Regardless of what anyone would say to us or how great we might look in a certain outfit or photograph, we will always see a certain body image that we strive to either maintain or achieve. While you’re on that endless and often painful journey, you can make the most of the figure that you have and be a happier healthier person for it. While there are countless articles, books, videos and miniseries devoted to the subject, we went to the streets and asked real people what they do or would like to do to make the most of their figures and feel better about themselves. Their honest answers will inspire and motivate you.

Kellie, age 29: I just had a baby and, while I enjoyed being pregnant over the holidays, I have more than a little baby weight to lose. Without the baby bump I feel like people just look at me and see a fat girl instead of a cute pregnant girl. I have to keep reminding myself that the people whose opinions matter know that its only been weeks since I was carrying my second child and they know me. So to make the most of my figure I’m continuing to enjoy some of my earlier maternity clothes because they are comfortable and remind me that I had a really, really good reason to gain weight.

Sam, age 32: I’m really skinny and no matter what I can’t gain weight. I started dressing my age instead of my size and it’s made all the difference. I wear tailored slacks and jackets and have learned to love my chicken legs!

Maggie, age 34: Something happened to me this year, my metabolism changed and the easy things I used to be able to do to drop extra weight are no longer working. I’ve not only gained 12 pounds this year, but I’ve kept it on. For months I refused to go up a size because I was afraid that would keep me on this weight gain cycle. When I finally came to grips with the fact that I eat healthy, my doctor says I’m healthy, I exercise and I’m still 12 pounds heavier, I broke down and bought some really nice (way too expensive) clothes. I feel so much better about myself because my clothes fit. I’m not tugging at my shirts or pulling my pant legs down anymore. And I still get as many compliments as ever before. If this is mid-life setting in, I’m going to be stunning with or without these 12 pounds.

Joy, age 42½: I’m a full-figure girl for three reasons: genetics, I love food and I hate to exercise. I fought against the grain for me for so many wasted years – not eating because I was embarrassed to be the fat girl in a restaurant, sad because I’d missed a chance to enjoy a great meal and then ended up eating something unhealthy because it was late and I was starving. No more. I now live by three rules: 1. Enjoy my life. And that includes food. I’m a great cook and I love sampling new things. 2. In order to continue to enjoy my life I have to stay alive so I exercise. I do it at home and I only do what I enjoy – like dancing around my living room like a fool. 3. I only wear clothes that look great on me and I don’t care if they are loud and fancy. That always brings me back to rule #1.

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