Do I Need to Gain Weight?

Currently 5'4", 102-104 pounds (I fluctuate- a lot) and 15 years old. I'm pretty much lightly active; most of my exercise is from my gym class (can't wait for next year when I can just do a sport instead of Physical Ed!) but I horseback ride a lot, too. I've been lately around 1500 calories a day and maintaining. Some days I'm under, but never over.

 My chest got smaller, and it hurts to sit on my butt anymore (the bones get sore). I also lost my period, but I'm not sure if it's because I just got my Gardasil shots if if it's because I lost too much weight. Btw, this last summer I lost about 10 pounds from eating way better and doing a lot of exercise. I asked my doctor about it, and he said I didn't have an eating disorder and Gardasil does delay some people's periods a few months...

Should I start trying to gain weight? I'm in way better physical shape then I was last year, but my mom keeps saying I'm too thin now.

Yes, I would highly suggest gaining the 10 lbs. back that you initially lost. Unless overweight, it's dangerous for anyone to lose weight during puberty. 1500 calories a day isn't nearly enough to sustain someone even "lightly active" (although, you sound more moderate-extremly active), 1500 is more like maintaining for someone lying in bed all day. It's a starvation diet.

 

Obviously, your body is sending signals that it's not comfortable. You may feel like you're in better shape when in reality, your organs could be staerting to suffer from the uneeded weight loss. I would also suggest seeing someone to discuss why you tried to lsse weight in the first place.

 

Try and start eating 2000 calories for a week, and then 2500. Don't weigh yourself more than once a week! Gain the weight though... living life with a sore bottom can't be any fun, I know from personal expirience ;) Best of luck!

i wouldn't try to gain weight back. but i would definately eat about 2000 calories a day. your weight is perfectly normal, because for your height that is normal. when i was that height i was also that weight. i suggest not trying to lose or gain weight, simply eat healthfully. 2500 calories would be pushing it though. i would say about 2300, but this would all depend on how active you are. there are websites that can tell you how many calories a day you NEED, based on your height weight and excersize habits.

about losing your period, during the teenage years that is perfectly normal. i am a teenage girl too, and there have been several random times when i lost my period, for even several months at a time. although you may think so,there is NO possible way to jsut make your period go away after you have it, atleast without some kind of sugery. your chest is expected to get smaller when you lose weight, it happens to us all. but considering you are in puberty right now, that isnt a good thing.

honestly, i think that you should talk to your doctor further about your weight. the main thing is what you think. if you arent comfortable at the weight you are at, then by all means try to gain some weight. DO NOT continue on your diet, and definately begin consuming more calories. i cannot tell you how important it is that you dont try to lose more weight, because diets during puberty arent very healthy. i am being kind of a hypocrite considering i am in puberty too, but i am only hoping to be healthy and maintain a healthy weight. really, the point of being healthy is to FEEL GOOD. if you don't feel good, then your diet isn't healthy.

my advice, eat 2000 calories a day, and eat healthy. see how things go. if you are still underweight by alot, definately talk to your doctor, or go to a specialist.

 

good luck :)

wouldyouliketosupersizeme-please do not listen to the above post, i actually only read the fisrst few lines to be honeslt but that was enough, you arae not at a healthy weight for your height, use the above tools to figure out your healthy bmi range, i belive the lwoest you should be to be healthy is about 113, thats the lowest.  yes, you should be eating more and as you said yourself, youre not happy with the way things are.  please try and eat some more and gain a bit of weight, i promise youll feel tons better!

good luck

Ok, today I'm topping out at around 2100 calories (didn't bother to count exactly after 1700) and I'm hoping it'll jolt my metabolism a little bit for tomorrow. I'm going to up my calorie count to around 1800 and maybe I'll maintain or gain a little bit. I think 105-110 pounds would be really great in the end.

Does that sound ok? I really do need the advice here; and at my next doctor's checkup  (October) I'll confirm whatever you guys offer me!

The normal healthy weight range is between a BMI of 20 and 25.  117lbs+ would take you to BMI 20.  Below BMI 19 and that's when you can start getting problems with your health, skipped periods, etc.  (Incidentally, it's a sign of poor health for a teenage girl to miss periods on a regular basis)  As a teenager you're still growing and developing both physically and mentally  Your parents' height is a good indicator of how tall you're likely to get.  Listen to your mother as she sounds very sensible.

2100 isn't a bad start but, since you are very active with the horse-riding, 2500+ wouldn't be unreasonable.  Rather than relying on calorie-counting, however, if you are hungry then eat more.  And don't confuse healthy food with low-calorie food.  Energy-dense choices such as full-fat dairy products, nuts, seeds, oily fish and red meats are are very valuable in a healthy diet.

if your uncomfortable with gaining weight you might need to rethink if you are being honest with yourself or with your doctor about wheather you have an ed,  to say that you never go over 15000 was a sign as well as that you cannot sit cause your butt hurts,  all happened to me during my ed and i did the guardasil as well it does not effect periods.  just try harder,  its hard i know i only want to eat like 1300 today i have it all planned out but i know i should eat more they tell me to eat more. i am just not stron enough today, maybe to morrow will be diffrent

1500 is WAY WAY too low for a 15 year old girl. You should be getting more like 2500 (with the right kinds of foods, not just calorie-dense junk!).

 

Growing and going through puberty takes A LOT of calories!