At the beginning of each year, tons of people make a New Year’s resolution to lose weight. They may say things such as “My hips are too big”, or “I want a flat stomach”, or “I need to work on my figure”, but why can’t they just embrace who they are? The women and girls that you see in magazines or advertisements are not the majority; they’re the minority! According to MSNBC and the New York Times, the average woman in America is a size 14. She is beautiful and has curves.

Women tend to believe that being thin will solve all their problems, but it doesn’t. Being happy is the secret to solving your problems, and you need to be able to embrace who you are. I’m 5’2″ and I have a big butt. I have curves and I love them. I don’t hide my body because I love who I am. I believe that if every woman thought this way then there would be less disordered eating. Embracing who you are is a way to find beauty in yourself.

Every woman has an amazing talent; whether it’s excelling at painting, running, playing an instrument, reading, or something else. If you’re passionate about something that you love to do, you should feel the same about your body. Tell yourself you love being YOU every day – because it will make you much happier than losing a pound.

-Katie