It's easy to see that every face is different. Well, so is every body. Some are round and curvy. Others are long and angular. Still others are square-shaped. But the shape you ARE isn't the same thing as the shape you're IN!

Maybe you've heard that your body is a temple and you're the goddess. But if you're dragging around and your body won't do the things your mind wants it to, it could be a sign that your temple is in need of remodeling. Forget the hammer and nails! Exercise is the tool you need to shape up for this kind of fixer-upper. Whether you're jumping rope with the gang, helping carry groceries up the stairs, or walking home from school, you are exercising. back to top

What does being in shape mean?
Being in shape isn't about squeezing into the teeniest pair of jeans, eating nothing but celery and baby carrots at every meal, running the 100-yard dash in 10 seconds flat, or owning the dance floor. It isn't a contest. And it's not about scales, stopwatches, or those I-would-die-for-those-thighs girls on the covers of fashion magazines. Being in shape is being fit and happy with the skin you're in. back to top

Am I in shape?
To be in shape means doing activities that improve your fitness level. Your fitness level includes your cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition. To see if you're fit, test your fitness flair. back to top

What about dieting?
Dieting might get you into a new dress, but it won't help you make the dance team. It can't help you study for tomorrow's test. And it definitely won't get you in shape! Get moving and your body will be able to do whatever you put your mind to. And you'll improve your butt to boot! back to top

What's so good about being in shape?
Of course, regular exercise burns calories and tones up your muscles. But check out some of its other great benefits:

• Exercise feeds your brain! You'll whiz through exams because you'll have more energy and you'll sleep better.
• Exercise increases your basal metabolic rate. That keeps your body's motor running and burns calories, even when you're asleep!
• Exercise kicks butts! It burns tons more calories than smoking and leaves your lungs pink and shiny.
• Exercise silences grumbling bellies! It's a physiological fact that exercise slows down your munchie-meter so you don't feel as hungry. back to top