Whitney Thompson says flaws are what makes her different

I've learned to take my flaws and [realize] they're what make me different. I've got my mom's thighs, you know? Southern! My mom has big thighs; my grandmama has big thighs. God forbid I look like every other robot-cookie-cutter girl out there! You're going to find someone who loves your gian nose or thinks your skinny arms are great!

I think one of the things that really helped me most in middle school and high school as cutting tags out of my pants--that way, other girls couldn't say anything. When someone goes, "What size are those?" you can look and say, "I don't know." Wear what fits-it doesn't matter what the number is. Seventeen Magazine July '08

Alicia Keys on Perfection

I have definitely been over accommodating. It gets to the point where I'm not taking a second to ask, How am I feeling today? We have to listen to our feelings. But a lot of times you ignore them. You're busy, you're in school, you're working, trying to get into college, to make you mom happy, to be the best student you can be, to make your friends like you, to fit in. You don't want to disappoint anyone. But at some point you have to say, Enough! I can't be perfect.

A lot of times you don't really say what you mean because you're like, I don't want to hurt their feelings. I don't want to make them feel bad. But sometimes you have to just say, "I'm sorry if this hurts you. I'm not trying to hurt you, but this is what I feel." I've also worked on becoming more independent-becoming more selfish. Not selfish in a bad way; selfish in the "you need some you time" way.

I think at one time I was so bent on being just one way that I didn't allow myself to explore the many ways I can be or express myself. I've learned to embrace the many sides of myself. And there are so many sides to who I am. I have the more delicate side. I have the rougher, tougher tomboy side. I have the bohemian, '70s retro side. I have the more glamorous side. I have the more feminine side. There are so many sides to who you are. So now I'm just so much more open to trying new things. And it feels good. Seventeen Magazine July '08

Jess Weiner's cool advice in Seventeen Mag - Check it out!

I don't know about you, but I love Seventeen Magazine. They have some of the coolest stories and their May 2008 issue is no exception. In the issue Jess Weiner - an author, self-esteem expert, and the Global Ambassador for the Dove Self-Esteem Fund - gives advice on how moms and their daughters can both give their bodies a break. Here is what she said:

For as long as I can remember, my mom was on a diet. I didn't need to lose weight, but at age 11, I joined in her calorie-counting crusade. We shared the same taste in music, love of shopping, and, eventually, negative body image. My mom thought she was helping me feel good about how I looked, but instead I thought that I could never look good enough. I learned to loathe my body at a young age, and as a result, I later struggled with anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating.

Because we value their opinions so much, our mothers have a huge impact on how we feel about ourselves. Even a compliment ("Wow, you look so thin!") can make us think we're more lovable when we look a certain way.

For years, I blamed my mom for passing her body issues down to me. Then as I recovered, I realized that our mothers also face pressure to fit in and look pretty. They don't realize that by degrading themselves ('My butt looks huge!") or commenting on our bodies, they're hurting us. So instead of blaming them, let's invite them to accept their bodies too!

You can start by telling your Mom that you both need support --not criticism. (The next time she makes a negative remark, let her know that you're trying to feel good about yourself--and her comments don't help.) Then become allies in changing how you view your bodies by finding healthier ways to bond. (See "This Month's Goal" below). As you find more ways to relate to each other outside of calorie counting and body bashing, the better off you'll both be.

"THIS MONTH'S GOAL":
I VOW TO: Quit bonding with my mom over body issues. Show support for each other by cutting out negative thoughts and words.

HOW TO DO IT: Invite Mom to make peace by signing her own vows at seventeen.com/momvows! Then find positive ways to bond: Try taking a jewelry-making class, starting a book club, or planning a mother-daughter-themed movie night (see Freaky Friday-classic!).