I am not skinny. I am not fat. I am what's become known in the fashion industry as an "in-betweener". In US sizes, I am a 12-14 (which, by the way, is the average size of a woman in the US); so if I shop in "normal" people stores, I am usually the biggest size they have. If I shop in plus-sized stores, I'm usually the smallest size they have. It's infuriating. In middle school, I would get upset because I couldn't shop in stores like Hollister or American Eagle because their clothes barely (or just plain didn't) fit me. If I did go in and something did fit, I would get dirty looks because I had to buy the biggest size they carried. I know that I'm not the only girl who has experienced this, so I thought I'd share a few things I've struggled with as in "in-betweener".

Before I get into this, I'd like to clarify that I do not think I am fat. I love my body just the way it is. Could I stand to lose a few pounds? Yes. Would my life be better if I was thin? No. But it would be better if the world didn't treat me differently because I'm not.

1. Eating around other people.

This is probably one of the things I struggle with the most. I'm the first one to admit that I love food. I love to eat healthy foods. However, I also love cheesy fries, burgers, and all the other foods that are considered "junk food". I always have a hard time figuring out what to order when I'm out with friends. Thoughts like, "What is everyone else getting? Should I listen to my inner skinny girl and get a salad and be healthy? Or should I embrace my inner fat girl and get the big, juicy burger with lots of fries? What if no one else gets a big meal?" run through my head. "You don't want to be the fat one who gets loads of carbs. Then people would think you're fat, even though you're not... but you're not skinny either... You know what? Whatever. I'm getting the fried chicken salad. I'll probably have a snack when I get home anyways."

2. Pictures of yourself.

Whenever I see pictures of myself with my friends, I look HUGE in next to them. Now that is partially due to the fact that I am a giant in comparison (even though I am only 5'7"), but because most of my friends are super skinny, I look like the DFF (designated fat friend). Even though I do not think I am fat, it's odd to see yourself in pictures where you are surrounded by slim-fit beauties. On the opposite hand, it's weird to see yourself in pictures surrounded by bigger people too, because then you look skinnier than you are.

3. Swimsuit season.

I think that everyone - men and women - struggle with body image during the summer. For me, I have issues trying to decide whether to wear a bikini and have everyone stare at me because I don't have a "bikini body" or to wear a one piece and avoid the attention. On one hand, you don't want to have to suck in your gut the whole time you're wearing the suit, but on the other hand, you love your body and want to show it off. Decisions, decisions.

If you're another "inbetweener", I understand. I get it. In reality, we should love our bodies and cherish them because we only get one. I exercise, I try to eat healthy, and as long as I know I'm taking care of it, it will take care of me. Taking care of your body doesn't mean you are thin; you can be thin and be unhealthy, just as you can be bigger and be perfectly healthy. I also want to say this to everyone: IT IS OKAY TO EAT JUNK FOOD ONCE AND A WHILE. I get so frustrated when I see anyone - skinny or bigger - refuse to ever indulge in the sweet goodness of junk food once and a while just because they so terrified of being fat. This is our problem as a society; we are so horrified by being "fat" that we treat those who are differently. It needs to stop. So here's my message to you: Love yourself. Your whole self. Mind, body, and soul. There is only one of you, and to quote Dr. Seuss, "Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you."