Expert: Brian - 7/24/2006

Question
Hello Brian,
My name is Lauren and I'm 13 years old. I'm a cheerleader, but it's not sissy cheerleading it's competetive cheerleading. I have 4 practices 2 hours a week, I also work with a personal trainer 1 hour a week for my tumbling skills and I am in individual stunt group also. I also work out by doing a Cardio Fitness Video called Turbo Jam. I love my Turbo Jam! I try to do at least and hour whenever I'm not cheering. But what I want to know is I weigh 130. Now I have bigger muscles than all my friends and I am really stong and tone. But my stomach still has a little fat on it. Barely any. So what I want to know is am I slightly over weight? Should I continue the things I'm doing right now to work out? What advice can you give me?

Thanks so much Brian!
Lauren

Answer
Hi Lauren. You said "it's not sissy cheerleading" which made me laugh. I get your point, but I've never heard it put that way before.

How much you "should" weight depends on your height. 130 could be a very reasonable weight for you.

To me, the most important thing is that you have a fitness routine you are doing, and YOU LIKE IT. You can't imagine how many emails I receive from people twice your age (and older) who tell me they want to lose weight or gain muscle or "have six pack abs" but they hate going to the gym, or they don't like to workout, or they don't have time, or they want to do something for 6 weeks.

The only real secret to fitness is finding something that is part of your lifestyle. That way, you do it just because you like to, not because you want to look good going to the beach in a few weeks, or whatever.

So, seriously, your real goal should be being having fun. I'm sure competitive cheering is quite a workout, as is the Turbo Jam. Keep working at that. There are an awful lot of people your age who do nothing, and it shows. The oppposite is also true: it shows if you are one of those people who do exercise.

--Brian