Puberty naturally changes your body's shape and the way fat is distributed, this is a healthy, expected part of development, not something to be managed away. This chapter is less about a target number and more about building a steady, kind relationship with your body during a stage when it's changing quickly.
What's Healthy to Focus On
- Eating a variety of foods, including plenty of fruits, vegetables, and protein, without labeling foods as strictly "good" or "bad."
- Moving your body in ways you enjoy, regularly.
- Getting enough sleep.
- Noticing how you talk to yourself about your body, and choosing kindness.
What to Be Cautious Of
- Comparing your body to friends, celebrities, or social media, bodies naturally develop at different rates and in different shapes.
- Skipping meals, cutting out entire food groups, or following strict diet rules, these can disrupt the hormone balance this whole book is about, and interfere with healthy growth.
- Judging your worth by your weight or appearance.
If Eating or Body Image Feels Like a Struggle
- If you notice yourself skipping meals, feeling intense guilt about eating, or being consumed by thoughts about your weight or body, please talk to a parent, school counselor, or doctor. This is a common experience during the teenage years, and support genuinely helps.