We’ve really done it now. As if society wasn’t enough of a reminder of all our insecurities, social media came and made sure we would constantly be reminded. We are bombarded daily by all the things we don’t have, the images of what we don’t look like and it makes me upset. I see plenty of girls I adore putting themselves down because they aren’t fit or don’t have abs. Believe me, I have those insecurities from time to time. Everyone does. We all have something we don’t like about ourselves, but we can’t focus on those things.

Easier said than done, right? Right. With all the “perfect girls and guys” presented to us, I am still left confused. There are posts that tell me I should love my body while others inspire me to change my body. One minute I am supposed to love my body as it is, but then in another moment I am supposed to strive to have the “perfect” body.

Here is what I think: I am an exercise science major and as part of my curriculum I had to participate in a fitness test twice. I failed both times. At first, I was filled with so much anxiety. I knew I couldn’t pass many of the tests. I felt discouraged and that it wasn’t fair to be graded on this aspect. All my life I have been active, but I was never an athlete. My parents by no means let me sit on the couch all day and watch television. I was always involved in some activity such as dance or swim lessons. I never hard core worked out, but I wasn’t lazy by any means. The first time I ever thought about working out to look good was in college. I wanted to fight the freshman fifteen. Mine actually came as the Sophomore 10. I just can’t believe that could ever happen. So I tried my hardest to like working out so I could look good. I wanted to feel good about myself.

But I have come to realize something deeper in the past couple of years between college weight gain and being an exercise science major. It’s just a body. I never knew why I ever wanted toned abs or to weigh less. I never planned and still don’t plan to show off my body in any sort of way. I don’t wear bikinis or crop tops to show any skin. Why do I need to be so obsessed with something that is so irrelevant? God loves me as I am and I was created in His image. My body is a temple and of course I need to take good care of my body. I am in no way saying don’t exercise or eat right. Those are important things, BUT THEY CAN’T CONTROL YOU. And they definitely don’t define you!

A friend and I were talking about body image and the common girl struggles of weight our freshman year. I told her this,

“I’ll admit that although I do love my body, I sometimes look myself and get a little upset, but then I always think how I don’t need the perfect body. I want people to notice me because of my personality, personal light, and the love I exude. So I’ll remember this every day when I look in the mirror. I will smile and tell myself that I love myself because I do. I was made in God’s image and He wants me to love myself. That’s my motivation from now on. It’s not a number or a look. It’s a feeling that will keep me taking care of my body. STAY BEAUTIFUL!”

Don’t let your looks define you. I know that when people look at you, they see what matters. At least I do and so does God. So love yourself. Love your body, please?