January 29th 2011

Dear Helpline,

Some boys at my school and grown men as well say things like, "you have a good body shape." But then I look at other girls and they have more curves and a lot more breasts than me. I always have this pressure that I won't get any boys or I'm too skinny. I am desperately trying to put on more weight. Eating K.F.C. and any other fast food I can find. I am desperate. Even my little 11 year-old sister has more body than me. Please help.

Too Thin

Dear Too Thin,

I am sure you have heard this all before but you have to stop worrying about what others think of your body. Here is something you may not know, most guys like girls of all different shapes and sizes (including yours), but one thing that guys generally don't like is girls who are constantly worrying that they don't measure up. That is an immediate turn off. Your body is just fine, but your insecurity might be driving people away.
You've got to start building up your self-confidence - not for the sake of your love life or social life, but because it'll make you feel better. Now don’t think it is an immediate process, because it won't happen overnight.

Now with you comparing yourself to other people. Come on T.T. stop it. That one needs to be done immediately. You've heard the expression, "the grass is always greener on the other side"? Well, the body is always better on the other side, too. How are you so sure the girls you are comparing yourself with are completely satisfied with the way the look? I am sure many of them would want to trade bodies with you. Learn to love what you've got, not obsess over what you can't change. So that fast food eating diet you are on, you need to stop it as well. You won’t get anything but clogged up arteries and a heart attack at a very young age.

Once you start thinking confidently about yourself, you'll be surprised at how many more people want to be around you. Not because you'll look any different, but because self-esteem is attractive.

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