Read archived articles written by Palo Alto Medical Foundation doctors.

Your Body is a Wonderful Thing -- Even in the Locker Room

By Elizabeth Lee, M.D.

School is now in full swing, which means you are probably enrolled in a PE class. I always dreaded PE, not just because of dodge ball, but because we had to change into our "PE clothes." This meant exposing my body to my classmates and letting them see my body was different. It seemed that everybody else was going through puberty before me.

Boy, was I wrong! It can be so hard to know how to feel about your body, especially when you are comparing it to others. You don't always understand the changes that are happening to you. The hardest part is that everyone your age is growing and developing at a different rate. No one person is sure what "normal" is. Kids who are more physically developed sometimes are uncomfortable with this and especially with the attention. The same goes for the kids who are not developing as fast as others. And then there are the kids in between.

Sometimes your peers will make comments like, "oh, your chest isn't very big" or "you're hairier than me." These comments can hurt your feelings because it seems like they are making fun of you. They may even sound like they are bragging. What they are really saying is, "I'm not completely comfortable with my own body." They are just as confused and scared about their own development as you are.

The truth is - all of this is normal and part of growing up. Going through puberty is hard for everyone, but we all get to the same endpoint eventually. We don't all look the same, but that is OK. Your body is your own. It is a precious, wonderful thing and it is you! Try to appreciate your body and the fact that it makes you special and unique. Focus your attention on making your body as healthy as you can. THAT would be something to brag about!
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