hardworking school girl - calories per day!?

i've just started back at school and realize i've definately been spending less energy in the holidays than in a school day.
my usual day is 6 55minute periods and a recess and lunch break. then this afternoon i went to the gym. how much should i be eating and how many calories?

Liv, you're 15. I'd say, at this point, you shouldn't worry about how many calories you should be taking in.  Just do your best to stay active and work on being fit. Exercise, Exercise, Exercise! :)

I totally agree with hk.  You are too young to be looking into dieting and such.

What you should do is make sure you eat healthy.  Cut the junk food totally out and drop the soda (or switch to diet).  Drink plenty of water during the day and make sure you are eating at least 3 times a day.

Get plenty of exercise.

Your body is still growing.  No need to cut down its nutrients yet.

Goodness!
Your only 2 months and a few days older than my son..

His friends are always over here and the girls all talk about how discusting the look..They are all beautiful... Curves are hot. I so admire Tyra Banks for how is she is portraying herself in the media.. She is  a huge role model to my own daughter who is only 11 and already obsessing...

Anyway.. sorry to ramble there..

Here where my son goes to school, their classes are 4- 90 minutes sessions {or blocks} When they go for lunch they have the option of going out to the track or into the gym or the weight training building to expell some of that enegery they have pent up..

Your bone structure is still growing, I would not advise any kind of major diet.. Girls tend to continue to grow untill they are 18...

However I would say eat sensible.. I think the new thing is 5 veggies, 5 colors and I forget the rest.. I have learned that to the teenage would who eats Pizza and cheeseburgers by the truckload, veggies are so not a cool thing.. So I have learned how to sneak things in under the radar..Spinach pizza rawks..and so does veggie pizza..

At your age you shuld also be keeping your protien levels up as your muscles are still developing.. STAY AWAY from the fad/crash diets...They will only kill your metabolism when you are older..

Make sure you exercise.. Yeah your at school half the day, and then homework/studies for a couple hours after that... Get out and go for a walk..Ride your bike...Things like that relieves stress from the daily goings on at school...

Oh Sweetie, don't start dieting! If your 15, your a freshman right, There is so much pressure put on young girls freshman year. Don't cave in! Play a sport or two, but only if you enjoy it. I graduated last year from High School, and Im only 18. I am 20 pounds heavier then I was freshman year and I look back at pictures and wish I wouldn't have been so hard on myself. Don't listen to that negative voice in your head telling yourself your not good enough, it's lying to you and it will hold you back from so much if you let it. Don't! Push it away because you have your whole life ahead of you. High School will be gone before you know it, so don't miss a minute! Honestly, play a sport that will keep you active and envolved in your class and your school. And don't count calories! You have many more important things to do, like go to the mall and out to movies with the boys! (wink*wink) You are beautiful, remind yourself everyday that you are beautiful. You don't need to worry about your body, just stay active and eat good foods. Good luck, sweetheart. I know how hard it is, trust me. You can pull through, and you will be truly happy if it comes from within!

Lots and Lots of LOVE!

Have your parents make an appointment with your pediatrician, to discuss appropriate diet and nutrition for you.

Bravo, clairelaine! I completely agree.

I thought some of the posts presupposed facts not written in the original post, so I went to look at your profile Liv000. Like you, I'm on the shorter side. Unlike you, there isn't a chance in hades I will get any taller! (hint hint--you are very likely going to grow more--which means the 'extra weight' you think you have might not be so extra in a few more months! =)

According to CC you should be eating about 2000 calories. You really need to talk to your parents and set up an appointment with a physician before you start trying to change any eating habits. Problem is this my dear---you're still growing--and actually, the final set of bones to fuse don't do so until you are about 25! So you've got a lot of growing to do! Like other folks said, you need protein and vitamins---and you don't get what you need when you 'diet'. But the only real issue here ought to be what your physician thinks---he/she can run some blood work and make sure everything looks good, you're getting enough nutrients and vitamins, and that your blood cholesterol is in a good range. Also, your body, because it's still growing, actually needs a certain amount of fat, particularly for the brain. It's a balance between how much is necessary and how much is too much. None of us here can determine that. Every body is different in its needs. Your doctor will know best.

If I could go back to the young woman I was at 15, or 25, I'd say this (what other folks said to you too): focus on eating healthy, don't eat junk food, find something healthy as an alternative when you eat out with friends, and focus on aerobic and strengthening exercises. Don't 'diet' --- those of us experiencing success here are making LIFESTYLE changes, not dieting. I can definitely confirm what others have said about fad dieting---you will absolutely ruin your metabolism, which makes things difficult down the road. Try to focus on developing healthy habits and eating properly.

Good luck! Oh, and please don't drink diet soda. It's not healthy, the caffeine and carbonation robs your body of nutrients and calcium, and it actually increases some people's appetite. Learn to drink water instead, but if you absolutely have to have something sweet, try drinking a 100% juice drink (no corn syrup, just fruit) or a sports drink. At least it would be giving you some nutrients!

I am 25 and I remember 15 clearly.  Small changes, small changes.  I'm about to make some assumptions so bear with me!!  You can do three things that will make a difference and are not big changes.

1) Most teenagers do not eat breakfast.  Eat breakfast.  Most teenagers who DO eat breakfast eat a pop tart or a honey bun or doughnut, which is barely worth the trouble of eating, nutritionally.  Eat OATMEAL, it is SO GOOD FOR YOU.  Eat quick-cooking, not instant, oatmeal, it is much much better I promise.  Fruit makes it a lot more palatable.  I like bananas in mine.

2) Cut out soda and drink a lot of water.  You will pee like a faucet but oddly, after the first few days that stops as your body releases its water stores.  It is ESPECIALLY good for your skin, in addition to being healthy.  I did this all through high school and my skin was the envy of every cheerleader.  Also, this way if you really NEED an energy kick then you have that option.  Most kids are so used to soda that it is just an empty dose of caffeine and sugar.

3) Get involved in some physical school activity.  I know, going to the gym is easier, but athletics at your level has so much to offer you even if you only participate casually.  It puts accountability on your exercise and exposes you to new people and offers you the intangible rewards of competition and success for your effort.  It pays you back what you put into it, double.

Other than that, you know what's good for you.  People hear that from the time they are born in today's society.  Get the chicken sandwich instead of the hamburger, the veggie pizza instead of the meat lovers, you don't need to be living off rabbit food to look great at your age.

Good luck and be safe above all else.  If you are concerned about how you feel or look it is ALWAYS a good idea to talk to your parents and pediatrician.

thanks for all the advice...

idif70, i doubt i'm a lot taller if grow at ALL! my sister is 10 and she has the same foot size as me...and my parents are no giants. no one in my family is really that big so i'm gunna have to get used to this kind of height probably.

to everyone, i'm not dieting as such just watching what i eat. coz i used to swim i would eat a lot of crap and when i stopped i still ate a lot of crap. i'm just eating healthier but being conscious of calories too. no harm, ey?