Do you even lift? I know I don’t. I’m lucky enough to still have somewhat of an athlete’s metabolism.

Right when I started college, my parents and other relatives told me to watch what I eat when I’m out in the real world. “It’ll catch up to you.” They reminded me frequently, and still do.

Women stress over having the “perfect body” obviously, but so do men; especially when all the bros are posting about their “gains” on Instagram.

*unfollows*

Being in shape and healthy is definitely something you have to work on constantly. As a college student, it’s difficult to buy the healthier foods and make time to either go to the gym, go running or do a couple sit-ups. It’s all about self-motivation and most days I just want to sleep.

I’m starting to believe that mostly everyone that is a hardcore gym fanatic is only doing it so they can look good naked…and it’s probably just to look at themselves in the mirror right before a shower or to post a photo everywhere. I feel like it’s not even about the sports anymore or about the simple idea of staying in shape.

Just like everyone else, my weight fluctuates. Some days I eat my feelings and other days I forget to eat.

“OMG, you’re so skinny!”

“Do you even eat?”

Being asked these questions are so irritating because yes, I know I’m thin, thank you, but you don’t have to comment on it like I’m an endangered species. Yes, I eat, probably more than I should most times.

Skinny shaming is a thing, whether you want to believe it or not. Don’t tell me to eat more. I don’t tell anyone the same thing or to eat less.

There have been a couple times where I felt heavily influenced to have the “perfect” body. One of the times was in eighth grade, almost all of my guy friends were lifting weights and wearing tank tops, broadcasting their three strands of underarm hair; I was a late bloomer.

The other time I felt heavily influenced to have the “perfect” body was the end of my junior year of high school. All of my guy friends were being bumped to varsity sports and I stayed on junior varsity so I actually got playing time. I pushed myself really hard in the weight room and slacked off in school. Competition can get scary.

I realized once I started my senior year that school was way more important than trying to look “perfect” to play a sport that I am definitely not going pro in. I dropped sports once spring semester came around. The only thing I cared about was graduating with a “mediocre” body.

Being healthy has nothing to do with the way you look on the outside. If you’re happy with the way you are and the way you look why should anything else matter?