All the media seems to show now-a-days are people who wear a size zero in skimpy clothing. While I don't want to put these people down, a Victoria Secret body is not realistic for most of us. Others have always considered me tall and skinny. It's hard to see yourself as skinny when you wear a size eight compared to a VS model. When they do show girls who are not VS models, they are always said to be "plus-sized models." I just don't understand why we have to have this negative connotation towards someone who has some curves. This is a problem for guys too. If you don't have rock hard abs like Channing Tatum, you aren't seen as in shape or good enough. I'll admit it, I really struggle with comparing myself to people like Selena Gomez and Blake Lively, but it's just not realistic. We need to stop body shaming and start accepting the various body shapes that God gave us to have. Because in his eyes we are perfect the way we are. The sad thing is media portrays the "perfect body", but as a society, we are the ones that act on this notion and put it into effect.

Now that summer has arrived or is going to be here soon for most of us, we all want to look good in our sundresses, swimsuits, tank tops and high-waisted shorts. It is okay to want to get in shape and make changes to your lifestyle in order to feel good about yourself. The thing you have to remember is that you should only do something that will make you happy. Don't start working out harder because you want to look good for someone else, do it because you want to look better for yourself. You also cannot take things to the extreme. I think it's important to love your body and any of the flaws that might come with it. In the end, it's not a flaw, it's how God created you to be: unique.

So you really do want to get in shape for your own benefit? That's great! But make sure you listen to your body. Make sure that you take days off from workouts in order to let your body rest. I personally think eating healthy is the hardest part of getting in shape. I used to be so hard on myself if I had a cheat meal and I would make myself workout again and again until I felt that I had worked it off or I would tell myself that I just wouldn't eat the next day. It doesn't work that way. Let yourself indulge a little in that ice cream. The more you restrict yourself, the less likely you will enjoy eating and the more likely you'll fall off your path to the summer body that you want. I have learned that if I eat a bad meal, it's okay. It is more important to be happy rather than to be stressed out trying to get the perfect physical summer body that isn't always attainable. I have learned that it is more important to learn to love your body and to take care of it than it is to restrict your diet and overwork your body to try and attain a body that is just not possible with your body structure. My ribs stick out pretty far, so it's not possible for me to have the perfectly flat stomach like you see most models have. Like I said before, I'm not putting them down. With their hard work and the body they were given, they have what society considers a perfect body and there is nothing wrong with them. We will all always have different body shapes mainly because we were born with different body structures.

I believe we need to start listening more to our bodies than to society. Take care of yourself. Our summer body should be about the adventures we take and not the jean size we wear. My summer body is no longer a size that I want to be. It is the feeling I have when I put on an outfit and feel good about myself because I've been eating right, exercising, and taking care of myself. My summer body is the sore muscles after riding bikes with the family. It also consists of many freckles from pool days with my friends. My summer body is exhausted after a day full of running around and having fun with the kids I nanny. My perfect summer body is the feeling of pure happiness and love from getting to spend time with my family and friends.

It's okay if you are not completely happy with your body right now. I still see flaws in myself. But the best feeling is learning to love your body and soon you can start to see how your flaws make you. The more you love yourself, the better you will be at taking care of your body, which spirals into making you feel even better about yourself. Stop watching the scale every day. Stop making yourself feel guilty after having a bowl of ice cream. Stop comparing yourself to other people. Whether you have to body of a VS model or you have curves, you were made to be you and no one else. Start thinking about all the great things your body has allowed you to do. Enjoy the body and life you were given. Allow your summer body to be happy memories of time spent exploring, being adventurous, or simply hanging out with friends and family instead of a dress size you want to be.