Dear girl, you are beautiful inside and out. May I offer one thought? I know women who are considered classically beautiful, and they can't trust or believe anyone would even want them........because they think that someone would only want them for their looks. Isn't that ironic, when compared to how you're feeling right now? But doesn't it also help you realize that we, as a gender, are pretty messed up because of various societal messages we've received our whole lives - and thus, it isn't you, not you alone, feeling this way? I hope there's some comfort in that. Your insecurity and doubt aren't coming from food / weight. It's bred into you, and would manifest in some other way if it weren't for the food thing. And it's not hopeless.

You have a lot to offer, and the world needs a lot right now. Start offering without being too focused on what comes back at you, for the time being. See what happens. Don't hide behind your fear and let things pass you by.

Well said, Katie!

I have always been a firm believer do unto others. I am also like my mom was (and all the women in my family) and do care about, reach out and would do anything for anyone. That being said, I am being sucked down (both in an unhappy marriage and other situations as well. where I am giving 110% and getting little back.) Feeling taken advantage of and alone. (I do realize this is my fault for allowing it )

You are right though. At work especially, reaching out and sharing conversation and pleasantries does breed more kindness. I am lucky to have that small glimmer to hold on to right now. People can be very kind.

My greatest gifts came when I didn't expect anything and when I stopped perceiving myself as unfairly treated. I began looking at myself in the mirror every day and telling myself how great I am! I didn't believe it just of myself but I believed it of everyone because after all, we are not our bodies. They are just the suits we walk around with, in this life. So if I could offer a suggestion right here that I know will help you, it is this.....Try to avoid the temptation to look at others as different then you....and to judge that difference. If you can do that, it will go a long ways toward letting go of all the fear that is holding you back from enjoying your life.

The biggest fears I had from the biggest challenges I faced, turned into my greatest triumphs and they will with you also. You just need alot of support to help you overcome your fears. Throughout our lives, we build traps for ourselves that we have a hard time getting out of because we are afraid of..."The shadows!" Words that people say to us that have no power at all but when we give them our power, we make ourselves "victims" so that we can blame someone else for the dis ease that we feel. That's how we create our own hell!

Here is something that will help you:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sk9NugyQnM

God Bless

Well said Bob. I’ve suffered some self image problems and I realized that I had to stop worrying about what others thought about me. If I felt confident about me, I could win any situation.

That’s held through for me. I’m the most confident flawed man I know! Lol.

Hang in there friends.

I totally understand! If it helps, my doctor recently introduced me to the concept of "I am enough." look it up on YouTube! there's a great TedTalk about it. It seems super simple, but for me at least, it was MINDBLOWING!!