From Taylor Swift, Gabourey Sidibe, Beyonce, Kelly Clarkston, Raven Goodwin, Willow Smith, Selena Gomez, Melissa McCarthy, and everyone in between – our bodies are different. That difference is what makes us beautiful, confident and unique.

Do you have body confidence? What is body confidence? Body confidence is being comfortable with the body you have NOW, taking care of it and dressing in a way that celebrates your inner and outer beauty.

Yes, the way you dress speaks to your level of body confidence. It speaks volumes even before you open your mouth.

Do you find yourself looking in the mirror and dissecting parts of your body? OR, do you simply avoid looking in the mirror for fear of seeing things you don’t really want to see?

Forget about those magazine “body watch” features; ignore the articles about being too fat or too skin; and quit dieting! The best way to work on your best body is by eating right and MOVING – exercising does the body good!

In the meantime, learn to love the shape, size, space and self you are in NOW. Go visit a playground or park, see how much fun the young children are having regardless of body type? That should be you. Here’s a BODY for you:

Beauty is about the inside more than the outside.

Open the window and enjoy life

Do consider eating healthy and exercising – this is good regardless of size or shape

You are amazing just the way you are!

Watch the short film, Evolution, produced by the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty. It shows you just how far magazines go to create “the look” you see:

Remember looks are a small part of what you have to offer – there is so much more to you.

Share your thoughts…I’d love to hear from you.

**The original article was published for Tween Girl Style Magazine in July 2013. This is an updated edited version of that article.