This summer everywhere I look I see or hear an advertisement for the coveted "bikini body". I'm so sick of being told that I need a bikini body. First of all, what is a bikini body? Last time I checked there wasn't a weight nor height limit to put on a bikini. Who decides what a bikini body is? And why do I need one? I know that I am so much more than what my body looks like and you should too. These are some reasons why I believe we need to stop shaming women into trying to change their bodies.

1. If you want to feel strong and healthy, then I believe you should go for it. But do it for yourself, not so that other people can look and judge you.

2. There are so many other things that I would rather have, or be judged on than a bikini body. Such as being smart, having a killer personality, getting a great job, having a trustworthy group of friends, being happy etc.

3. So many young girls have body image issues because they are being told at such young ages that it is more important to be pretty than anything else.

4. Bikinis are swim wear. Meant for swimming. Not for the entertainment of others. Without advertisements of photo shopped models, what would the ideal body be? If women weren't held to the standards of photo shop then maybe their choice of swim wear to go to the beach would no longer be seen as such a huge deal.

5. You should make your own decisions about your body. It only matters if you are happy with your body, not if it makes others happy. The size of your pants shouldn't effect someone else's happiness.

6. A woman is so much more than her body. How about we stop over-sexualization in 2016.

"Girls of all kinds can be beautiful-- from the thin, plus-sized, short, very tall, ebony to porcelain skinned; the quirky, clumsy, shy, outgoing, and all the in between. It's not easy though because many people still put beauty in a confining, narrow box-- think outside of the box-- pledge that you will look in the mirror and find the unique beauty in you"

-Tyra Banks