Am I too tall?

I am extremely tall for my age. I hate it because I'm the tallest person in my class. Is there any diet or natural way of not growing? Rachel

Dear Rachel

You have my sympathy. Like you, I was the tallest person in my class and very uncomfortable I was about it too. It doesn't help if people make daft remarks such as What's the weather like up there? and it can be difficult finding clothes that are long enough. It wasn't until my late teens that I became comfortable with being tall, and it helped to realise that I was the height I was supposed to be. Tall women carry their weight better. There are many other advantages, not least that height offers physical protection as well as the best view at concerts!

While there is no diet or exercise which can stop you growing, you might like to know that the average height of our population is increasing. Models have to be tall at least 5'10 though many are taller because clothes look better on taller women. Marks & Spencer and many other department stores and fashion outlets now make a great range of longer length clothes or you can go to shops like Long Tall Sally. There are plenty of women well over six feet tall and many of them are happily married. Love doesn't really care about height!

You may be tempted to wear only flat shoes or to walk with a slouch as though that would shrink you. While I wouldn't go for enormous spike heels, flatties aren't always flattering! A bit of a heel is OK. But I hope you walk with your shoulders back and your head up. Aim for elegance and confidence, which will also help ensure you don't have back trouble later. Someone once told me a line from a poem that made me feel much better about my height: Daughter of the gods, divinely tall and most divinely fair. This can help you stop worrying what other people might be thinking. They're almost certainly envying you your stature!

More important than physical appearance, though, is character. Your friends and family love you for who you are. I hope you can learn to do the same.

I wish you confidence, Rachel, and the best of luck.

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