I've had poor body image as a teen and had really low self esteem, even though (or because) I was a (mostly) straight A student.
After I embraced myself as I am (with the help of books etc) and had friends and a boyfriend who loved me as I was, and changed my wardrobe a bit etc. I had much better body image and self esteem.

I hated exercise and spent too much time online/on computer/sedentary, and ended up with neck/back and other problems (and possible lack of career). The fashion also changed, and I got older... So now I've had body image and self esteem issues again, but not to the extent as in my teens, there's more self-acceptance now, even if I was probably 'prettier' and healthier then.

When I was translating catalogues, an older colleague always wrote 'attractive' if jeans were especially 'hideous' - torn, ugly, no idea what good to write about them! so if those jeans can be 'attractive', I can be 'attractive' too! It's just a label!

NorwegianWoman, some guys find even overweight girls attractive, you sound like an awesome human being, wishing you luck and fingers crossed for you!!
Plus your skin won't get wrinkled if you have a bit of 'extra' weight!!

anothercliche, a friend knows a guy who she says is ugly, but is terribly attractive for women, he treats them wonderfully and they love him!

Wishing luck, self acceptance and love to everyone else here too!!