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Hi Sam, you dont have to respond to this letter but i just want to let it out because i feel like i have nobody to talk to. Anyway, i feel like i eat too much and i feel guilty eating anything with a lot of calories :( i do try eating healthier and exercising, and even metabolism methods but nothing works. i know i cant control it but nobody knows that and just think i eat a lot of sugar. even my loved ones say i’m bigger than usual teenagers. the only good side to it is it helps my friends be happy with the body THEY have. More than once, my friend said they think they’re fat. i said, You’re not fat!! and showed them how i really look when my stomach isnt covered by my trousers. The usual answer was something along the lines of “oh wow, yeah i feel better now.” And yes that was my own fault but still that kind of response was NOT necessary bro 😭 anyway thanks for reading my letter :)
Hi there,
Everyone is different, and it’s natural for us all to have different body types and grow at different rates. Not liking how you look can have a big impact on your self-esteem and confidence, so it’s important to think about ways you can build yourself up.
It’s not okay for other people to make unkind comments about your appearance. Whether it’s a loved one, a friend, or anyone else, when someone starts commenting on your appearance, it says more about them than it does about you.
Sometimes, when you’re feeling down about how you feel, you might want to do things like show people your stomach. When you’re tempted to do that, it can help to ask yourself whether doing it would make you feel better or worse. There can often be better ways to feel differently about yourself.
It can take time and effort accept yourself or see yourself differently. Your appearance is just one part of yourself, and it can help to focus on you as a whole. Building confidence can take time, but we’ve got tips to get you started.
Finding exercises you enjoy and ways to eat a balanced diet is a good thing to do, whether it changes your appearance or not. It can help to remember that focusing on calories, weight loss, and feeling guilty when you eat foods you enjoy isn’t the same as being healthy. You deserve to feel happy in yourself, regardless of what you’ve eaten.
Whenever you’re struggling with how you feel, it can help to talk to someone who won’t put you down or try to make you feel worse. When friends or loved ones are saying unkind things, it can help to share how you’re feeling with a Childline counsellor. They’re there to listen and support you with anything that’s on your mind.
Take care,
Sam
You can talk privately to a counsellor online or call 0800 1111 for free.
You can ask me about anything you want, there's nothing too big or small. I read every single letter but I can only answer a few each week. My replies are published here on my page.