My body has affected my self esteem for my entire life. I've always HATED my legs and butt, I've been teased for it, and it's always stuck with me. It affects me now and I have a boyfriend and he gets so mad at me when I get down in the dumps about it. I work hard and the gym and I would love to be able to accept my body the way it is, but it's not easy. I'm definitely lacking in the confidence department. And yes, it's true that it's not weight that has any bearing on men's perception of you, it is confidence. Confidence can is sexy...I think I need to get some, too!

My weight has affected my self esteem too. I use to be very outgoing and love to go out and about when I was thinner. Now I hate how I look and never really want to go any where because of how I look and can never seem to find something that looks good on me. I can get really in the dumps about it and my hubby hates it when I do. It affects our relationship because I'm not myself and get irratible when I'm in those moods. I think that it's a lot of how you carry yourself because I've noticed on some good days when I feel good about myself, guys have noticed but I could look the exact same the next day but in one of those moods and it would be like I was invisible. It's all about confidence which is something a lot of us seem to lack.

I have also met several men since my divorce that like bigger girls. The guys that I don't like are those who only go for bigger girls. That is when it starts to affect my self esteem. If the guy likes me for who I am and then realizes that he thinks I am beautiful, that is the best way to go.

I am also very self conscience about my appearance because I think people say "Look at that fat girl" and then I don't want to even go out in public. I am getting better even though I haven't lost any weight yet. I am more confident.

i was VERY confident when i was thinner. i just used to walk up to people, especially guys and talk to them. now that i weigh a lot more i dont do that. i also do not like to go out as much. i dont look after myself and my body as i used to. i dont wear that nice of clothes as i used to, and barley use make up anymore. i knwo if i loose weight i will start looking after myself more again, but i know also that i should start RIGHT NOW. you dont have to be thin to be beautiful.

i know how you feel i hate when i gain weight i dont want anybody to see me. when you take care of yourself hair makeup u feel better about yourself and it gives you the motivation to lose the weight and your selfesteme will grow treat yourself to a manicure etc you have to love yourself first.your not alone

Even when I weighed 105 pounds, I looked in the mirror and thought, "Oh, my goodness, those thighs." How big could they possibly have been? I want help in this confidence area also. I want to feel good about myself but care enough to work on it, too!

Yes, it has effected every part of my life, for as long as I can remember. You hear men say that is does not matter to them, but for most of them it does. I think they have just become more PC about it. Like the racist who no longer spouts negative garbage because society frowns upon it, but they still harbor ill will. Men know that they are not supposed to say it out loud, so they talk about it only in certain circles that they feel free to share their true feelings. I know this because I've been privy to this horid disscusions. Being a bartender you see and hear it all.

YES my body has affected my self esteem. I hate to look in the mirror. I wish I could spray paint all my mirrors black. I hate the way I look in my clothes. Even the outfits that are nice I always think it would look better if I was lighter. I haven't met anyone in about 2 years. Maybe my self esteem can have something to do with it.

I think I have had negative body image for a very long time - even going back to when I moved schools at age 10 and was bullied for being 'plump'(the polite word your Mum and Aunts use - children are not so kind in the school yard).
I had a brief period in my 30's where I was happy with my body - but I was dancing and teaching Salsa 4 times a week at the time. I would like to go with my friends to a Salsa club now and my partner is happy to look after our daughter - but I feel I look so awful and cannot fit into any nice clothes - so I wont go for fear that noone will ask me to dance - even though I love dancing. Now I am back to hating my body and especially my stomach after my pregnancy. I avoid my partner seeing my body and wont let him touch my stomach - he finds this annoying I know, but I just hate my shape so much that I want to keep it hidden away -as if it will go away if I ingnore it! Doh! I am sure that some of you feel a similar way.
It is a really viscious circle, I am not sure what the fear is that fuels the negative body image - but I know that it is really hard to think positively when you can't even bear to look in the mirror, and that often leads to eating more rather than less - just the opposite of what you need to do.

There is more to our self-esteem that just looks. It is discovering what we have inside that brings out our selves. When I base my self-esteem on my looks and weight, I become depressed. But when I refuse to judge myself by my weight, I discover there is more to me than I thought.

I have never been happy with my body. My upper legs, stomach, breast are big especially on a 5'1" women. When I was a teen I was perhaps 10 # overweight, and that is when I started hating my body, not fitting in, not the norm. When I was 30 I lost 70# with WW, reaching goal, for about 2 years and I loved my body even after 4 kids and stretch marks. I haven't hit any goal since, and I don't want to be seen in shorts, swimsuit, etc. I've have learn I am more than just a body though, and that helps me be happy, have friends. At this point in my senior life, the need to lose weight is to be healthy, and be more comfortable in my bones, to continue to have fun by being active. That's what's important now. Every lb. off is a step away for the wheelchair, diabetes, high blood pressure, and lots of pills. All I have to do is remember this.

I think self-esteem might be my problem. In the mornings i'll look at the mirror, get upset and then feel unbelievebly self-counciuos all day. No men at all are interested in me, and i wish i knew why because even when i was slimmer they didnt. Thats depressing!