As the summer approaches, the phrase “summer bod” continues to circulate more and more around ad campaigns and social media. People mention their new diets, their bathing suit shopping trips, or their new work-out regimens. But what is it about the summer that makes us want to exercise more? The simple answer: people want to look perfect in their bathing suits. No one will deny that bathing suits are revealing, but still we love them. They show off our bodies to the fullest extent we want them to. And that is where the phrase “summer bod” comes in. We have it in our heads that our bodies should look entirely different for the 3 months that make up the summer. We should put our bodies through an increased work-out routine and start eating differently so that our bodies will look better in bathing suits.

I will not deny that I also focus on the concept of the “summer bod.” However, I am not necessarily proud of that. Why can’t working out be something we do year round? Why can’t we love our bodies all the time, regardless of the month or season? We should always care about our bodies, treating them right and being healthy. Sure, we take time for ourselves when we indulge, but that does not mean we have to put our bodies through highly intensive workouts and diets for 3 out of the 12 months of the year.

What exactly is the “summer bod”? Because by the most rudimentary definition, it’s the body we have in the summer; and as a result, it’s the body we have the rest of the year as well. Yet, society has deemed the “summer bod” as the body we should be proudest of; the body that is the most fit, the skinniest; the body that should be the most loved by us. Doesn’t that sound at least a little bit twisted? We should be proud of our bodies regardless of the season or weather. And I will repeat what I said earlier, I am not claiming that I myself do this. I also struggle with falling into this pattern of only loving my body when it is at its most attractive. However, we should want to change this. We should want to be healthy and happy year round, in our own bodies.

So, this summer don’t work out or diet for “that summer bod.” Work out for you; work out because you want to stay healthy; because that is what will make you happy. Enjoy yourself this summer. Hang out with friends, go out to restaurants with and eat however you want. Go to summer carnivals and festivals. Spend time at the beach and be proud of your body. Be proud of yourself for staying healthy and for loving yourself. Let this be the summer that embodies your happiness and health. Let this be the summer when your body doesn’t control your plans. This summer, just like every other season of the year, is about your happiness and health; so enjoy it!