[gettingsmaller]

I use to think that way. If I lost weight I would love myself more, but now that I am losing weight and getting closer to my goal I am finding other things such as my teeth are not white enough, my hair is to thin, my boobs are not big enough. I have come to the conclusion that it has nothing to do with apperance but self image. I am learning to love myself along the way but it has nothing to do with what size I am wearing.
Terrie

[Nikaia]

I guess I have a somewhat different perspective, since I've got depression. And the depression screws with my mind enough that, when I'm really down, I literally cannot see the good things about me. It's as if they don't exist.

I guess the most I can do is see the things my body is capable of, in addition to how it looks. I've known a great number of people with varying degrees of physical disability, and it gives you a new appreciation for how your own body works. I have both my legs and both my arms. They bend easily, like they're supposed to. I can breathe with relative ease, and my heartbeat is steady.

So I guess I just look at it like a laundry list - only this time, instead of looking at what I DON'T like - I've half-developed a double chin, I only have 2 prs of jeans I can wear without muffin-top issues, my thighs jiggle when I try to run - I look at what I DO like. My hands are beautiful. I love my eyes and my hair. I'm pleasingly leggy.

And another approach...if you're a religious or spiritual person, this might help. See yourself as a creation of Deity (however you see that as personified). A son or daughter of the Creator/Creatrix. You carry in that body the spark of divinity. You are, in your own way, Deity personified. That body you hate? It is what was given you by your God/dess. Quit being disparaging about a gift from Her/Him. It's rude.

Just my $.03.