To the one who constantly checks, it's just a number. To the one who constantly counts, it's just a number. To the one who always worries about that number, you are beautiful.
Growing up, I never was self-conscious about my body or weight. I was reassured throughout my life that I was beautiful and that what really mattered was on the inside in my heart. It wasn't until I began high school that I began noticing that I was different than the other girls--or so I thought. The perfect girl to me had long brown wavy hair, a clear complexion, a golden skin color, and the "perfect body". She danced, she sang, she was outgoing, she had a boyfriend and she loved hanging out with her friends. She had it all. Or at least she had what I didn't.
By the time senior year came around, I was suddenly growing tired of feeling so bad about myself. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands and begin a weight-loss program. When I saw results, I grinned from ear to ear. When my weight fluctuated, I never forgave myself. I followed women on Instagram and Facebook who had dedicated their lives to living a "healthy" lifestyle through their own weight-loss program. I had become completely consumed by this vast ocean that began to pull me under.
Although I did see changes in my body, and the number decreased, I was still disappointed with how I felt about myself. I would constantly be at battle with myself about a particular part of my body, what I was going to eat that night, whether or not I should snack and when I should just give up. Finally, I had had enough. I was tired. I was worn out. I was no longer desiring what everyone else seemed to have.
To the one who constantly checks, the number does not define you. It does not give you worth. it does not give you value. To the one who constantly counts, it's just another number that is making your life miserable. To the one who always worries about those numbers, you are beautiful.
It's time that we speak out for those who are struggling with their own self-image, especially women. Growing up in a society that creates a competition for women to compete with each other, it's hard to understand that we should not only be lifting other women up but loving them like they should be loved. We aren't defined by a number that is on a machine. We are defined by the number of lives we touch, the number of prayers we pray, the number of times we say, "I love you" in a day, and the number of times we choose to love ourselves. It's a hard thing to cling to, self-worth, but, once you've noticed others' self-worth, you're not very far behind.
