Why do women compare themselves to models in magazines?

I am not gorgeous, I am not thin or beautiful, I do not have long legs, long hair or a flat stomach.

I have a (very) curvy body, (fat) muscular calves that have a hard time finding shin pads to fit.  I have a big butt that I am proud of, I am attractive, I have a belly that held 2 children, and some days it looks like one is still in there.  I have wiggly arms, wiggly inner thighs and yet, when I look in the mirror, I see a lovely woman.

I am kind and loving, loyal, determined, I work my ass off at the gym, I run my ass off on the soccer field.  I have a husband who adores me and 2 amazing kids that think I am the best Mom in the world.

Those models in the magazines should be comparing themselves to me, and maybe they do.  What do they have?  Yes they are beautiful, but remember, they are people too.  Beauty is their job - does it make them happy?  Maybe yes, maybe no.  They get pimples, they have bad days, they have hard times in relationships.

Those models that you compare yourself to - they are judged every single day about how they look.  I don't have to worry about that.  Those models have to watch what they eat, worry if they get a pimple, worry if they gain weight, worry about the next model that is just waiting to take their place.  I am not envious of them, that can't be easy.

My life - there's no one that can take my place - my kids and husband will attest to that.  I don't care if I gain 5 pounds, I'd rather lose 5, but it won't affect my life either way.  I get pimples, I have bad hair days, and I just laugh along with the people like me who make fun of me for it.

You can't compare yourself to anyone else.  Take the time to see what you have to offer, what your great qualities are.  Tell yourself that you are beautiful and wonderful until YOU believe it.  Make the decision to have good self esteem, and remind yourself to work on it.  I say, fake it til you make it!  That's what I did.

I went a little overboard and I am a tad bit egotistical.  But that's ok - I'm awesome.  I just wish I could make the women of the world understand that they are wonderful just the way they are.  The men too.  Stop comparing yourself to other people and work on yourself.  I have nothing that other people don't have - except the knowledge that I am great, just the way I am.  Take a page from the "Book of Pam" and love yourself - that is always the first step.

As a side note, I played my first game of outdoor soccer for the season last night.  I was sooo nervous, but I did great.  We won, but best of all, I felt great just being there.  Do something for you - you're worth it. (that sounds cheesy as I read it, but it's true, and I can be cheesy if I want to be!)