Size 0

Women are subjected to a ridiculous amount of criticism concerning their bodies.  If a woman jiggles in the wrong place or doesn't have the right hair color, then she is likely to try and change these things; why, though?  Why is it such a big deal? Did you know that the average woman weighs around 162 pounds and wears a size 14 (L.A. Times)? Women are pressured to be thin, to be tan, to wear makeup, to wear the right clothes; however, this is an extremely unrealistic goal.

Many average-sized women are having to buy their clothes at plus-size stores, because most stores, namely designer ones, do not even make clothes for the average woman's shape.  Do they expect only skinny people to be fashionable and NORMAL women to be frumpy? Zero is not a size; zero means nothing, nada, zip. So why is society today asking women to conform and be something they're not? I like being something; being nothing is not, and has never been, something I want. 

I'd be lying if I said I didn't struggle with my weight and body image like everyone else, I do; however, the older I get the more I realize that I want to be healthy and independent. I don't want to conform; I like doing my own thing.  So to all of you girls who, like me, look in the mirror and wish they saw something else, tell the world that you don't care what they think; you matter.  If you want to be healthy then great, just do it for you!

I'm not trying to bash the naturally skinny girls; if you are a size 0 or 2 without trying, good for you, but this isn't addressed to you; so, don't be offended.

(This is Glamour's poster child for the average woman; this picture has received laud from all over because a woman of average size was showcased.)

  So, be yourself, because you are beautiful!