I have always struggled with body image. Despite being a thinner person (thanks for the awesome genes mom) I have dealt with weight issues and feeling not good enough in the skin I'm in. I struggled a lot with it in high school, leading to my needing to go see a therapist about it multiple times, and though I am much better now in college, I feel like no one ever completely loses the thoughts that come with having poor body image. Though I will always continue to struggle to believe the words I am about to say regarding myself and my own body, I would still like to express this one thing to anyone else who has struggled with body image; you are perfect the way you are.
Being in college means your body will go through a lot of changes. The freshman 15 is a possible thing, but there are other healthier reasons you will gain weight. Maybe you're finally growing into the adult body that you are going to have for the rest of your life. I for one have grown an inch in the past two years (lord knows how), and I have developed more curves than I ever used to have. And that is completely ok. You're not a kid anymore. You're a grown adult and thus your body is going to begin to reflect that. No matter what bodily changes may occur during college, I am here to say that you are absolutely stunning the way you are.
Furthermore, your workout schedule will change a lot without having sports. I ran cross country in high school, and coming to college my running suffered. I would go through bouts of running, and then bouts of doing nothing, and then bouts of going to the gym and doing everything but running. I now am completely happy being a runner again, and finding my foot in the sport I grew up loving. However, figuring out your relationship with exercise and fitness, and the bodily changes that journey will come with is completely ok. I know it's hard going from a year-round athlete to having your workout opportunities completely to your choosing, but I am here to say that you are strong and gorgeous the way you are.
You also will struggle with food and healthy eating. And by healthy eating, I don't mean just eating salads for every meal (though if you want to do that then kudos to you). I mean figuring out what to eat without your parents around to feed you, and how to best fuel your body to get you through your day. In my struggles I've discovered I'm hypoglycemic and thus need to eat a little more or else my blood sugar will get too low and it'll be hard for me to function. Whatever you may find out about yourself, still eat that pizza from Cosmos, or order Fat Shack at 1am (the best time to order Fat Shack) because those places are delicious and you are just as perfect when eating them as when you are eating a salad.
Finally, I know college will bring stress and emotions that may be hard to deal with. I know that there will be times where getting out of bed will be hard, or where going to sleep is the last thing from your mind. I am here to tell you that everything is going to be ok. College is different, college is stressful, but through it all, you will prevail. You are a gorgeous, perfect person with so much going for you, and so much ahead. Nothing will ever change that, not any bodily changes, not any life changes either.
