What we see in the mirror isn't always what others see!

by Carol
(NY)

I have always been self-conscious about my body. I didn't have the slim body many girls had as teens. I was athletic and had muscles (inherited from my father). Instead of seeing this as an advantage I saw it as fat and ugly.

So from an early age I dieted and gained it back and dieted and gained it back. Each time gaining more and more. I look back at those days and my actual weight then and wonder why I allowed myself to get on the diet roller coaster and why I couldn't accept myself. I thought my body was the reason I didn't fit in or feel attractive.

Now I know it was because I lacked many of the skills it took to get what I wanted and needed. I was shy and self-conscious. I didn't like me. Now I may still be overweight; however I am trying to accept me as I am and move forward. What I saw in the mirror was not what others necessarily saw. Sometimes the mirror lies.