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Question:
I am a 5'5", 18 year old male who is obsessed with growth. Everywhere I go, everybody I see is taller than me. I'll do anything to gain 1 or 2 inches on my height. My height is a problem in every respect. In every sport I play I have to struggle because of my height. For instance, one of my goals is to play university football. I have the skill but I get shut down because of my height. For making the all star team for our province, the coach told me I wasn't chosen because of my height. Also, a lot of girls are taller than me as well, and this gets me frustrated. And yes 1 or 2 inches does make a difference in sports. Isn't there anything I can do to gain 1 or 2 inches on my height?
When I was 15 I lifted heavy weight with my legs because I had tendinitis in my knees. I believe this has stunted my growth and scarred me for the rest of my life. Also my dad is 5'4" and my mom is 5'3". When I started lifting weights I noticed that I stopped growing.
I read somewhere that when astronauts were in space they gained 1 or 2 inches on the height because of the lack of gravity pulling down on them. Their spine straightened and lengthened as a result, giving them a couple inches on their height. Does this mean hanging upside down will produced the same effect? If so how long would I have to do this? Once I stop will I shrink back to my normal height? Is it too late for me to use growth hormone treatment?
I would be very grateful if you are able to provide me with some advice. I am desperate and I am willing to do what ever it takes to gain these few inches on my height. Please help. Thank you for your time.
TTT Sorry to say so, but, most likely, nothing you have
done so far has stunted your growth. It’s just all natural you, which isn’t a bad thing. Seeing as
how your parents are of relatively the same stature as you currently are, your height is hereditary
or genetic.
TTT I am the opposite of you. I often wish that I was
shorter. Everywhere I go, people are shorter than me. Due to my height, I have a whole host of
medical probs, such as bad next and back. Not to mention the problems I encounter because the
world isn’t built for people my size (getting pants that fit, for example). People everywhere are
always wishing they were what they are not. Human nature. You have to learn to live and love
what and how you are, no matter how hard that may seem at this point in your life.
TTT Now, as to football and other sports, the coach or
decision makers, that did not choice you because of your height, are all ASSES! Besides being
discrimination, it’s just an example of short-sighted stupidity. In the land of giant NBA basketball
players, there is a 5'7" all-star, so what the hell do they know. True, you will have to work harder
than any one else to make the cut, but perseverance can pay off. Be sure that’s what you really
want.
TTT Here’s something else to keep in mind: because of
your stature, it is easier for you to gain the muscle mass and definition than those people with
gangly long appendages. Less work, more bulk. When I was younger I had to have surgery on my
knee (due to my height, again) so, during recovery, I started lifting weights. The teenager that
taught me how to lift properly was 5'3" and was built like a brick shit house. He had been junior
weight lifting champion two years running. I’m not saying you should go straight out there and
become like him, but there are benefits.
TTT Now, when it comes to treatments or body altering
drugs for what you perceive as a problem, I have to say don’t bother. The astronauts gain two
inches because they are weightless, no compression on their spinal column. Hanging upside down
does the opposite and is plain old wrong. Your body wasn’t made to take that kind of stress and
will rebel. You will probably end up losing height due to your compressed spine. Don’t do it!
TTT Growth hormone is also a no-no. It is only used for
extreme cases where the pituitary gland shuts down, which isn’t the case with you. And you don’t
want to know what they are made of, either. All the so called “growth enhancers” are nothing
more than snake oil, junk, and can be particularly dangerous and harmful to your system.
TTT You say that some of the girls are taller than you,
well, a lot of them aren’t. If the taller ones snub you, you deserve better than that. Height in this
world means very little when you get right down to it. What you are and what you do in life is
what really matters. Screw the rest and enjoy life.
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