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    My Body's Superpower: The Girls' Guide to Growing Up Healthy
    My Body's Superpower: The Girls' Guide to Growing Up Healthy
    My Body's Superpower: The Girls' Guide to Growing Up Healthy
    Ebook192 pages1 hour

    My Body's Superpower: The Girls' Guide to Growing Up Healthy

    By Maryann Jacobsen

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    About this ebook

    Body dissatisfaction skyrockets during puberty, putting a girl's physical and emotional health at risk. Now there's a book that helps girls see body changes as "superpowers," leading them to a healthy and satisfying life.

    In this first-of-its-kind book, family nutrition expert Maryann Jacobsen empowers adolescent girls to see their body in a positive light. Utilizing a fun and relevant Superpower theme, girls learn what is happening inside the body (Super Knowledge), how to decode and respond to body signals (Body Talk), and "time travel" when making decisions. The book introduces 9 superpowers based on the research of puberty, nutritional needs, emotional health, sleep, physical activity, intuitive/mindful eating, motivation, media literacy, and body image.

    The book teaches girls to:

    -Understand physical changes during puberty and giving the body what it needs -- food, sleep, and activity -- to thrive.

    -Decode the inner world of feelings, choose the best super friends, and take time to discover more about yourself and what excites you.

    -Learn how to critically think about media messages and reduce pressure in both the "virtual" and "real" worlds.

    My Body's Superpower helps build a foundation for lifelong health during a critical time of development. Meant to guide parents and educate girls (and bring them together), it's destined to be a classic every girl reads growing up.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMaryann Jacobsen
    Release dateJul 10, 2019
    ISBN9781386434627
    My Body's Superpower: The Girls' Guide to Growing Up Healthy

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      Book preview

      My Body's Superpower - Maryann Jacobsen

      My Body’s Superpower

      Copyright © 2019 Maryann Jacobsen

      All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

      This book is not intended as a substitute for medical advice of physicians or any health professional. The reader or guardian should regularly consult a health professional (physician, mental health professional, dietitian) in matters relating to his/her daughter’s health and particularly with respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. The advice and strategies in this book are used for education and may not be suitable for every situation. Although the author and publisher have made every effort to ensure that the information in this book was correct at press time, the author and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause.

      Cover Illustration by Hannah Patrico

      Cover design and interior illustrations by Jeanine Henning, JH Illustrations

      Book design by Maureen Cutajar, www.gopublished.com

      Editing by Arnetta Jackson

      Published by Jacobsen Publishing

      MaryannJacobsen.com

      For Anna.

      You’ve helped me discover superpowers I never knew I had.

      Especially in the love department.

      CONTENTS

      Introduction: From Secret Powers to Superpowers

      Part 1: Physical Powers

      Chapter 1: X-ray Vision

      Chapter 2: Appetite Signals

      Chapter 3: Super Functioning

      Chapter 4: Super Focus

      Part 2: Emotional Powers

      Chapter 5: Internal Compass

      Chapter 6: Super Friends

      Chapter 7: Super You!

      Part 3: Outside Powers

      Chapter 8: Critical Thinking

      Chapter 9: The Pressure Reducer

      Conclusion: 9 Superpowers for the Adolescent Growth Spurt

      Food, Recipe and Meal-Making Ideas

      Glossary of Terms

      Resources and References

      Acknowledgments

      About the Author

      Introduction

      From Secret Powers to Superpowers

      Imagine if superheroes like Supergirl or Wonder Woman never discovered their powers. Think how different the world would be. All those people wouldn’t be saved and the bad guys would have won. And the superheroes themselves would be unhappy, feeling like something was missing in their lives.

      Although superheroes aren’t real, their stories tell an important truth you are about to discover. As you go through puberty and your body changes, you gain many superpowers. But unlike superheroes, your body’s amazing abilities are less noticeable and often stay secret.

      That’s how it was for me growing up. I had no idea of my body’s superpowers. It wasn’t until I graduated high school that I became aware of a couple of them. But it took many years to discover–and use–them all. Too long, I say. But that’s why I’ve written this book. I want things to be different for you, and every girl out there.

      Change Is Coming

      I am a registered dietitian, mom, and author. I’ve written several books for parents about raising healthy children, but I decided it was now time to write for younger generations. That’s because as you approach and get into double digits (10 and beyond!), you need to learn how to take care of your body. This stage of development is considered early adolescence and it signals a great amount of change coming.

