SWF in search of ice cream

Ladies, when was the last time you looked in the mirror and felt less than content with the body that you saw? \nIf this sounds all too familiar, then you are a member of the majority. Three out of four women 18 to 35 years old feel they are fat, according to a survey conducted by Glamour magazine. \nAnd, if you're in that majority, my guess is that you'll fit right in with 91 percent of women on a college campus who have attempted to control their weight through dieting. (www.wellesley.edu/Health/BodyImage/)\nI have a challenge for you: Become a member of the minority. Join me in the league of women who love themselves for everything they are -- inside and out.\nThrow away your scale. Stop counting calories and skipping dessert. Go out to eat and order something more than a salad with low-fat dressing.\nI've seen some pretty sad cases. Aside from the rash of women plagued by eating disorders and excessive exercising or those who obsess over becoming "perfect" through plastic surgery, there are compulsive dieters who need some guidance. \nA friend of mine nearly choked on her banana when she heard that those delicious fruits have fat in them. She ran out of the room before any of us could explain that some fats are good for you. \nSome other friends repeatedly shut me down when I look for a buddy to share some late night weekend breadsticks. "I'm on my spring break diet," they say.\nAnd on a daily basis, I am surrounded by women selecting a small salad and some fruit for dinner while I happily scarf down tacos filled with greasy beef, cheddar cheese and sour cream. \nI visit Long John Silver's at least once a week and have a constant supply of chocolate in my room. I eat what I want, when I want. \nWe're only alive for so long, so why not enjoy our time while we can? Learn to accept yourself for all the wonderful qualities you possess and stop obsessing over this one superficial aspect of who you are. Dress size does not make the woman. \nThis isn't to say that you should become a bum and not take pride in your appearance. Get out and be active. Exercise if that's something you enjoy. But, start to realize that there is so much more to life than watching your weight and monitoring your caloric intake.\nI learned a long time ago that if I didn't respect myself for who I was, then no one else would either. Stop allowing your bathroom scale to set the standard for your self-esteem and start realizing that you are an amazing woman with so much to offer the world.\nIf it's attention from the opposite sex you're worried about, ask any man -- confidence is the sexiest attribute a woman can possess. The more you love yourself, the greater capacity you have for others to love you back. \nIf you find a guy who won't give you a chance based solely on your appearance, just smile at him and know that he just missed out on the most beautiful woman you've ever met. He was shallower than the Jordan River and wasn't worth your time, attention, or love anyway.