Letters

Shape, May, 2003

Childless by Choice

Thank you for addressing the issue of remaining childless by choice and for providing the relevant Web site addresses [childfree.net and nokidding.net] in the December Mind-Body Q & A column. I am 32 and never felt the desire to have children. I'm tired of defending my choice, and I've learned that a lot of other women feel the same. Not everyone needs to have children to feel fulfilled in life.

Susan Bramlet, Fort Worth, Texas

I knew in my 20s that I didn't want to have children, and I could relate to the flak the reader gets from her friends and family who tell her she'll change her mind later. I am now 39 and have no regrets about my decision. I have no problem telling anyone who asks, "I love kids, but I have never wanted to have them." I think prefacing my opinion with the fact that I do like kids helps others be OK with my desire not to have children of my own.

Diane Barmore

Bellevue, Wash.

The response to the 26-year-old woman who had recently decided not to become a mother was way off base. Her problem is not that she has decided to skip motherhood, but that she has no sense of personal boundaries. One's reproductive plans are a very private and personal choice. There is no obligation to share that kind of information with co-workers. If she's so concerned about people belittling her feelings, she should probably learn to keep quiet when it comes to this topic and not share everything with everybody.

Karen Hohenstein

Los Angeles

Motivation Manager

Thank you for the motivation-packed January issue; Bonnie St. John's article "Jump-Start Your Fitness Success" (Get Motivated) was great. I filled out the accompanying work sheet and hung it up in my office. I review it on a daily basis, and I know it will help me finally reach my goals and get in shape.

Erin Rollins

Mesa, Ariz.

Resource Center

I've been following the "Superfast Body Blast" program from the December issue and the results have been great. Since starting my subscription to Shape, I've thoroughly enjoyed every issue. The layouts, recipes, fashion and workouts are superb. I've read other fitness magazines, but Shape tops them all. Keep it up!

Maybelline Agustin

Gulfport, Miss.

I've been reading Shape for the past few months, and thanks to following the workout programs and eating plans, I'm getting closer to reaching my fitness goals. I also appreciate the motivational articles -- they have been extremely helpful. I can't wait for my new issue of Shape to arrive each month so I can improve my health.

Allison Solomon

Willard, Mo.

Shape has been an endless source of motivation for me over the years. I read each issue from cover to cover and keep them all to refer back to exercises, tips and recipes. I even bought a subscription for my mother, who is in her 5Os and has recently made healthy lifestyle changes. Keep up the good work!

Lori Amein

Colorado Springs, Colo.

Now You're Cooking

I rarely have the time, let alone the motivation, to cook a homemade dinner after working all day. When my boyfriend bought me a crockpot for Christmas, I wasn't sure how I could use it. Then I opened the February issue of Shape and saw "Crockpot Comeback" (Lowfat & Easy) and the awesome recipes. I easily prepared the Sweet 'n' Sour Turkey Meatballs, which I put together before going to work and let cook all day. They were delicious. The timing of this article couldn't have been more perfect. Thanks!

Samantha Hallman

Ann Arbor Mich.

YOU TOLD US In January, we asked you to tell us your favorite fast beauty-enhancing tip. Here's what some of you told us:

* When wake up and am in a hurry to get out the door, I sweep some bronzing powder on my cheeks, forehead and chin for a healthy, awake, energetic glow.

Allison Moyer

Lenhartsville, Pa.

* Once a week, I use body-scrubbing gloves and mix an apricot body scrub with a creamy body wash. After showering with this mixture, I slather on thick, rich cream for fresh, exfoliated skin.

Jennifer Austin-Schiele

Salt Lake City

* My favorite beauty enhancer is to get my eyebrows tweezed or waxed regularly. As long as my brows are done, I don't need much makeup; I just brush them into place and my face instantly looks brighter.

Kathryn Scerbo

Montville, N.J.

* After I shower, I apply scented body oil to my skin while it's still damp. My skin feels amazingly soft and moisturized, and during my workout, the scent of the oil returns.

Bonnie Baskin-Gilmore

Richmond, Calif.

* I buy aloe vera plants, break off pieces and apply the plant gel found inside to my face. Not only does this make my skin glow, but applying aloe vera on a pimple helps clear it up.

Angie Miele

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

* For a soft, dewy-looking complexion, I mix a small amount of facial moisturizer with my foundation and then apply it to my face with a sponge, blending it well.

Rebecca Tillmann

Reynoldsburg, Ohio

SEND US YOUR MAIL!

E-mail us at Hotlines@Shape.com (or write to Shape Hot Lines, 21100 Erwin St., Woodland Hils, CA 91367). Please include your name, city, state and day-time phone number. Shape reserves the right to edit letters.