Losing weight.

Oh, darling- I don’t mean to sound patronizing, but you’re only 14! Please stop beating yourself up about your weight. Girls’ bodies need time to take shape.

I know how you feel and I know you’re constantly having to see skinny girls being called ideal or “model”, but that’s not the real world.

I remember when I was getting hips, I felt so fat-looking, and awkward, but it was more in my head than reality. In high school, being called “skinny” was a high compliment and girls usually said it to each other complaining that they weren’t. “Oh my god, you’re so skinny! I’m so fat.” We were all delusional.

If you start getting neurotic about diet and exercise now, you may compromise your health at a time when you need good nutrition to develop your body and brain. Maybe you should start learning about nutrition/foods, different qualities and effects of foods and ingredients. Now is a good time to really start developing your own good eating habits. Stay away from junk food and drink water when you’re thirsty. Avoid high fructose corn syrup. Read ingredients labels always.

Get your exercise, even just a little. It will keep your energy up, burn the calories and get your juices flowing.

Keep this in mind: being self-conscious about your looks is totally normal for your age. You are more beautiful on the outside than you realize, and that’s not even where it counts.

And later, when so many girls/women are all about their looks, the ones with brains, genuine self-esteem and good conversation are the ones that stand out and get the best men (or women, depending preference). I promise.

Good luck, little sister.