BOOBS BOUNCE DURING PE

Dear Jellybean,

Okay, my boobs are a 34B, and I'm in the eigth grade and I am 13 years old. At P.E. the tops are loose so when I run or do jumping jacks. Guys always cheer. It gets really annoying and I feel like a slut. What should I do? I wear sports bras. but it still doesn't work. what can i possibly do to fix this?
-Big Boobs

Dear Big Boobs,

I have to tell you, I detest the word "slut" - especially when it's used this way. I get what you're saying, but don't go calling yourself nasty names - you don't deserve it.

Sports bras are the best option to rein in "the ladies" during exercise - but the problem is, most sports bras suck, and that's especially true for the cheap ones. But they sure are better than no sports bra at all.

You need to get a great sports bra, and have it accurately fitted to your body, to minimize the bounce factor and provide enough support during a workout. A poorly-fitting bra can lead to back pain and problems with posture that can become permanent. Exercising without a sports bra can lead to irreversible, premature sagging of the breasts. Just say, no thank you!

So don't just grab any old sports bra off the rack, or order one online. Go to a shop that specializes in bras (or the bra department of a department store), and ask the bra saleslady to give you a proper fitting. You may think you know your correct bra size, but chances are you're wrong - studies have found that 70% of women don't know their right size.

Once you know your size, it's time to look for a new sports bra. The best, most supportive sports bra will be high-cut and full in the cup. Unfortunately, this will not be the cutest-looking bra, but it will cut down on bounce and help to prevent breast damage. Choose a soft-cup bra (instead of the underwire kind), as underwires can dig in, causing rubbing, irritation and discomfort and damage your breast tissue. The bra should fit you comfortably snug. You need to be supported, but still beable to breathe freely during exercise.

Many sports bra tags or packages also list a "level of activity" on the outside of the package, that indicates the level of activity for which their various sports bras are best suited. The higher the level of activity, the higher level of support you'll need. For instance, Level 1 is low impact such as walking, while level 4 high impact such as running or soccer. If your goal is as little bounce as possible, you can just buy a bra made for the highest activity level (level 4).

Don't neglect the power of layering, either. You can wear a snug-fitting tank top, or even a sleeveless leotard, over your sports bra, and tuck it into your shorts. That will help to restrain your breasts during jumping or and running exercises. Then wear your loose PE top over the tank.