ASK A TEEN or ASK AN EXPERT

ASK A TEEN

Want to give your own advice, or pose a question for others to answer? Send it to us and it might get added to this page!

A TEEN ASKS:
I'd like to get involved in a sport, but I've never been very athletic. I'm always one of the last people to be picked for teams, and no one wants to let me have the ball. Do you think I should even bother?

Sure! If you enjoy it, stick to it. If anybody gets on your case, get on theirs! If you feel too self-conscious to go on, then find a non-team sport. Those are fun too!
--Alexandra, 17, New York, NY

Well, if you like sports, then not being a great athlete shouldn't stop you from being active and participating in sports. So, I think that you should still participate, because it doesn't matter if your not the best on your team, just try your hardest!
--Camila, 15, Miami, FL

If you really feel strongly about being active in sports, go right ahead! You won't get any better by just sitting there. The most important aspect of playing sports isn't how good you are, it's the physical activity and interaction with other people.
--Jonathan, 14, Northport, NY

Maybe you should get involved in intramural athletics, where it's not so competitive.
--Becky, 16, Kansas City, MS

Of course! Pick a sport that you love and do it because you want to have fun and be part of a team-not just because you want to be the best. Cheering on teammates and supporting a team can be almost as much fun as playing, and keep practicing with a friend, too!
--Katie, 17, St. Petersburg, FL

ASK AN EXPERT

A TEEN ASKS:
I'm not into team sports but would really like to exercise regularly with something solo, like running. How can I get motivated and stick with it?

Nicky Kramm, science teacher who started a Running Club at her high school, responds:

You don't have to start out running. You can walk to start out. You shouldn't pick something outrageous. You shouldn't go out and tell yourself, 'I'm going to run a mile today.' Because I didn't even start that way. Exercise, I think, is a positive way to cope with problems that people have in their lives. It's not about how fast you run or how far. It's about building up to a goal, setting a goal for yourself and then making a plan, cause that's really going to make you stick with it.