No matter what size you are, if you aren’t wearing the right clothes it will detract from your appearance. The dilemma is, what is “right”? Too many of us get our fashion advice from magazines and TV shows, without really understanding what clothes look best on our figure or harmonize with our personalities. Many years ago, I began working with Julie Cunningham, who was training specialists for an image consultant company called Color Me Beautiful. It was there that I first learned how to choose a wardrobe that worked with my blessings, even during the time when I was seriously overweight. Once I figured out which colors were right for me and which silhouettes fit my personality best, the number on the scale really didn’t matter. I swear. I could rely on my clothing to work for me, even during stressful times, even when I didn’t feel my best, which freed me up to stop fretting about my image and focus on more important changes. Since then, I’ve recommended Julie’s work, now called Julie Cunningham Colors, to many, many patients—all of whom experienced a similar transformation. It is difficult to believe it until you experience it yourself, so I encourage you to try a visit with a color specialist or image consultant in your area. With the help of an image consultant, you will learn which colors to use in makeup and clothing and which styles suit you the best. The goal is to use your clothing to your best advantage, the way the right setting brings out the luster of a diamond. Don’t wait to do this! Even if you’ve just begun the The Core Balance Diet, honor who you are today. Don’t hide your light under a bushel (or the wrong clothes).

Which reminds me. Unless you really have nothing to wear, I want you to go to your closet right now and take out your “skinny” article of clothing. Now go give it to Goodwill or another needy cause—regardless of what the scale says.

And while you’re at it, do a closet detox! Get rid of any other clothes that make you feel bad about yourself, as well as anything that you haven’t worn in over a year. Pitch the frumpy bridesmaid’s dress. Toss the T-shirt that makes you feel beefy. Lose the trendy belt that always makes you feel fat. Unburden your image in the same way you are clearing clutter from your diet, your habits, and your emotional life. From now on, you are only going to buy well-made clothing that fits, clothing that embraces who you are right now, not who you once were or who you may be someday. If you don’t like the way the size sounds, cut the tag out. Allow yourself to feel and look good now and to trust in the unique, complicated conversation that is you—always changing, always growing, and learning not to be afraid to be present, just the way she is.

Now, take a bow.