Just BE.

Lately I've seen a ton of articles come across my Facebook newsfeed about plus-size women. 

Some women speak out about how they have no self-esteeem, how they are embarrassed in life because people make fun of them for being plus-size, and on the flip-side, others talk about how they actually love themselves even more for being that way.

I've technically been plus-sized since high school - which means a size 12 or above. 

{And sidenote - a size 12?!  Come on...the average woman is a size 14! But I digress...}

Here's MY take on the entire situation:

You can ACCEPT yourself, extra few pounds and all.
You can LOVE yourself, just the way you are.
You can BE the person you want to be.
You can TREAT others with kindness and respect, because everyone deserves that.
You can LIVE your life the way you want to.
You can be HAPPY and surround yourself with great people that believe in you.

Being overweight doesn't prohibit you from leading and living your life.

Only YOU can prevent yourself from doing that. 

If you're driven by your own insecurities and jaded spirit, then YOU'll create that life for yourself (or lack of, rather).

And to the women that flaunt their plus-size bodies and believe that the world needs to see allllllll of that? 

They don't. 

There's so much beauty in wearing clothes that fit appropriately and show off your best assets.

And one more thing - no one wakes up saying "yay, today I'm going to be overweight!" Or "yay, I've always wanted to be plus-size".

{And if they do, there's something mentally wrong with them lol.}

You can ACCEPT yourself the way you are, and still want to better yourself.  You can BE plus-size and still be healthy and active. It depends on how you eat, exercise, etc.  But the key is really being HEALTHY no matter what size you are!

I've been very fortunate in life - despite being overweight, I've had low blood pressure, low bad cholesterol and high good, normal sugar levels, etc, but not every overweight person can say that.

For me, I do what I need to FEEL good - I'm a HUGE proponent of clean eating, and I can honestly say that has changed my life in so many ways.  It just makes you feel so good, knowing that you're eating to fuel your body with certain nutrients and not putting garbage in it for the sake of satisfying a carb or sweet tooth craving.

Anyway, go and just BE! 

Be HEALTHY.
Be HAPPY.
And LOVE yourself.

No matter what size!