take care of you! Keep me posted sweetie. I'm looking forward to hearing back from you!

Punches & Kicks,