Ever since I was in second grade I was told I was "fat", Can you imagine a second grader being told they are fat by their "peers"?! As I got older I was still called "fat" or "too big" and that I shouldn't wear certain clothes. I was told not to wear shorts, bikinis, or even tank tops. God forbid if it was hot out and I wanted to wear shorts and a tank when I was in elementary school, people would act like the world was ending. I have been teased my entire life. To this day, people comment about my weight as well as my family. At this point in my life I don't care what people think but I do care what my family thinks. Family should be supportive and kind, not discouraging, pushy, or downgrading your methods or lifestyle. All my life I have had a problem with my weight, I know that, I don't need other people telling me what I already know.

I have always had a difficult time losing weight. No matter what I do I just cannot seem to lose the weight I want to. I work out, I eat my veggies and my fruits. I eat balanced meals and I drink a ton of water. But I have such a hard time losing weight and statistically, women have a harder time losing weight than men do. But I'm a fighter, I am an optimistic person, and I believe anything is possible if you just put your mind to it. But let me tell you one thing, I am not fat. I am a healthy human being who just happens to have an extremely hard time losing weight. Stop telling me to lose weight when I have been trying for years to accomplish my weight goals. No matter what I do I could maybe lose one or two pounds in three to five months.

I love my body. Thanks to CHAARG and all the amazing women I have met and talked to along the way, I have learned to love myself and my body. I HATED looking in the mirror before CHAARG, and now I embrace myself and my look. Sometimes I get so happy about my look or my outfit that I take these things called selfies, crazy right?! I have accepted myself and I have accepted my body but that doesn't mean that I'm still not trying to lose weight. A few years ago when I lived with my mom for a summer I lost two pant sizes and went down a shirt size in two and a half months. But I didn't really do it in a healthy way, I didn't eat and when I did it was maybe one or two times a day and it would be a salad or something else that was light. But as soon as I came back to school I gained a pant size back and went back up a shirt size.

I have learned that it's not always about losing weight but it's about being healthy and happy. I believe I am healthy and I am definitely happy. I am happier now at 24 years old than I have ever been in my life. I have a support system for the first time in my life and I have people wanting to help me and cheer me on. I can look upon a group of women that are working towards different goals and that will listen to me and try to help me. I am grateful for everyone that has helped me and everyone that has cheered me on.

So, stop telling me to lose weight, stop telling me I'm fat, and please stop telling me what I can and cannot wear according to my size.