We're with you. Diets make you feel hungry and deprived, and you can wind up eating so little that your body doesn't get the nutrition it needs. Or you "diet" for a few days, and then get so ravenous that you overeat and end up feeling bad about yourself.

You say you want to lose weight, but are you sure you need to? Your first step is to talk to your doctor and see whether you're already within the healthy range of weight for your height. If you are, then trying to lose weight may not be safe and probably won't work, because your body will hold on to any little calorie it gets because it thinks it's being starved!

On the other hand, if your doc thinks losing a bit of weight would be better for your health, then see if she has any suggestions for how to proceed. She may have some great tips for you. You could also look into meeting with a registered dietitian who works with teens in your area. (Check out www.eatright.org to find one.) An RD could help you come up with fun ideas for foods that are healthy and nutritious and map out what your body will need on a daily basis for fuel, vitamins and minerals so you can lose weight safely, which, incidentally, means slowly. Any "diet" that says you can shed 10 pounds in 10 days isn't good for you, nor will it be something you can maintain over time.

You've done some reading, so you know having a variety of foods (fruits, vegetables, lean meats or other proteins, dairy and some fat, too) is important for a well-rounded diet as well as to keep you from being bored with what's on your plate. Exercise, which you're already doing, is another great way to keep your body looking and feeling good — it's important for all of us, whatever our weight is. It may not lead to lost pounds (as you probably know, muscle weighs more than fat), but it will lead to a toned and lean bod, better fitting clothes and enhanced mood and energy levels.

—Andrea Pyros