Am I overweight or just tall?

I'm 13 years old and I weigh 180 pounds. I don't look like I weigh 180 pounds...I am actually getting curvy, and I'm tall. Is it just because I'm tall that I weigh so much? Or am I just fat?

Hey girl, welcome to the wonderful world of puberty, hon. You are not alone. Your body is going through some major changes right now. It seems as though you’ve gotten taller overnight and there’s hair popping up in places where there didn’t used to be any. All of this is perfectly normal.

Are you healthy?

The person who can best answer this question is your doctor. But before you schedule an appointment, you can see what a normal range is for your height by using a Body Mass Index (or BMI) calculator. Your Body Mass Index is used to determine if you’re in a healthy weight range.

It takes into account your height, weight and age. But it doesn’t take into consideration muscle mass, so if you’re athletic and play a lot of sports, your BMI could be high even though you're perfectly healthy. For more information, check out our intro to finding your Body Mass Index.

Bust a move

One of the best ways to stay healthy is to stay active. Work with your doc to develop a fitness plan that fits your needs and lifestyle. Did you spend your summer watching the World Cup? Then maybe you should try out for the school’s soccer team. Or maybe Dancing with the Stars is more your thing? Then try a Zumba dance class at a local gym. Remember, the goal here is to have fun and stay fit, not necessarily lose weight.

Embrace your curves

In case you missed the memo, curves are all the rage right now. Don’t believe it? Check out pictures of Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian and Mad Men actress Christina Hendricks. Play up your fuller figure with flirty dresses and skirts that flatter your shape. Cinch a cute dress at the waist with a funky belt to draw attention to your hourglass frame. You’ll look and feel good, too!

Lots of love,
L’Oreal
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by L'Oreal Thompson | 2/1/2016
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