GETTING IN BETTER SHAPE

Dear Jellybean,

For the past week I've been doing 10 crunches every morning trying to get a flatter tummy, I've also been running a quarter mile every day trying to tone my inner thighs, and after I checked the scale I only lost 1 pound! Am I doing something wrong? How can I get in better shape? Any help is much appreciated!:-)
-Flabby girl

Dear Flabby girl,

It sounds like you've got a good workout routine going. You've included aerobics and stretches, which is the right combo to burn calories and tone muscles. Don't count on the scale too much though, because it's not the best indicator of your progress.

The truth is, fewer pounds does not necessarily mean less flab! It's possible to see a "skinny" weight on the scale and still look out of shape, just as it's possible to weigh a seemingly "heavier" weight, but look lean and trim. That's because muscle weighs TWICE as much as fat. BUT - muscle looks way leaner, burns more calories at rest, and makes your body look tighter. So a slim, fit girl can actually weigh quite a bit more than a flabby-looking girl of the same height - it's a fact!

Here are some better ways - other than the scale - to check if you are getting into better shape, and whether your weight is healthy for you.

Check The Fit

Is your clothing suddenly baggier than usual, or tighter than usual (even though you haven't grown any taller)? These are clues about your weight. So if those jeans that were too-tight last week are fitting better around the waist this week, you can assume your tummy crunches are working to whittle your waist and abs.

Check The Mirror

Are you seeing any new definition in your muscles when you look in the mirror? Does your tummy look less poufy from the side? Do your upper legs seem to wiggle less when you move around? These are all great indicators that your exercise routine is toning your bod.

Check Your Plate

Are you going for a run, then scarfing down a McMeal? Eating right is important when you're trying to get fit, and improve your overall health. Make sure you're not eating junk, or cutting out whole categories of food (like carbs) that your body needs to operate well. Try to eat a good balance of whole foods each day, from all the food categories. You can get more information about the ideal diet for a teenager on the Canada's Food Guide webpage.

Check Your Expectations

Losing a pound in a weight is actually quite good. Slower weight loss actually last longer - those fad workout/diets that help you lose a lot in a week or two, usually backfire when all the weight returns within a month. Get fit the right way - by eating healthfully and exercising regularly - and you'll form good habits that will keep you in good shape for a lifetime.

You've only been working out for a week. That's awesome, but it's also a really short time. Keep checking your progress, but don't expect miracles. Give your body time to respond to your new healthy routine, and get into shape. It will happen, it you keep up your new program.

Also be aware that some people are not meant to be whip-thin. The shapes we were born with - small-boned or stocky - and what we get from our parents has a lot to do with the way we are shaped. So girls of the same height and age can have different weights, and each can be in her own personal best shape. Don't fight nature - if you are a big-boned girl, you're never going to look like stick-figure girl Cameron Diaz... but you can aim for a curvier, more womanly Drew Barrymore bod.