The Growth Spurt

Nope, not you imagination. Your bones are growing super-fast. Get this—during the totally span of adolescence, the average person grows a full foot. Weight typically increases 20 to 30 pounds, about 10 pounds a year.

In a world where models look too frail to stand up straight, it’s not surprising girls often freak at putting on so much weight so quickly. Gaining inches and pounds is normal, and the last thing you want to do is try to stop it.

Besides going up a dress size, the cuff of your favorite jeans may suddenly hit your ankles instead of your shoelaces. And it may seem odd to peer down at the top of your mom’s perm as she yells at you for not emptying the dishwasher. Your legs may even ache as your bones and muscles stretch.

Trust us—most of you will not keep growing until the WNBA comes calling. We promise your spurt will sputter out, most likely around the time you get your period. If boys taunt you about your height, it’s because they would kill to be in your shoes instead of feeling like short-stuff in their own. For now, you and your crush may not see eye to eye when slow-dancing, but he should sprout about two years after you do.

If your nickname is “Giraffe,” be proud. Wear flats if you want to, but don’t think you need to avoid heels or boots. Walk with your chin up and shoulders back.

Have the opposite problem? Nothing like having the whole sophomore class patting you on the head. Hello, you’re not a tot. Shorter girls tell us it’s easier to be taken seriously when you use a strong voice and project confidence (no shuffling down the hall and speaking to your shoes). And while baby barrettes and cutesy clothes look adorable on you li’l sis, those styles will just make you look like an extra on Sesame Street.

There’s no height requirement for being taken seriously. You just may need to subtly remind folks that your size may be small, but your brains, talent and abilities are not.

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5/3/2009 10:00:00 AM
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