In today's society, it is common for women to feel insecure. We are constantly reminded of what we are "supposed" to look like, or there is always some fault in our appearance. We are either "too fat," "too skinny," "too muscular," "not muscular enough," "too pale," "too dark," "too short," "too tall," or anything that people can find to throw in our faces. However, what matters the most, which society is often too busy being judgmental to acknowledge, is being in generally good health and taking care of yourself.

I, like most women, feel insecure about my body at times. I am not what society wants women to look like; I do not have a flat stomach, I have stretch marks, I have thick thighs, I am not as toned as I would like to be, the BMI chart as the doctor's office would classify me as "overweight," but I am healthy and take care of my body the best I can. I work out 5-6 days a week and watch what I eat everyday. I have to remind myself of how far I have come and be proud of that. A year ago, I had completely let myself go and was about 30 pounds heavier, never exercised, and my diet was poor as can be. However, I got ahold of myself and started taking care of myself better. I am now in the best shape I've ever been in, which I think is something to be proud of. Though doctors may classify me as being "overweight," I would argue that a good portion of my weight is solid muscle, which I have earned through months of vigorous exercise. Not only that, but I can run for an hour straight without stopping. Who would have ever thought that the girl who tried everything to get out of working out as a child, now loves exercising and can run and lift as much as I can? This is my body, I have worked hard for it. I will continue to work hard and take care of myself, and no matter what, I love myself everyday.

So that's me, I'm what you might call fat and fit. I am not what society wants for women to look like, but I love myself everyday, and I am healthy, so isn't that what matters most? To all you girls who might be reading this, my advice to you in this: be who you want to be, not what others want to see. Be yourself, be proud of yourself, and never let anyone tell you something is wrong with your appearance. Live for yourself and don't let others get in your head and tell you you need to change something or that you should look a certain way. You're all beautiful. As long as you are in good health and are generally happy overall, that is all that matters.