Thin to fat and need thin again

Question
Hey Melissa I'm Cassie and I'm 15, weigh 10 and a half stone, and I am about five foot 2 (and I'm a girl).

You might not be able to help me that much because of my age, but i really need to lose some weight. I had an operation on my wrist in the Christmas holdidays and was off all sport for about two-three months after it. Now, after a short period of being on sport, I have busted my shoulder and am going for an X-Ray and an Ultrasoundm, which is nearly certainly going to result in another operation. In UK sizes, before all of this, I was a size 8-10. Now, I'm a 12, and a fat 10 in some shops. I'm really fed up with all of this because all of my friends are all dead skinny and have loads of attention from boys, and I'm getting really fed up with the weight that I'm putting on.

MOst Mondays nowadays I'm playing hockey, but I'm playing goalie which basically involves standing in the net with a load of kit on and kicking at the ball if it comes your way. Its not very energetic. Sometimes after that I have County Cricket training, but I'm getting so behind that I lose my breath really easily and I get left behind. On Wednesdays I do cricket traning and I seem to do fine then, but its not much exercise since we only really run about a bit when its our go after the other ten in front of you, and when you're batting you only move forwards and swing your arms to hit the ball.

On Sundays I play cricket matches (and yeah - I am hevaily dedicated to my cricket) and i don't really do much then. I get left behind in the wamr-ups, but I don't really do much during the match because its not exactly the most vibrant sport anyway. I really want to slim down because my Mum's really overweight and is on these special, extra-strength diet pills that were prescribed to her by the doctor, my brother's trying to lose weight because he is three years younger than me and two stone heavier, and my Mum's friend has just had an operation to make her lose weight - something like Gastric Band surgery. My Dad's kind of a fitness freak and always watches what he eats.

So basically - I'm sorry if I rambled on too much but I'd really like your help. Is there any food groups that I should avoid? Any that I should eat more of? I'm generally quite good with my fruit and beg, I eat most of them. Also - is there anything that I can do to improve my fitness levels, sportswise? I'm pretty taken timewise but I'm trying to convince my family to get a rowing machine or something. Any advice really would help at the moment, I can't really talk to my family about it because they all see me as the healthy one - little do they know how wrong they are now. Also - any good metabolism boosters?

Answer
Cassie,
First you have to be patient with yourself. If you are injured you are going to have to give yourself time to heal. Since your injuries are all of the upper body- that makes it alot easier.

First you want to get in as much walking as you can. Take the stairs when you can. Stand up instead of sitting down. Pace. Fidget. It may seem like nothing but all of these behaviors burn calories, and if you are short on time they will make a difference.

You know what to eat! More fruits and veggies, more lean protein, more complex, whole carbohydrates- less crisps, chips, and greasy take aways! Since your Dad is health conscious, maybe you can get him to help you with what is good.

The best, safest metabolism booster is green tea. You can safely drink about 4 cups a day ( with no sweetener!) but if you feel jittery cut back because the caffeine might be affecting you.  

Hope this helps,
Lela Simon

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