If I were writing this article to you six months ago, I would tell you that I don't like to look in the mirror when I get dressed. I also don't particularly like to wear shorts or leggings. It's extremely rare that I don't cry when I go shopping for jeans with my mom. My room is constantly covered in clothes because it's not often that I feel okay about an outfit on the first try. When I'm in a room full of girls, all I think about is how maybe if I would have just counted my calories better, maybe I would look like some of them.

But this is not six months ago. Today, I can tell you openly that I struggle with body image, and I can tell you some of the things I've learned on the road to accepting it:

There will still be days where you look in the mirror and it just ruins your whole day.

"My stomach did not look this bad yesterday. Also, will my thighs always be this big?" We're conditioned to point out the worst parts of ourselves, and it's horrible. Try not to let it get to you, and remember that even when it does get to you, that's okay, too.

It does in fact take time to lose weight, no matter how hard core your workouts are.

To be fair, I'm pretty impatient about everything, but the fact that weight loss is not something that involves instant gratification just seems like some bullshit to me.

Cellulite is actually created by Satan.

Trying on swimsuits: sucks. Trying on shorts: sucks. I often wonder why are we in the phase where it's cool to have a big butt, but only if it's perfect the rest of you from the waste down is completely smooth and small. Regardless, the lesson here is that way more people have cellulite than you might realize, so as hard as it is (and in all honesty, I'm not great at this), it's really not something that you should feel bad about.

The workout that makes you happy is the thing you need in your life.

No matter how much weight you do or do not lose, it's an amazing feeling to know that something you like doing is something that makes you feel good, inside and out.

Making that workout a habit can literally change your entire life.

When I was in high school, running laps made me want to die. I was always envious of the people who used running to relieve stress, so about two months ago, I started a couch-to-5k program. I'm still slow and sweat like a sinner in church, but I LOVE IT. After a long day of dealing with people, that time where I just get to focus on myself is exactly what I need. So whether it's running, lifting weights, yoga, or what have you, make it a habit. It will help your body and your soul, I promise you.

When you start to get frustrated while trying on clothes, for the love of God, just leave the dressing room behind.

I have learned that the first time I try something on and it makes me feel bad, everything thereafter is pretty much ruined for me. So instead of subjecting yourself to the peril of the dressing room for another twenty minutes, just leave it behind. If there's something you really liked while you were there, there's nothing wrong with taking a break and trying again later. And on the bright side, it might save you from a hasty impulse purchase.

High fashion magazines and websites are, like cellulite, a creation of the devil.

Lookin' at you, Vogue.

Focus on your small victories rather than trying to do too much at once.

Feel good about a good workout, or the day you chose some fruit over that super good-lookin' cupcake. Unfortunately, you won't have a six-pack the next day, but you can say you conquered the temptation of the pastry (which is something I can rarely claim).

"Cold Turkey" is stupid.

There's a 95 percent chance that when it comes to your calorie intake, it's not the food itself, but how much you're eating. Instead of just deciding you'll never eat it again, maybe only eat that particular food once a week, or cut the serving in half. You'd be surprised at the difference it could make.

In the end, you may not ever be completely comfortable with your outward appearance, so focus on the things that make you feel good and remember that even if you can't see it, you're pretty kickass.