      Adolescence is the time period between puberty and adulthood. Early adolescence (10-14) is important for learning about your body because this is when the changes of puberty start. Figure things out now, and it will help you not just for the rest of adolescence, but for the rest of your life!

      You may be thinking, I already know about healthy choices. But just knowing what to do does not make a person healthy. It’s better to get to know your amazing body because it holds all the answers. That’s why this book focuses on three steps to using and enjoying all of your body’s superpowers. Let’s take a look.

      Step #1: Super Knowledge

      The first step is learning about all the changes going on inside you. Without this information, you may assume that something is wrong or even be scared. But I promise you, there is a reason for each and every change you experience. Without this knowledge your powers stay hidden and you are unable to fully use them. That’s why I call it Super Knowledge–it gives your mind all the information it needs to open up to your Superpowers.

      There are other books that talk about menstruating, hygiene, and how sex organs like your breasts change. This is not that kind of book. The purpose of this book is to help you understand your changing body so you can learn to take care of it. Only then can you master its superpowers and use them for a force for good in your life.

      Step #2: Body Talk

      After learning what’s going on inside your body, you’ll discover how your body talks to you. Learning its language is key to mastering each and every superpower. Whether it’s your Appetite Signals, Internal Compass, or Super Functioning, listening closely is key. Unfortunately, many girls don’t know how to listen to their body, so they miss these signals. But not anymore!

      Like any first-rate superhero, you’ll want to stick with the superpowers you have. I mean The Flash would probably love to fly like Supergirl, but that’s not his superpower. He could work day and night trying to fly and make no progress–and end up feeling awful about himself. He’d be better off mastering his own superpowers–like moving at lightning speed!

      One example of this is when puberty starts. You don’t have the power to change that because it’s mostly determined by your genes. You can work to speed up or slow down puberty but all it will do is frustrate you. By sticking to your superpower of X-ray Vision (being able to clearly see why things are the way they are), you will be happier and healthier.

      Step #3: Time Travel

      If you are like most young people, you think about how you feel right now. And that can tempt you to go against your superpowers. This is where your power of Time Travel comes in. When making a decision, imagine yourself in the future and how you will feel then as a result of your decision. This can even be a few days ahead. So if you have homework over the weekend, imagine how you’ll feel Sunday night if you decide to wait to do it then, rather than doing it now. It won’t feel so hot then to have to skip family game night.

      When you learn about and master your superpowers, your future self–which eventually catches up with you–is always better off. But it's not always easy to see that right now. Like any skill, mastering Time Travel takes time and practice.

      Together, Super Knowledge, Body Talk, and Time Travel help you make Super Decisions. Check in with these three and you’ll easily master your body’s superpowers. This book will show you how!

      The Superpower Formula

      The Three Types of Superpowers

      This first part of the book focuses on your body’s physical powers: how your body changes during puberty and what you can give it so it thrives. The second part focuses on your emotional powers, those sticky feelings, friendships, and how you feel about the type of person you are becoming. Last is your outside powers and how to use them with the pressures of both the virtual and real worlds.

      You will be introduced to a total of nine of your body’s superpowers which deliver super health, allowing you to live an amazing and full life. I call this My Body’s Superpower because together these superpowers make up a miraculous force of health and happiness. Leave one out, and your body’s superpower isn’t as strong.

      Physical Powers

      + Emotional Powers

      + Outside Powers

      = My Body’s Superpower

      Each chapter ends with Super Decisions, stories that show how girls use their newfound knowledge, body communication, and Time Travel in different situations. Some of these are true stories but most of them are fictional examples. If you want to practice on your own, there’s a journal that goes along with this book (or you can just use any journal to write in). And remember, mistakes are how you learn. All superheroes make mistakes and learn from them!

      Oh, and one more thing. Almost every time you see a word italicized, it means it’s included in the glossary at the back of the book with its meaning. You’ve got a lot of learning to do!

      Start Discovering Your Body’s Superpowers

      Consider reading this book along with a trusted adult like your mom, aunt, grandmother, or family friend. Ask them how they felt during puberty, share your own worries, and you’ll both learn a lot from each other. After all, every woman you know has gone through puberty and has wisdom to share. But if you don’t feel comfortable doing this, that’s okay too.

      I hope you are ready to learn just how amazing your body is. Let’s get started with the timing and physical changes that occur during puberty.

      Consider yourself a Superhero in training!

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