That is so true, Juliana! Confidence is one of the most important factors of beauty. The other (and this is my opinion) is good skin. Women with good skin can have other flaws and still be considered beautiful. I don't have great skin, unfortunately, but it's something I've observed.

Recently, a guy on a message board I visit said he's attracted to non-white women, because white women "don't age well." He said you see our veins more, and the flaws, as we age. It really hurt me, even though I have no reason to care what he thinks. I have no interest in him as a boyfriend (plus I already have one), and I think he has a wife. But I think his view reflects society, and I've been affected by society. I don't think I'm bad-looking, although I looked better younger, and my weight is a big issue in my low self-esteem. When I was thin (and young), guys whistled at me. So others obviously thought I was cute.

I am very unhappy with my looks and my health risks, plus not being in shape. I want to be athletic and of a healthy weight. I don't want to be skinny; I want some muscle, but not too much. The problem is getting myself to do what's necessary to achieve this. Part of that problem is my OCD. I hate sweating; it really worsens my OCD.

I'm babbling. I don't mind having a large butt, as long as it's not too big (to me). I think women look better with curves. And one man likes big butts so much, he wrote a rap song about it! ROFL!

I'm sorry your mom was treated that way. It's like some girls in school who develop large breasts. Even if they cover them up and never have sex or date, they get the reputation of "slut." The same goes for grown women.

If I had a good body ("hot" would be better ), I'd show off some of it. My taste isn't overly revealing, but I'm not going to cover it all up, either! I'd show some cleavage, hike up those puppies, and wear short skirts. But not too much cleavage and not too short skirts (for me; I have no problem if other women, including women I'm hanging out with, want to bare much more). I also realized today, even in my current body, I feel so much sexier and better about myself in new clothes that are in that "new" shape, that fit well and haven't been stretched out and dulled, as clothes tend to do over time. (Of course, I don't wash clothes correctly, in that I don't separate them as much as I should, so that doesn't help keep my clothes nice.) I don't get new clothes often, and my mom usually buys them when I do get them, but I had a shirt (and I have another) that I hadn't worn yet, and I wore it today, and felt really good.