Hey guys. Before I start, I'd like to tell you a little about myself so you can answer appropriately. I'm a fifteen year-old guy of Iraqi/Austrian descent, born in Israel and currently living in Westchester, NY.
For as long as I can remember, I've been insecure about my body. I'm really skinny, and I have a bone structure like my dad: slim and athletic. I weigh about 85-90 pounds, but no, I'm not undernourished and I don't have an eating disorder. I eat healthily, but I just don't seem to be able to gain any weight.
I've always thought that as far as puberty goes, I'm a late bloomer. I got pubic hair about two years ago, I don't have any armpit, chest, or "happy trail" hair to speak of, and unlike a lot of my friends who have jungles on their legs, I have light forests. It may seem petty, but to me it's lack of a sign that I'm becoming a man, and I feel like I'm stuck in limbo between being man and child.
I have almost no facial hair; whatever I have is wispy and soft. This one is a biggie for me; my father and both my brothers could grow full-blown beards in two weeks if they wanted, I can barely get an invisible mustache going.
I work out, lifting weights and running under an exercise program prescribed by my gym teacher, and although I'm getting stronger, I always feel like I'm smaller and weaker than all my other friends.
There's another thing, too. Two weeks or so ago, I noticed that my fingertips were getting this kind of smooth, tough feeling to them. It's strange, I can't really describe it; it's like callouses but nowhere near as rough. That change in the skin has caused me to lose some sensitivity in my fingertips. Anyone else experiencing this? My mother said it was because I'm getting man's hands. I find this difficult to believe.
Thanks for listening.
For as long as I can remember, I've been insecure about my body. I'm really skinny, and I have a bone structure like my dad: slim and athletic. I weigh about 85-90 pounds, but no, I'm not undernourished and I don't have an eating disorder. I eat healthily, but I just don't seem to be able to gain any weight.
I've always thought that as far as puberty goes, I'm a late bloomer. I got pubic hair about two years ago, I don't have any armpit, chest, or "happy trail" hair to speak of, and unlike a lot of my friends who have jungles on their legs, I have light forests. It may seem petty, but to me it's lack of a sign that I'm becoming a man, and I feel like I'm stuck in limbo between being man and child.
I have almost no facial hair; whatever I have is wispy and soft. This one is a biggie for me; my father and both my brothers could grow full-blown beards in two weeks if they wanted, I can barely get an invisible mustache going.
I work out, lifting weights and running under an exercise program prescribed by my gym teacher, and although I'm getting stronger, I always feel like I'm smaller and weaker than all my other friends.
There's another thing, too. Two weeks or so ago, I noticed that my fingertips were getting this kind of smooth, tough feeling to them. It's strange, I can't really describe it; it's like callouses but nowhere near as rough. That change in the skin has caused me to lose some sensitivity in my fingertips. Anyone else experiencing this? My mother said it was because I'm getting man's hands. I find this difficult to believe.
Thanks for listening.