Do it for yourself and not for anyone else, because I’ve been trying to do it for other people for years and it just ends up backfiring. Just do it for yourself.

 

Not that big a deal
If anything happens, like if you gain weight, don’t give up, ever. Don’t say, “Oh no, I gained a pound. It’s never going to happen– I am never going to lose the weight ever, and my whole life is going to be horrible.” Just say, “It’s not that big a deal, and I will try harder next time.”

 

Try your hardest
Try your hardest, and try not to feel bad, because it’s not like you can’t have any rice, pie, or any of that anymore. It’s okay to “cheat” once in a while, but it’s not okay to cheat all the time. I just think that you should look into the future, and if you stick with the diet, you’ll know how healthy you’re going to be in the future. Then you’re going to be really proud. But the thing is, if someone says, “Good job,” you shouldn’t go home and eat junk, because then it won’t be a good job anymore. And if you don’t eat healthy, you could have heart problems and other problems, like not being able to breathe.

 

Staying on track
When I see other people who look the way I want to look, I tell myself that it’s not going to happen unless I work at it. I have to stay on track, otherwise nothing will happen and I’ll never look the way I want to look.

 

I only have one thing that motivates me, and that’s that I’ll be healthy in the future. And it’s a good thing I started now when I was a kid rather than when I was older, like thirty or thirty one or something.

 

Importance of weight
How important is my weight to me? It’s important to me that I don’t develop diabetes at a young age.

 

Nothing happens immediately
More than anything, my advice is that you don’t need to change your whole life. Every little change you make makes a huge difference. Eat your vegetables before your starch, and you may end up eating less starch. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, park on the far side of the parking lot… those little things really add up after a while. Also, nothing happens immediately. If I had given up while I was still gaining weight, I never would have gotten to the point where I was losing weight. There are so many factors that just persevering will make a difference. In terms of the way other people feel being teased or anything like that, it’s hard to just let things roll off you, but concentrate on the positive things. The families and friends of people who are overweight really understand that it’s a tough thing to struggle with. It’s just like getting over a broken ankle– you can’t just immediately walk again, and it’s a tough thing to do. The support of friends and family is important.

 

Start early
I think it’s important to stay on top of your weight so you don’t have to deal with this your whole life. Get it over and done with now while you’re young.

 

Don’t get hung up on the number
Don’t get hung up on the number so much as what you look like. If you’re overweight, but you look in the mirror and you look fine to yourself, then that’s all that really matters. And if you’re healthy at that weight, then it doesn’t really matter either. So don’t get hung up on what the number says when you stand on the scale. It really doesn’t mean that much; it’s really just about health. If you’re in good health, and you look good to yourself, then that’s all that really matters.

 

If I were another kid struggling with my weight, I would just take the doctor’s advice. That’s what I did and I lost thirteen pounds in one month. And don’t let other kids bother you about your weight, because they don’t know you.

 

No matter what, you’re beautiful
Everyone should know that even if you don’t think there is anything you can do, there is. There is a way that you can better yourself. And even if you don’t think that you look the right way, or you think that others don’t like you because of how you look, it’s you that’s important. The only thing that should matter to you is you. You just need to take care of yourself and believe that you can do it, because no matter what, you’re beautiful.

 

Don’t worry so much
Don’t let what people say get to you, and don’t worry so much about what people think of you. That’s something I have a problem with, and I’ve noticed that it’s kept me from doing a lot of things. Don’t worry about what people are going to think if you say something or do something or wear certain clothes.

 

Baby, you’re beautiful
“Baby, you’re beautiful.” Keep telling yourself that every day in the mirror, keep trying to listen to what other people say, and don’t get too confused. Just keep telling yourself you’re beautiful, and that’s all that matters and you’ll make yourself feel better. You come before anyone else.

 

Don’t keep things inside
If you feel that you are overweight, don’t feel bad when you can’t keep up with everyone else. Tell your mom and dad; don’t keep it inside. Tell them and they will help you; that’s what helped me to eat healthier. And if you’re getting teased, don’t worry about it; talk to your mom and dad and they will help you.