In our society, there is a magnifying glass on physical appearance and weight. At this point you are either too skinny, too fat or just perfect. We seem to idolize those who are in shape and the concept of “fitspo” has taken over all social media platforms. So where do we draw the line?

Let’s start with this: if you’re reading this, your body is perfect the way it is. As humans we tend to forget that the human body is our powerhouse. It allows us to do everything we enjoy whether it be hiking, reading a book in bed or devouring five pieces of chocolate cake. It’s the reason we wake up every morning and the reason we are alive. So why do we look down on such an important part of life? From a very young age, we are taught that we need to have certain qualities to be considered “beautiful,” whether this be straight teeth, perfect skin or the right clothes. When do we begin to teach our daughters to love the skin they’re in rather than to compare themselves to everyone we see on the streets? When do we teach them that in the grand scheme of things, worrying about eating the cookie or not wanting to wear a bikini on the beach is nothing but a waste of time.

However, I struggle with things I see quite often and it’s a very controversial part of body shaming and “fat acceptance.” Despite the fact that everyone is perfect the way we are, we seem to be defending those who are at an unhealthy weight. There’s quite the difference between being overweight and being curvy and I think that this gets a bit blurred sometimes. Now, humans come in all shapes, sizes and colors, and that should be celebrated. But we need to stop celebrating those who are putting themselves at risk due to their weight. Being overweight can come with a lot of health concerns such as increased blood pressure, high cholesterol, even heart disease and strokes. Eating a balanced diet and exercising can be quite grueling. I struggle with it everyday. I enjoy eating ice cream out of the pint more than I enjoy eating a salad. I am aware that this is something that I need to change if I want to live a long, healthy life. I want to live my life to the fullest and that means keeping myself in shape and capable of doing many beautiful things. I want to be healthy for myself. I want to be healthy for my unborn children. I want to push myself to do things I couldn’t do before. Whether this be run for a certain amount of time, run in a marathon or hike a more challenging mountain.

I may have a long way to go and if you’re reading this, you might too. All I say is that we try. We try our hardest to be the best that we can be. Stop body shaming someone who is too skinny. The last thing they need to hear is “go eat a cheeseburger.” They could be struggling with an eating disorder or dreaming that they weigh more yet no matter what they eat, they never gain a pound. Stop body shaming someone who has a little bit of curve. Stop body shaming someone who has a little bit of cellulite or stretch marks (I have both and I’m still hot, you are too). They could be trying to change their lifestyle. They could be struggling with an eating disorder or going to the gym every single day, trying their hardest to push themselves. Stop coddling those who are overweight to the point where it poses health concerns. This is not the way to live life. At the end of the day, stop putting pressure on yourself to be what you think is perfect. Try your hardest but never beat yourself up. Have a hard day or just craving desserts? Eat the damn ice cream. Not feeling the gym? We all have those days. Doesn’t mean we are failures. Be proud of who you are because you are one hell of a person.