I’ve struggled with body image forever, it seems. My dad would always call me “potbelly” and say things like, “Okay, little piggy,” if I dared to have a second helping at dinner. He was naturally skinny — too skinny, actually — and was forever making me and other friends and family feel bad if we ate normal quantities. Looking back at old photos, I can tell you I was not overweight. As an adult, I am, but even when I’ve had success in my struggles to lose weight, I’ve never seen myself as anything but overweight.

I love the idea of owning the hell out of the body I’m in now. I can still work toward better health without hating where I am. Thanks for the pep talk!