Fitting in isn't everything!

Body image and self-esteem is not an easy subject to write about. We see all the images on TV, music videos and in magazines on a daily basis of what the "ideal" woman should look like. Who doesn't struggle with body image? As teens and as adults we both are constantly comparing ourselves to the images we see. I know I hear myself saying, I want my body to look like that. Truth is, if we had the money for makeup artist and photo-shopped our photos, we would look like that too.

Body image insecurities are starting to creep in as young as 9 yrs old. Girls especially are looking to fit in and the the one all the boys like, wanting to be the "pretty girl", the "popular girl". Many of them think, if I was thinner more people will like me and I can have a boyfriend. High school tends to be the "big" adjustment for many of these type of teens.

Girls tend to fall into a pattern their freshmen year that all the other girls have "perfect hair" and "perfect bodies" and they all date the "pretty boys" of the school. Admit it girls, we all had those thoughts too in high school. They want to be those girls and many will do whatever it takes to do so. This is when things start to spiral out of control. They become obsessed with food and counting calories to the extent of eating disorders. How many of us know a teen who has done this, just to fit in? How did it turn out? Most likely it killed their social life. It surely didn't turn out how they anticipated it would. They ended up looking too thin and sick and surely didn't have the energy to entertain a social life. That is what eating too little will do to you.

Here is the lesson to learn! It's NOT about fitting in but staying true to yourself. There is ALWAYS going to be people in life who look better than you and have more than you. That's just life! You can't change it. So don't waste your high school years worrying about how to become one of those "perfect" people but instead have fun, make memories and be silly. You can't relive those times once they are gone. Celebrate not being perfect and celebrate the things that make you unique.

Have a great Thursday :-)

Help fight teen obesity

Nowadays teenagers are constantly bombarded with unhealthy food choices and high calorie temptations that make gaining weight easy- candy, pizza, chips, soda. This all adds up to a vicious cycle of poor choices which leads to low self-esteem. Eating healthy doesn't mean that you have to give up your sweets totally, but knowing what you're eating and what's in your food can help you make better, healthier choices.

There are many apps for smartphones that make it easier to count calories and make healthier choices. MyFitnessPal is one that is excellent. It's free to use plus you can scan bar-codes from your food. It also has a fast food and exercise entry.

 Here at BodiWorxx, our mission is to help teens fight obesity and get healthy. Having an app on your phone helps you to keep track of how many calories that you are consuming. We want to help our teens make healthy choices while they are out or at home. 

 BodiWorxx is beginning to work with the schools to create and send out health blogs, videos to our active users. Our passion and devotion is to help fight teen obesity and to educate adolescents about nutrition and healthy eating and exercise. 

 Let's start taking action now. Teen obesity should end here and now. It's time to teach healthy behaviors and nutrition information to adolescents so they can spread their knowledge to future generations. 

 The more we know as consumers, the easier it will be to make healthier choices that nourish our bodies and improve our well-being.

 Now go make a difference today :)