With spring break rolling out and warmer temperatures approaching, we all feel the pressure to get started on our “bikini bodies.” It’s time to start dieting and start exercising because you can’t lay out on the beach with those love handles hanging out or that cellulite exposed on your thighs. This mentality has often caused me to hate my body and envy those around me who seemed to achieve this “ideal” body effortlessly. It was time to see my body for what it really is, unique and beautiful.

I get caught in the habit of comparing myself to everyone, not to the models or actresses I see on TV, but to friends and family I see every day. I think, “I want abs like she has” or “I need to work out as much as he does.” I look in the mirror and see my cankles, my lower belly and my small boobs. I blame genetics for failing me. I just need to work harder so I can be considered “hot” or “beautiful” so I will be noticed. My insecurities were holding me back. I was trying to please others even though I thought I was going to please myself. I wanted a flat stomach so I didn’t look fat next to my skinny sister. I wanted bigger boobs and a bigger butt to please my boyfriend. If others thought that I was beautiful, then I would feel beautiful. After years of hiding the parts of me, which I didn’t like, I decided it was time to change.

It was perfect timing as the Body Positive Movement has become popular. Men and women have started to embrace their shapes and sizes. I was inspired by their confidence and I wanted a piece of it. This was the body I was born with and I’m going to love it. I’m going to take care of it and not try to change it for anyone. This change in outlook on my body was the first and most crucial step, but there was still a lot of work to be done. I started by looking at my body every day, getting to know it and feeling comfortable. I stood in front of the bathroom mirror, completely naked, and examined every curve, every mark and bump on me. As each day passed by, I realized that I was “hot.” I looked different than others and it felt great. There is no one in the world with a body like mine so how could I compare myself to others? After I was finally becoming comfortable in my skin, I wanted to start being healthier.

This involved exercise and eating well. Now sports were never my thing and I might have stepped inside a gym just twice, so exercising regularly was hard at the beginning. I tried a couple of different types of cardio and strength ideas from Pinterest to figure out what works for me. Turns out, I love running. I know that might sound crazy to you, but in my opinion, it is one of the best exercises you can do to get in shape. Exercising is different for everyone, so you just need to find an activity you have fun doing and it’ll make exercising 10 times easier. I try to be active 30 minutes a day at least four to five times a week as well as get eight hours of sleep every night. It can be difficult to find time in college between classes, homework and clubs, but with some time management it is definitely possible. As far as eating well goes, I’m still working on it. I always eat at least something small for breakfast and lunch and avoid snacking. I’ve found keeping myself busy throughout the afternoon and not buying as much junk food have helped me avoid the freshman 15. I try to eat more greens at dinner, but most nights I can’t bring myself to pass on caf desserts. Sometimes a girl just needs a little ice cream after a long day. At the end of the day, it's my happiness and health that matters.

I’m a healthy, confident and beautiful woman. I invest in the health of my body for me and no one else. I want to live a long, healthy, happy life and now I am closer to that goal. I don’t have to be hard on myself anymore for not fitting in society’s small box of what a woman should look like. I am finally free to live my life for me, to be healthy for me.