To the girl who is trying so hard to be skinny,

I'm that girl. The girl who her whole life has always been the "fat friend." From middle school until now, I've been very self-conscious about my appearance. It really wasn't until my senior year of high school where I decided to actually do something about it. I exercised more and tracked my calorie intake.

By the end of the year, I had lost about 25 pounds.

I was so proud of myself, and I could tell everyone around me was too. Right before I went to my freshman year of college, I loosened up on my diet a little because I was comfortable at the weight I was. Little did I know that it was a mistake.

I didn't really believe the "Freshman 15" was inevitable. I thought I could avoid it, but I didn't. Despite trying so hard by working out almost every day and still counting my calories, I still gave into the unhealthy food pressures that college presents. I don't know how many times I said to myself, "I'll try again on Monday."

By the time Thursday came around I had already cheated on my diet. I was so disappointed in myself and discouraged. It definitely was not easy.

Summer came around, and it was worse than the school year. My workouts decreased and my calories increased. I was also going through a really rough time in my life which did not help. Over the next school year, I gained back all the weight I lost and then some more because I just gave up.

I hated having to count calories and forcing myself to exercise. I couldn't handle it anymore.

Here I am now, still struggling. I said that this summer was going to be the one where cracked down and lost the darn weight. But, this is the hardest thing I've ever done. I can't seem to get away from the same habits I've created over the last year.

I tell myself that I can't have that ice cream or cookies or chocolate, but then I end up caving and eating it. It's hard to want to continue with a healthy lifestyle.

So if you're like me and struggle with your weight, I understand how you feel. Trying to lose weight takes a lot of willpower and strength. I'm here to tell you that we can do it. We just have to keep trying. We can't get discouraged. But most importantly, we have to remember to love ourselves through the process.

A number does not measure the kind of person that we are. We are still wonderful and amazing at any size or shape. But, we cannot give up now. It's time to finally reach that goal, and be happy with ourselves no matter what.