Between the end of my senior year of high school and the end of my freshman year of college, I gained almost 20 pounds. Nobody noticed except me, and it was only after I saw a picture of myself on Facebook. In college, I had no access to a scale. I had no clue what I was doing to my body.
I saw the picture and I was horrified. Did I really look like that? How did that happen? I have always been active and healthy. Where did that weight come from?
Note: I would include this picture, but I do not want anyone to feel bad about their weight. I would not call myself overweight, but I was on the high end of a healthy BMI (according to my doctor). I had weight to lose, and I exercised and controlled my diet to lose it. I am still a healthy BMI.
Between then and now, I have returned to the weight I was after high school graduation. I began exercising semi-regularly by running and lifting weights. However, the biggest impact on my weight was the way I was eating. I stopped eating food in the cafeteria, made sure I was eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, and controlling my portions.
Over these past years, I have grown increasingly frustrated by friends and acquaintances that complain about their bodies. I'll admit: I am just as self-conscious about my body as the next girl. I push and pull my body to be the shape that I desire. But there is something that I wish every girl would know and believe: Women have different body shapes.
You likely do not look like the model in the magazine or the hot chick in the movie. Her hips are wider, your arms are slimmer, and someone else's face is round instead of square.
When my friends complain about their body, I gently share the same speech. Are you eating healthy? Are you taking care of yourself by sleeping regularly, drinking enough water, and exercising? If so, then you are doing everything you can do.
If I am unhappy with my body shape, then I do something about it. And if nothing changes, then that is who I am. The sooner I can accept that the more content I will be. I can in control of what I think about my body. If I keep a positive image rather than complaining, that will help my friends and family feel confident and proud about their bodies too.
It takes time to gain that confidence, but you have to start someday. Let today be that day.
In the meantime, take care of yourself. I made a list that I have shared with several friends titled "How not to gain the freshman 15":
1. Exercise. Like Nike says, "Just do it."
2. Don't eat after 9pm - or better - don't eat after dinner because you go to bed at a regular time.
3. Don't keep addicting snacks in your room like chips, popcorn or ramen. Good choices are carrots, nuts, and dried fruit.
4. Control portions while in the dining hall. This includes the portion of dessert you eat.
5. Make sure you are eating your fruits and vegetables as well as limiting carbs like potatoes and bread.
