Today's Teens Are Great! by Dr. Robert Wallace on Creators.com

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Today's Teens Are Great!

DR. WALLACE: I was pleased to read the letter from Mike who wanted you to know that all teens are not into booze, drugs or violent activities. I, too, am one of the millions of teens out there who is part of the silent majority. I am a non-smoking, non-drinking, non-drug-taking adolescent. I care too much about myself to be "cool" and get "blitzed."

It's like my psychology teacher says: "You only get one body and you can't trade it in if you abuse it."

Every chance I get I thank God for not permitting me to stray off course. I know I'll be a better human being because of my lifestyle. — Bob, Gary, Ind.

BOB: From my travels around the United States and Canada, lecturing in high schools and talking with teens, I'm convinced that today's teens are intelligent, energetic, fun-loving and highly motivated human beings. Some of them are troubled and hurting, but most of them are just like you.

EXAGGERATE YOUR ARM SWINGS

DR. WALLACE: My parents and I are into a family exercise program that includes walking five times each week. All of us are overweight, so walking helps us two ways. It gives us great exercise and it burns calories. Please tell us how many calories we burn on a two-mile walk that takes about an hour. If we walk faster, will we burn more calories? How else can we burn calories while we walk? — Jody, Burlington, N.C.

JODY: A 160-pound person walking two miles in an hour burns approximately 240 calories. The Mayo Clinic Health Letter suggests that you can double the calories you burn by exaggerating your arm swings while holding 2-pound hand weights.

Any time you involve more muscles in an activity, you burn more calories.

The number of calories burned varies with walking speed and the height of your arm swings.

SHE HAS FEELINGS FOR MITCH, BUT STAY WITH ZACH

DR. WALLACE: Mitch and I were a happy compatible couple, but it all ended when his family moved to Toledo, Ohio, because his dad was transferred at his job. We stayed in touch, but it all ended when he started seeing a girl there. I was disappointed, but my disappointment ended when I started seeing Zach.

Last week, Mitch moved back to Benton Harbor because his father lost his job and his family is now living with his grandparents. He called me and wants us to become an "item" once again. When I told Mitch that I was seeing another guy, he told me to dump him.

I must admit that I have feelings for Mitch, but I also care a lot about Zach. What should I do? My dad told me to go back with Mitch. He always liked him because they both have a huge interest in racing cars. My mom thinks I should continue dating Zach. Help! — Ginger, Benton Harbor, Mich.

GINGER: Stay with Zach. But tell Mitch that if, down the road, both of you should find yourself unattached at the same time, then you might consider going out with him again.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. E-mail him at rwallace@galesburg.net. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.