At least your parents don't say you're on the Michael Phelps diet. I need to eat to run! And run to eat... I also wanted to add that only skinny skinny girls think they're fat. I like to tell them that it's unnatural and disgusting to be that small. And talk about impractical--how much money would you save on cold weather clothing if you put something inbetween your skin and bones. And it would help protect said bones if you fall! I could go on forever haha

okay, i know this was written nearly four years ago, and you've probably forgotten all about it, but i just really needed to thank you for writing this. because no matter how much i wish otherwise, i'm one of those girls who's so self-conscious about her looks and her friends probably hate her for complaining about it. and idk, this just really resounded in me and it's making me think that maybe i'm not completely fug, maybe the lack of male attention directed toward me is for reasons that have nothing to do with me. i honestly wish that i can become as comfortable with myself as you seem to be

That was very well put, I completely relate.

Wow! This essay/rant was so powerful. I definitely get what you're saying. Who doesn't want to be called beautiful? No matter how confident a person seems to be, there is always a bit of self-doubt, especially when it comes to physical appearances. That goes for both boys and girls however, I think that girls tend to feel more uncertain about themselves. It's frustrating and annoying when girls whine and complain about their body because it's blatantly obvious that they're just fishing for a compliment to soothe their ego. Personally, I think it's important to just be happy with yourself no matter what others or the scale says. A persons self-esteem should not be dependent on other people. Although this is easier said then done, I think that ones girls accept themselves and be proud to see their reflection instead of cringing at it.

this is exactly who and how i am! i'm beyond glad that you wrote this because reading this makes me feel like i'm reading my life story.

I have a friend who is constantly whining about her fat she is when in reality, her body is absolutely fine. Sometimes I have the urge to tell her that yes, she is obsese, but I don't feel like she will take it too well. Me? I only wish I can have her body. But what do looks matter? I'm definitely not model material but no one really cares. People aren't that shallow.

And anyway, you're very fit. 4 miles a day? Wow. I don't think I can even manage 1 mile. *embarrassed* Yeah, maybe I should try doing a mile. :D Even if I can't look good, I can at least be healthy.

i just have one thing to say...THANK YOU! man... when i go into the dressing rooms all i hear is" like,oh my god! look at my butt its so big..and my stomach has rolls!" i sigh and think to myself that these people are just sick... im about 5.7-5.8 and weigh around 156. i like my food..i never go on the scale and buy clothes that actually fit me unlike some people i know... why the hell are all these girls into their wieght?? ENJOY PEOPLE! ENJOY THE FOOD! eat like you want and do yoga or go walking and let everything else just go...man... i sure do get mad when i hear girls complaining about how the sociaty is putting pressure on them to stay thin... sociaty?hello!we are doing it to ourselves... my friend is the size of my thigh and is thinking about lipo... the other day i went to get a burger. it was nice and juicy and big...my friend was like" your not REALLY going to eat that are you??" i mean what else am i supposed to do? stick it up my butt?! thanks for writing what you did..! :)

We're wierd, we teenage girls. I have to say I really do think the media is largely to blame. There's no such thing as 'utopia' because if we as humans reached it, we wouldn't be challenged anymore, and thus be unhappy. It's odd. It doesn't make sense. Must be human.Nice piece, it was fascinating to read.^..^~

wow, that is a very powerful essay. You state highschool life beautifully. Thank God I am blessed with friends who make fun of themselves whining about how they are getting chubby, and totally agree with you. We don't talk about getting fat and beauty that much. Hardly never.

You are so right, all a girl wants is to hear someone honestly tell them they are pretty, not to suck up to them, not to flatter them, just state a fact of truth. and under this superficial wish is the actual wish of just being appreciated fully for who you are. I think I am going to write my own essay on this topic. good job!

p.s. please check out some of my work. I think you will like "my little devil" and "True Exhaution." Check some of my other stuff out too.

Love your work, especially "Oil and Water, Cats and Dogs." Hope you fix that last chapter and continue soon.

-Arwen

Brilliant and to the point. I love your sardonic way of ranting. This was great!

I can so relate! This is a great story. I am pretty much the same as you on this one. Very good job with the writing, and you hit the nail on the head with "Girls judge their own beauty by how many guys proposition them. But guys don’t always look for beauty. In my high school, they’re sniffing around for an open pair of legs." Yes! I work as a waitress, and I know the guys aren't hitting on b/c I'm pretty or skinny, b/c I'm not. I had one guy ask me if I was virgin. Guys are jerks. Period. I've had TOO MANY bad experiences. I love the way you write and everything. It's very cool. And I sound like an idiot, heh.

Thanks so much for writing this. :) I know exactly how you feel. Like, to a T.

Great job!

- ala :D

yeah, i get where ur coming from. im not fat, not slim, not pretty, too tall. and frankly, i dunt giv a damn. oh, look wat i just quoted! *dus happy little dance* soz. yeah, itz 1 thing to accept how u look, another to complain about it. if u dun wanna hear **, dunt say **. i can accept how i look without caring about others' opinions, compliments bore me, insults amuse me. and in all honesty, the skool i go to, nobody gives a fu** how much u weigh. personality counts, looks dont, in mi book. itz the vibe that u give out that matters in pplz judegment. i agree wiv almost everything u say in this essay. cept wen mi frends whine or ** too much, i tell them point blank to shut the fu** up b4 i decapitate them with a toothpick. that usually works. =D

My thoughts exactly. :)

I really like your observations.

I was definitely one of those girls that, if not told everyfreakinday that she was pretty (or get hit on), my self esteem would plummet. I relied on boys and compliments to give me confidence and self esteem. Many teens *are* angsty and woe-filled, dramatic, sarcastic, and cynical, especially during their highschool years. I actually moved out of the country my senior year (to the D.R.) because I was sick of experiencing our kind of high school, and fitting in to it quite nicely. Of course, 3 months later I moved back; mainly because the economy sucked, we had to wear uniforms, and a lot of things we take for granted here were not readily available over there. But anyway, thank god I'm done with all of that, and thank god I don't live in the D.R. anymore (home country), it's nice to talk about the world and travel and interests rather than having that awful competition even best friends have in highschool. For anyone still in highschool, it does get better.

;-)