As a young kid, I was always normal-sized and healthy. Around 4th grade I started becoming chubbier, and I think 5th grade was the first time I was told I had a “double chin” by a boy who was a year younger than me. I was incessantly teased about my weight all throughout 6th and 7th grade by the same group of boys, and eventually transferred into a small magnet school within my middle school. I didn’t completely escape their bullying, and even up until recently I’ve still been reminded that I’ve got excess fat on my body.

I’ve never been able to see myself as pretty, and I can’t remember a single time in my life where I’ve felt 100% comfortable in my own skin. I can’t help but believe every word those guys in middle school told me nearly every day: chub chub, fatty, elephant.

It’s my turn to take back my body, my life, and my self-esteem.

I don’t want to give them a single reason to taunt me or put me down. I’m taking back control and finally giving myself the chance to feel good about every inch of my body.