For some, the morning consists of having a coffee before work or doing last minute household chores before the day begins and for others the morning is a time filled with unyielding anxiousness and fear. Fear of what, one might ask? The fear of the number. Those who struggle with this obsession will know exactly what is meant by "the number," because for many of us, the number displayed on that tiny 4 inch by 4 inch box determines not only our mood for the rest of the day, but how we view ourselves in the mirror. Suddenly that confident "hot bod" you felt like you had 5 minutes prior to stepping on the scale isn't so hot anymore and in matters of seconds the way that you once felt about your whole self has changed.

From a recovered anorexic to all of those facing this obsession: STOP IT BEFORE IT STOPS YOU.

Stop this before it makes your iron so low that you are severely anemic or before your body is so malnourished that your individual vertebrates can be counted. Stop before your mind becomes nothing but an endless pit of self-criticism and misery. Be mindful of your weight, so that you can live a healthy life, but do not let the scale become your life. With eating disorders on the rise, it is imperative that we stop focusing on the numbers on our clothes or the numbers on the scale. As most of us young women know, size means nothing especially when it comes to brands like American Eagle and Forever 21. At one place you can be a size 4 and the other a 12.

There are many reasons that people fixate on the scale, one being that it is an issue of personal control. While not everyone feels the need or want to control everything, there are many people who find a somewhat intoxicating comfort in having the total control to change the way that they look by binging/purging, restricting, or over-exercising.

I viewed the scale as a game. A game that only I had the key to win. I would strive every day to reach a lower and lower number, becoming oblivious to the fact that I was depriving myself of the very things necessary to make my body thrive. In one aspect I felt skinnier than ever, but on the other hand, I was killing myself. I was getting more likes than ever on my social media because I was suddenly the "right" size by societal standards, yet I had never felt emotionally and spiritually worse in my life. Suddenly the feeling of being that 00 and fitting into the smallest of clothes wasn't one of pride anymore, but one of misery and weakness.

I challenge those who struggle with the number that they see everyday to do these things:

1. Be realistic.

Don't think that you will suddenly shed weight in a day or even a week. Healthy weight loss takes time. Set goals that are centered around eating better and exercising more, rather than a size or weight that you feel you need to be. Remember muscle weighs more than fat.

2. Be consistent.

If you are going to weigh yourself, make sure that it is around the same time each day and that you are wearing little clothing, so that you can get an accurate amount. Weight can easily fluctuate 3-5 pounds a day, so if you are searching for a good read, you will need to make sure it is at the beginning of the day.

3. Be mindful.

Ask yourself why? Why are you trying to lose weight or change the way that you look? If it is for health reasons or to lead a healthier life, than by all means put those running shoes on! However, if it is because you feel that you need to in order to meet the standards of those around you than don't. This can lead to serious body image issues because you aren't really doing it for you.

4.Be careful.

Anytime you consider changing your diet or exercise routine, it is very very important to make sure that you discuss changes with your doctor. Not everyone is capable to take on a new diet or exercise regimen, so talk with your doctor to avoid any serious injuries.

5. Be yourself and FREAKING LOVE IT.

I cannot preach this enough! You get one body during your life, so make it your #1. Love yourself because you are awesome and you are unique. Love the weird quirks and the awkward parts of yourself that make you the funny and beautiful person that you are. Remember that we all come in different sizes and shapes, so rock the one you got because you truly are one of a kind.

Lastly, stop comparing yourself to the over-edited, filtered, and fake pictures on Instagram. I promise you that 9/10 times those photos look nothing even close to what they look like untouched. Strive to be a better person, not a different one.