What Can Be Done About Stretch Marks?

Q: I have stretch marks on my stomach, back and thighs. If I lose weight, will they go away?

A: I'm gonna be totally honest with you — stretch marks will not go away completely. That said, they can fade a great deal. They should fade on their own with time, but there are cosmetic procedures, including laser treatments and injections, that can help them fade a little more quickly.

Instead of worrying about stretch marks, though, try to change your perspective on them. I see mine as a badge of honor. They are from a time in my life when I was heavy, unhealthy, and unhappy. They now serve as a reminder to me that I can change anything I put my mind to.

You know the models on the covers of magazines? Some of them have stretch marks, too. And cellulite, and zits, and weird birthmarks — imperfections that are erased by airbrushing. Don't hold yourself up to an impossible standard of perfection. Nobody's perfect, sweetie. And anyway, perfect is boring.