Last week, Lucy said:

Do you need advice on an issue? Other SmartGirls can help! Submit your issue to SmartGirl.

336 SmartGirls replied:

62% gave other responses. Some SmartGirls said:

• Lucy you do not have to lose weight for any of your friends. If they do not like what size you are, know then they are not good friends. If you want to lose it for yourself then you can just exercise more.

• All I can say is just dicuss this with your family and maybe they can buy some healthier stuff and I am pretty sure they will support your ideas. But if they don't really care try talking to your friends about it.

• You could also jog on your street maybe once or twice a day. Try doing a sport. Don't worry tons of girls have this problem. -Advice giver

• Don't feel huge!! It's what's inside that counts. If you are not perfect on the outside that doesn't matter!!

• Dear lucy, I have a similar problem. What I'm doing is taking mile walks and I don't eat a lot of junk food. Also eat and drink dairy products, they help lose weight. But remember, you should be happy with yourself. Your figure is ok. Don't care what other people think. Worry about your own thoughts and feelings.

• It doesn't matter what you look like or what size you wear. If you're happy with yourself then that's all you need. You don't have to be tiny, just happy with yourself.

• Lucy, You can diet if you want but if your friends fit into a 6/8 they are skinny, you're not fat. You are perfect and if people really care about you it doesn't even matter, boys included and ha I wear a 12/14. Your Friend Nina, 12

• You know what that's how I feel but I find ways to get around it!! I would say just lay off some candy and maybe have a little treat because everyone needs sugar!!! If they make fun of you...get new friends but if they like you for who you are than be happy with who you are I learned that the hard way!

• Lucy, I'm anywhere from a size 16 to a size 20, and I'm in 7th grade. I talked to my friends about it and they said that if I wanted to go on a diet I could, but they liked me just the way I am. Kerith,13

• Dear Lucy, You shouldn't compare your physical appearance with your friends'. Just because your friends are size 6 doesn't mean you have to be size 6. I suggest that you talk to a school nurse and ask for healthy eating tips. Make sure whatever diet you go on is very healthy. If you eat a lot of unhealthy foods then I suggest you replace them with vegetables, fruits, proteins, etc. If you drink a lot of soda then you should cut that out too and drink water or something healthy. Last of all if you don't exercise much then you should exercise a little more. *p.s- whatever you do, don't starve yourself or overexercise.

• Dear Lucy, It doesn't matter how much u weigh or what size u wear. You should be proud of being yourself!!!! Your friends are your friends, and they don't care what size u wear. They care what's on the inside, and not the out!!!!

• I feel in my opinion that 12/16 is an okay size for a 14-year-old!

• Hey, I totally understand your dilemma. But I've got to tell you, some diets are dangerous, you're better of doing exercise. But you really shouldn't try so hard to change your look. Uniqueness is all the rage, this year, right? ^_^

Thanks to all of you that gave your advice! Please give your advice for this week's issue.