Why do we feel "fat"?

I have a friend who is overweight, and has been calling herself fat. She would make comparisons whenever we mentioned something was large, and it drove me nuts. I thought about all the adjectives I could use to describe my friend: creative, artistic, funny, helpful, etc., and to be honest, fat would never make the list. I never even think about her weight when I think of her. So I've been thinking about what being fat is, and why we feel that way. I mean, I even feel fat sometimes, and I have no right to do so.

I think that being "fat" is a mindset. It means we are unsatisfied with ourselves, and we perceive the oustside to be the most important part of what people see. I know when my hair is unwashed, I am wearing a t-shirt and jeans, and no makeup, I don't feel attractive and I don't like myself as much as when I've showered, taken a minute to think about what would look nice, and put on some mascara. But why? Why should it matter if I look nice? I'm still a daughter of God. I still have a sense of humor and try to be kind to the people around me. I think though, that when we take the time to make ourselves look nice, we are telling ourselves, "You are worth taking the time. You are something special, and you deserve to live up to your true potential."

For people who take the time every day to dress up to go to work or school, this probably seems cliche and irrelevant. "I get dressed up to go to work, not for my self esteem." But you don't have to look your best to go to work. You get dressed up because you want to make a good impression, or you want to look like you put time into yoruself, or whatever. Because you matter. Because you are worth the time and effort. So for those of us who don't always want to put in the effort to looking nice (because I am definitely one of those people), you are still worth it. Don't let the days when you don't have the time or desire get you down. Don't let yourself feel "fat". You may be overweight, but that doesn't mean you are not beautiful. Keep your goals in mind, and focus on what you can do now to feel lovely.