18 Reasons To Love Your Body Exactly As It Is

If you're a female with a pulse, you've undoubtedly spent far too much time worrying about what your body looks like. Stop it. You are beautiful. Here are 18 reasons to love your body exactly as it is. 

1. It has always supported you.

Even when you criticize it, your body is there for you. It never stops supporting you, whether you want to take a long walk on the beach or climb a mountain. It's pretty badass, so give it the respect it deserves.

Throwback: If you remember 'The Sunscreen Song' from the 1990s, you'll recall that it had some of the best words of advice that have ever been spoken: "Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can; don't be afraid of it, or what other people think of it. It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own." Powerful words. 

2. It's beautiful.

You are you. There is only one you. You are beautiful and unique and lovely and have so much to offer the world. Remember this. Believe it. Live it. 

3. Hating your body is bad for your mental health.

Standing in the mirror and hating what you see every day is terrible for your emotional health. It makes you feel ugly, unworthy, and miserable. Stop this cycle. 

4. You'll be able to focus on health, not size.

Health is important, but people's health goals often get derailed if they aren't losing weight as fast as they'd like. When you start to love your body, you'll be able to focus on being healthy rather than achieving a number on a scale. At the end of the day, being healthy is what truly matters.

5. You only live once.

Sorry to be blunt, but you're going to die one day. Life is short. Do you want to spend that life worrying about a number on a scale, or do you want to live every day as if it were your last?

6. Your self-worth has nothing to do with your appearance.

You have so much to offer your friends and family, and the rest of the world. Your contributions are incredible and they have absolutely nothing to do with the way you look. 

7. You're the only person who is so hard on your body. 

When you hate your body, it's easy to believe that others see it the same way you do. But there's a 100% chance that no one is as hard on your body as you are. Other people see you for the amazing person you are. 

8. ...And anyone else who has a problem with it actually has a problem with themselves.

When people feel the need to judge others and be hateful towards them, that's usually because they have their own insecurities or jealousy issues. Remember that.

9. The 'perfect' body doesn't exist.

If you're spending your life trying to achieve an airbrushed body you see on the cover of a magazine, stop it. Even the celebrities in the magazine don't look like that. You'll never be happy if you're chasing perfection, because perfection doesn't exist.

10. You'll feel sexier.

When you truly love the skin you're in, you'll start to feel sexier. Other people will start to find you sexier, too. Remember – confidence is everything. 

11. You'll regret not appreciating it. 

Not to get repetitive, but 'The Sunscreen Song' spoke to this as well: "Trust me, in 20 years you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now, how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine." 

12. You'll be able to recognize your amazing attributes. 

Once you stop worrying about your size, you'll start to realize all of your amazing attributes. Great hair, great skin, a contagious smile. You get the point. 

13. Trying to be a size you aren't meant to be is exhausting.

Not everyone is designed to be a size 4. Our natural body shape is determined by genetics. Don't fight genetics by spending three hours a day at the gym and depriving yourself of food. 

14. You can be part of a revolution. 

The body positivity movement is taking off in a huge way, with more and more magazines putting average and plus size people on the cover. Social media stars like Megan Jayne Crabbe are at the center of the revolution. It's only going to continue to grow, so be part of it by loving yourself. 

15. You can be like Ashley Graham. 

Plus size model Ashley Graham is stunning, confident, and incredibly sexy. She's been on the cover of Sports Illustrated. She has her own video podcast. She jets around the world going to fashion events. If you ever needed a reminder that beauty comes in all sizes, she's your girl. 

16. You'll finally rock that bikini. 

Every body is a bikini body. Go to the beach, bask in the sun, and rock what your mama gave you. Nowhere on the tag does it say you have to have a six-pack to wear a two-piece swimsuit. 

17. A dress size is such an insignificant thing to worry about. 

Wars, homelessness, and human rights are great things to worry about. A dress size is so insignificant that it doesn't even rank on the chart of things that actually matter. Put your energy towards something better.

18. You'll be able to stop chasing something that once was. 

It's pretty common for women to try to get back to the skinniest size they ever were, but trying to be "high school skinny" in your 30s is absurd. You're not in high school anymore. Bodies change. Hips expand. Embrace the curves.