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"  Dear Jess, All of my close friends doballet for 10 hours a week and are super-skinny. They are all super-nice and have beautiful personalities, but I&amp;#039;m always comparing myself to them and feel ugly. So in order to make up for the ballet, I work out every day in order to feel fit and skinny. I really hate working out because of how exhausted it makes me, but when I skip a day of working out I feel unfit and fat. I know I&amp;#039;m not fat, but I feel the need to be a size two. How can I make myself comfortable with my body and friends without working out so much? \u2014Rachel Dear Rachel, Everyone has days where they wish they looked different than they do. It is so easy to say &amp;quot;If I were five pounds thinner, my life would be awesome!&amp;quot; But, is that really true? Ask yourself: Why are you losing weight? Is it to be healthy or to be thin? Really sit down and think about these questions. And, remember: losing weight isn&amp;#039;t just about food and exercise. It&amp;#039;s about taking a step back and really thinking about your goals. Make them realistic and make them doable. Start small and build yourself up. And, most important of all: Do not put your life on hold in the meantime! Do not say, &amp;quot;Once I lose the weight, I&amp;#039;ll be happy.&amp;quot; Instead of comparing your happiness to the size of your friend&amp;#039;s bodies focus on you \u2014 on what brings you joy. Trying to compete or keep up with other people&amp;#039;s genes is like going to the hardware store for milk. It just won&amp;#039;t bring you the results you need! Start a new routine in the morning: instead of focusing on your weight, focus on how pretty your eyes are, or how great your hair looks today, or how you are going to ace a test at school. I love that you are physically attractive, but exercise should be fun and not punishment. So rearrange the way you think about working out. Find gratitude in the fluidity your body provides in each activity. Be kind to your bones and muscles. And most of all, to yourself! Health and wellness aren&amp;#039;t sizes \u2014 they are a combination of emotional, physical, and spiritual factors. Begin learning more about Rachel and what makes her unique. You just might find someone you really like! Blessings, Jess "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.seventeen.com/health/q-and-a/a14708/focus-on-you/>