My parents tell me I look fine.. but they have to, I'm their daughter. I think I'm too skinny, because I look so frail and like I'm going to break in half in any second. My parents also said that swimming will make me look better if I'm not happy with my weight. I don't want to look as skinny as I do.. but I have a really fast metabolism (sp?) so eating a lot won't help. Someone once told me to ask my doctor about going on a protein diet.. but my mom doesn't want me to ask the doctor about it. So.. will swimming really make me look better?

swimming won't hurt, and it's excellent conditioning. Resistance (weight lifting) training is generally considered the best way to increase lean muscle mass.

The problem is that lean muscle tissue will still be greatly limited by your own biology. Supplements like creatine and "andro" help but are a really bad idea for females.

Your best bet is to stay as fit as possible, doing either swimming, weightlifting, or both, and make sure you are eating enough protien, and calcium. Your "skinniness" will diminish over time.

my husband has the same problem. he could sit on his bum for a month eating nothing but mcdonalds and fritos and not gain a pound. he used to me really really skinny, almost anorexic looking, but then he started karate. it helped tone his muscles and build some bulk. maybe this is an option for you too?

also, if you dont mind tellig us, how old are you? my husband is now 24, and didnt start looking not quite so guant when he was 19. it only took about a year of karate to become one of the sexiest guys out there (but of course im biased on that fact).

lol, I'm 13. I know I know, you're going to say that in time i'll gain weight, but that's not how it works with our family genes. If you're skinny (which all the women are.. except for one..) you're going to stay that skinny until you've had 2 kids.. and then they get fat. Lol... so I was asking if there's a way out of that.

lol ya theres not a lot you can do to beat genes, but do try the wieght training or karate. you might still be skinny but at leaset you'll be toned, not just scrawny

Fitness can increase muscle tone..

As said earlier, karate or other concentrated training (knowing self defense is certainly a benefit)

Swimming can help.. with your build if you are good at swimming you may be able to compete with it.

And, I think that you can insist on speaking to your doctor.. after all you have that right...

Also, look in that "Support thread".. I provided some recipes for weight gaining.. protein shakes, etc. Use them along with meals not instead of meals (they make great snacks.. and sammy has given her seal of approval for the taste).

You should be counting your blessings that being too skinny is what you have to worry about!
But seriously, I can understand how you might be unhappy. Martial arts classes, swimming, biking, those are all ways to tone your body. Exercise is always good.
Also, there is no reason why you shouldn't talk to your doctor about a diet that might put some meat on your bones. It's not healthy to be too skinny and your doctor could recommend some foods to bulk you up a bit. Just don't over-do it!

I don't think that you need extra excersise. Maybe playing some sports, adding a few snacks during the day so that you aren't burning those necessary calories could help maintain yourself being healthy. If you are healthy and fit you shouldn't have any concerns. As you go through the last of your puberty years you will add weight in places YOU DON'T WANT- believe me!

During high school I wore a size 3 comfortable but could fit in a 1 with no problem. at 17 I didn't weigh enough to donate blood (114lbs was the minimum). After my 19th birthday I was married and no longer was as "busy" as before and got up to a size 5 and around 125lbs. The years to come have there own way of preparing your body for later child birth. Your metabolism will slow down. Be patient- things will work out.