Welcome to the Body Image and Media Newsletter! This newsletter (and the BellaOnline Body Image site) is all about feeling comfortable in your own skin. We're not here to change anything but your mind! Please join Body Image Newsletter now by entering your email information in the box below.

If you sign up for the newsletter, BellaOnline will send you a test message within 24 hours. If you do not receive this information, please check your spam filters. BellaOnline will not sell or use your email for any purpose other than sending you this newsletter.

In the Body Image newsletter we will work together to break down the tyranny of fashion images that shape so many women's images of themselves. We will explore fashion photography and learn that even the "most perfect" women don't really look like that in real life. We will explore how professional stylists make the stars look beautiful "all the time" and how we falsely expect to measure up when we roll out of bed in the morning. We will look at our own bodies and learn to love their power and strength and unique beauty. We will look at the history of women's shapes to give us an idea of how transient and random ideals of beauty can be. And we'll look at how tailoring can help to hide figure faults and enhance assets.

The simple truth is that everyone is beautiful. Diet and exercise and plastic surgery won't change your image of yourself. Studies have show that even women who have made radical changes in their bodies (mostly through surgery) continue not to like themselves if they didn't like themselves beforehand. My "mission" (should you choose to accept me!) is to help you love yourself and see yourself as others see you. Chances are that the people who love you think you're beautiful already. All you really have to do is learn to see yourself as they see you.

So welcome to the Body Image newsletter! Please join us on the Body Image forum as well. Drop by and let's get to know one another.

Beautifully Yours,
Body Image Editor
Kass McGann