How many times do you criticize yourself in a day? Be honest… we all do it.  If I had a dime for every time I heard, “Ugh, I should not have just eaten that”, “I am so fat,” or “I am so mad that I couldn’t get to the gym today,” I would be one rich chick.

Girl World is Cutthroat

Being a girl is extremely tough. Have you seen Mean Girls?! Girl world is cut throat. We all are yearning to have killer bodies with the most perfect thigh gap, but I honestly think my thighs would be sad to be far from one another. It would be selfish of me to separate them permanently! Our body image issues stem from the celebrities we see in advertisements, where most of them look like they weigh as much as a prepubescent teenage boy or like what I did in elementary school… less than one hundred pounds. The world has created unattainable expectations of what women feel they should look like. Real talk: the magazines use Photoshop, very few people actually look like that.

As I entered college, I was overwhelmed with the constant communication about weight, health, calorie count, and body size. These topics were not even on my radar due to the fact I am actually a bottomless pit. I can give a frat boy a run for his money with the amount I eat. I tend to think outside of the salad bowl when it comes to my meals. The employees at Papa John’s know my cheesy bread order by heart. The only “five guys” in my life involve the cheeseburger restaurant down the street from my apartment. As a freshman, I started to feel self-conscious with all the people around me counting calories and critiquing what they were eating. Eating healthy can be difficult especially for someone like me. Did I have to start adding more fruits and veggies into my diet and tracking my caloric intake?

Zero is Not a Size

As my favorite character, Brooke Davis, once said on One Tree Hill, “Zero is not a size.” Girls, stop being so hard on yourself! You are perfect the way you are… inside and out. The numbers of a clothing size or pounds on the scale should not define happiness. Happiness should come from within. Do not go crazy with what goes into your body, as moderation and portion control are key components to a healthier lifestyle. Do you think I could live a life without bread and cheese? No way José. Do not deprive yourself of what you love, but do use your will power. I love pasta, but when I make it, I add more veggies than pasta. This way the meal is not a complete cheat. Make a healthier version of your favorite dish. Everyone is beautifully different so never compare yourself to others. Bruno Mars said it right, “Girl you’re amazing, just the way you are”. You know what is most attractive? Confidence. Be proud of who you are and embrace your unique body.

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