Question: I often feel like I am very fat and ugly. I try to hide my fat by wearing loose clothes. My mom also thinks that I need to lose some weight. I am so confused and don’t know what to do. I feel ugly and helpless.
Dear Teentalker,
Thank you for writing to us about your concern.
I feel concerned to hear that you are feeling so upset about how you look and feel. Being unsatisfied with your appearance can be daunting and disheartening.
I can imagine that may feel conflicted between what you think, what your friends tell you and your mother’s expectations. It’s difficult to match the expectations set by yourself and others. I want to remind you that appearance is only a part of who you are not who you are as a whole. Your personality, character, habits, nature, behaviour and other internal aspects are also a part of your identity. If you’re feeling ugly and fat, try to find evidence of these feelings. For example, if you believe you’re fat, weigh yourself and measure your vitals. Match these numbers with a healthy body weight analysis and see where you fall. If you’re eating unhealthy or very minimalist meals, try adding some healthy ones even if they are in small portions.
Ask your friends to help you feel better about yourself. Ask them what they like about you and who you are. Share how you feel with them so that they can understand your concerns.
Remember, you’re more than just your body. Reflect on your feelings which cause you to feel that you’re ugly because believe me, you’re not!
You can seek guidance from our experts by clicking on “Chat With Us.”