confidence

The crappy thing about ideal body types is that they are designed to be unreachable by 99.9% of the population: they're unrealistic. They're about satisfying one's conception of what is perfect; that's the very definition of ideal. Unfortunately, some ideals are also really common, especially once...

First things first - it sounds like your family needs to step back and let you make your own choices here, without adding their own commentary or judgment. They may be coming from a place of concern, but it's misguided and hurtful, and whether they wind up being right about this or not, it's still...

Some thoughts and tips on navigating sexuality as a fat teen, and dealing with sizeism and fatphobia.

(CMH's question continued) He likes petite girls, as do most guys. I am tall (for a woman) and big. I weigh over 200 pounds, though I carry it well. I do not have a pretty face, though I would not call it ugly. It is also not particularly interesting. He told me that even though I have a good...

First up, I think you ought to rent a movie called 'Real Women Have Curves.' It stars America Ferrera, and is about a fat girl who has to deal with all the usual teen stuff: family, boyfriend and going to college. I think you'd identify with it and probably learn something from it. At the least, it...

Whether or not you're going to believe me, I'll be plain with you anyway. Your lack of confidence and low self-esteem are ALWAYS going to be a WAY bigger impediment to "getting the attention," and more importantly, to having great relationships with romantic partners AND friends...and most...

Well, it might help to start by simply acknowledging - or reminding yourself -- that there is no one "best" or "right" body type. Clearly, you feel yours isn't -- and that's understandable in a world so messed up about looks -- but without external messages that something was wrong with your body...

This is not another diet guide. It will not show you how to lose ten pounds by Thanksgiving. It will not introduce you to a new set of "miracle ab crunches" or rave about the latest liposuction advances. And there will be no butt pads, silicone, or fat-free recipes to share.

Everything I needed to know about body image I learned in a bathroom in the seventh grade. Well, almost everything.