Robyn Silverman - Good Girls Dont Get Fat

When I finally handed in my dissertation on the ability of some girls to thrive in a thin is in world, I was elated, but there was an admitted letdown. Could all those years of backbreaking research really just be thrown into a drawer, never to see the light of day? And if so, how could it help all those girls, women and families who inspired the work in the first place? My advisor, Dr. Richard Lerner, suggested that I turn my dissertation into a booka thrilling and truly terrifying proposition. I knew a book would be an amazing, challenging and demanding undertaking, and I was rightbut, as it turns out, not just for the author.

If it was not for my husband, Jasonwho took up more slack that any one man should ever have tothis book would not have been possible. His consistent patience, unwavering support and constant love during the many hills and valleys of this process have not gone unnoticed and will never be forgotten. Thank you for reminding me that the light at the end of the tunnel was actually daylightnot an oncoming train.

To Dina Santorelli, whose devotion to helping me with this project is apparent on every page of this book, I thank you for waking up early, going to bed late and treating my words as if they were your own. Your assistance was invaluable; your friendship, priceless. Thank you for urging me forward and helping me to realize that I was indeed bigger than this book, not the other way around.

I would like to thank Judy Linden and everyone at Stonesong Press for seeing the potential in this book and for pushing me to make it great, even on days when I wasnt sure I had anything left. I know you share in the joy of its completion. A sincere thank-you as well to Deb Brody and the whole team at Harlequin, who, from the very beginning, supported this book. I could always sense your excitement, which made me feel that mine was not just another book in the crowd.

To the many girls and women in both my original research and the countless subsequent interviews conductedmy actual and honorary Sassy Girlswho candidly shared their stories and insights, I am eternally grateful and promise to keep working hard on your behalf.

Its a privilege to be in the company of so many phenomenal men and women who are working hard to improve the lives of children and families. To those dynamic go-getters who not only shared their insights with me but whose books I kept beside me to silently urge me forwardRachel Simmons, Rosalind Wiseman, Dara Chadwick and Michele BorbaI found myself nodding in agreement as I read your words. A sincere thank-you to those men and women who are doing such commendable work and who graciously provided me with real answers to real questions in real time: Julia V. Taylor, Linda Nielsen, Jess Weiner, Kate Thomsen, Christina McGhee, Jean Kilbourne, Connie Lindsey, Joe Kelly, Bill Klatte, Toccara Jones and Thea Politis, among the many others whose contributions you will benefit from throughout this book. And to the incredibly connected and selfless Amy Jussel of Shaping Youth, I am so thankful for your vast media literacy knowledge and your passion for bridging great minds. Your assistance with compiling the Asset Girl resources found in Chapter 9 was immeasurable.

Id also like to thank Dr. Richard Lerner and Ann Easter-brooks of Tufts University and Peter Scales and colleagues from Search Institute who grounded me in inspiring research and a new way of looking at youth. To me, young people will always be assets to be developed, not deficits to be managed.

A double clap and a You rock! to all those who cheered me on, from my Powerful Words family to my Facebook fans and to my Tweepies to my Girl Advocate community and the beautiful plus-size modeling community, who made sure to tell me that this work was needed and valuable. Thank you also to those who have provided me with a venue to help others, including The Tyra Show, Bay State Parent magazine, Education.com, U.S. News and World Report, LX.TV, ABCs Nightline and Fox News. Knowledge and experience are so much better when theyre shared.

Thank you, Mom, for always telling me how proud you are of me and helping me through the rough spots with your words of encouragement. It is an honor to be your daughter, and, believe me, I know that my work with girls is better and more effective because of the mother you were, and still are. And to the Abeles, the Silvermans, the Barons and the Towler-Murraysmy family through blood, through marriage and through destinyfor checking in and cheering from the sidelines; its always good to have you in my corner.

I will always be appreciative for my friends who were there in a flash when I needed them, especially Dena Shade Monuteaux, whose sisterhood is a gift beyond measure. I know if we made it through Tufts, we can make it through anything! To Randi Goldstein, Jennifer Jacobus, Joanie Pimentel, Dehra Glueck, Kathleen Hassan, Rob Berkley and Debbie Phillips for your years of friendship and Darelle Walsh, Megan Sommer and Antonia Fiddner for the weekly relief and fun. Yes, even adults need their own Sassy Sisters.

To my daughter, Tallie Paige, and the baby on the way, you inspire me to see life through new eyes, sparking my passion and giving me even more of a reason to work my hardest to make this world a better place. It is a privilege to be your mommy, and I am constantly amazed and humbled that out of all the children in all the world, we were blessed with youa fate that fulfills and fuels me in every way. And of course, thank you to my dog, Casey, who curled up under the table on those late nights so that I didnt have to go it alone.