A couple of years ago I went through a strange phase of insecurity and awkwardness. After all, I was in eighth grade, and who knows who they are that age??

I was growing physically and mentally, but yet I still had my baby fat. I was ignorant and uneducated about most things health and wellness, therefore, I believed the only way to cut my baby fat was to crash diet. That meaning, smaller portions and cutting all carbs and sugars. Little did I know, it wasn't helping me at all, and was actually causing my body to hold on to the fat.

This dieting caused me to see myself in a negative image, and I was unhappy. While my friends were snacking on chips and cookies, I was thinking about the effect it would have on my body if I was to eat them! It was no way to live, especially at such a young age.

Honestly, it was kind of annoying. I was constantly counting calories and feeling guilty for eating certain foods, it was exhausting. I even had an app to track my calories. I would skip out on desserts at school functions, and I wouldn't have sour cream or cheese on my Chipotle bowl. How lame!

After a year or two, I finally realized that this method was not working for me. I stopped caring so much about what I was eating, but still kept it healthy. Instead of 90% cardio at the gym, I cut it down to 10% and focused more on strength. My meals primarily consisted of a carb, a vegetable, and a protein. I felt good, healthy. I wasn't afraid to crush a cookout tray or eat half a gallon of ice cream. I was no longer afraid of pasta, and I couldn't tell you how many calories I had per day, I didn't care anymore.

Now that I look back, I realize that the stress and unhappiness that was caused by dieting did not benefit me one bit. Didn't benefit my body, or my mind. My body did not look any different whatsoever, and I had missed out on all those yummy foods. And who am I kidding, I want to be a Chef, I can't NOT eat certain things. I have to eat everything!

What's the point? Life is too short. There is no reason to miss out on the cultures of the world and the foods it has to offer. So, stop worrying about your self-image and how that one Shake Shack burger will affect you. PLOT TWIST, it won't. You are beautiful no matter the foods you eat, and you are forever made in God's image!

So, eat that cookie (or burger, or ice cream, or cronut, whatever!!!!)

GO FOR IT!!!!!