Yup, thas pretty much like what i eat everyday. And thats pretty much my concept of nutrition as well - vegetables + exercise = goooood, french fries + ice cream = baaad

Anyhoo, so far it has been a horrible day. Usually i have a boxing class today at 12, but my dad was working and my mom decides that she doesnt want to drive me to the class.
On top of that, the acne medicine, Adoxa, im supposed to be taking to clear up the last of reamains of my acne, is making me sick. Headaches, stomaches(or however you spell that) and just feeling wiped out.
So then, here goes Saturday.

Breakfast - 10am (Sat. my sleep in day) 2 cups Soy Essence cereal w/ 1 cup soy milk + 1 banana (425 calories, dern bananers)
Snack - 12:30pm - 1 apple (70 calories)
-After this is tried to run on the treadmill to make up for the missed boxing class. i did .7 miles, 90 calories and felt like i was gonna die. Usually i can do at least 3 miles before im tired.
Lunch - 1:30pm - 1 cup brown rice + 1/2 cup homemade chili, 1/4 cup fat-free cheese (350 calories)
Snack - 4pm - 5 toasted's wheat crackers (80 calories)
Dinner - 6pm - 1 grilled fish fillet w/ 1/2 cup fat-free cottage cheese (190 calories)
Snack - 9:30pm - 5 toasted's wheat crackers (80 calories)
Daily 200 sit-ups.

Okay, I don't have to be a nutrition expert to tell you that your diet is not the problem. It is a possibility that since you're so young, your body is somehow compensating for your diet and slowing your metabolism. Bodies, especially young ones, do all sorts of interesting stuff thanks to evolution and the impetus to survive. Maybe that could be it, maybe your body thinks you're starving.

I'm interested to pursue this acne medication angle. Is weight gain one of the possible side effects? If so, your weight loss efforts and the meds could be canceling each other out in terms of your weight. Even if weight loss is not one of the listed side effects, as I said before bodies are interesting things and your lack of weight loss could still be somehow related to the medicine.

Here's what I'd do. Go and see the doctor who prescribed you the acne medication, or if it was just a dermatologist who did that, go and see your regular doctor. Tell him the deal, maybe he'll have some ideas about what's going on. Your diet is good, you're getting exercise (usually), I am stumped. Since nobody else seems to be weighing in on this, that's the best I can tell you! I certainly care about this, though, I think the reason I'm so interested in your journey and helping if I can is because I so strongly wish I had done something about my weight at your age. I am really proud of your determination. You're a cut above most 13 year olds in that department!

Eek! i never did get that whole "you must eat 1200 calories a day or your body will go into starvation mode" thing. i dont really get it - ive eaten around 1000 calories a couple days in a row before, but ive spread the food out around teh day and i didnt feel like i was hungry at all - is my body still in starvation mode if i dont actually feel hungry??

As for the acne medicine, i looked at the side effects and weight gain isnt one of them. Weight loss due to vomiting is though lol. I got a doctors appointment tomorrow for the medicine situation so, ill find out whats up with that.

I think im gonna start a diary, too. You've been a great help (expecially with the diet soda info, whew ) and im gonna see if some other people may have some tips. And you definatly seem cool, not like some adults so id still love to talk to you. Your a big motivation for me not to drink soda and to stick with my diet, Alex!! Thank you!!

Blah, don't call me an adult! I'm only 25! heh. Just kidding, I guess I am an adult, which is pretty scary.

The "starvation mode" thing is real. It's not super complicated, it just means that when you're eating too little for your body to have the basic minimum calories and nutrients it needs, it compensates by slowing your metabolism way down. Some links: Dieting and Metabolism, How Low Can You Go?

I am not saying that's what's happening with you -- in fact I really have no idea. I was just tossing it out there.

Good that you've got a doc's appointment... don't forget to post in here about what he says, if anything. Ok? If he's a regular doctor, meaning he's a general practitioner and not a specialist, he's probably a good person to ask nutrition advice from anyway.

You are an inspiration to me, too... whenever I'm tempted to get a soda, I think of you and I don't get the soda!

lol 25 aint that old. Your still young!!!

Well, i read those metablolism links and im rarely going below 1000-1200, and im assuming ive got a fair amount of muscle due to working out consistantly for the past year. I think it really may be the meds im taking. Either that or im just not seeing anything happen because im not weighing myself - ive been going on how i look and fit into stuff for the past couple weeks.

The dermatologist i went to see today just told me to take half the pill in the morning and the other half at night. I dont really see how that would help with anything but i guess doctor knows best.

Happy that im an inspiration to you as well!!

If you want to build muscle you should look more at how much protein and carbs youre getting and how many calories.

You can't under eat if you want muscle. And you also need protein and carbs..yes you NEED carbs. Carbs give your muscles the energy it needs to keep building.

When you work your muscles, they almost..tear, and the protein helps build that muscle back up, thus giving you leaner muscle in turn, increasing your metabolism..in turn burning fat..yay!

I would suggest incorporating a supplement into your diet to use after working out. I've decided to start doing that myself. And eating more meat.

If you want more info check out Bodybuilding.com Forums - Bodybuilding And Fitness Board

I'm sure you don't wanna be a body builder, but they also have a lot of great tips everyone can use.

Good luck!

Thanks for link Colbs. I do know how many calories im eating a day, not sure about the carbs or protein tho, ill have to check that because even though ive got good muscles right now for my age (at least i think theyre pretty good for a 13 yrd old girl) i would like to get them more toned and noticable, though today in gym class one of my friends asked me how i got that long indent running down my stomach. Im hoping she was talking about the muscles in my stomach you can see a little bit lol.

Anyway, what kind of supplement do you take Colbs? i was looking at a BCAA supplement but im not sure my parents would like that lol.

supplements are usually fine, just make sure you dont get a weight gainer. I just take a protein powder supplement, i forget what its called tho..sorry.

You usually have a protein shake (i HIGHLY recommend chocolate flavoured..HIGHLY and mixing it with milk) before or after working out so it helps repair your muscles. Either or is fine. I haven't tried protein bars yet tho but i've heard certain brands taste alright.

Also eating lots of meat helps too, steak, chicken breast, tuna, eggs and if you like cottage cheese, it has 15g of protein in 1/2 a cup and 110 calories, eating that after working out will help alot if your parents won't let you try supplements.

Hope this helps a bit more.