Once the snow melts and the flowers begin to bloom most people have one thing on their mind: summer. Then there's a moment of reflection on one's diet habits during the holidays and wintertime. So you gained a few pounds, who cares? You do. That is why people go to the extremes in order to get the perfect "summer body." After all, isn't summer all about skimpy shorts and crop tops according to every fashion magazine? At least, that's what everyone else seems to be wearing, and unless you could really care less, you want to fit in, even just a little.

So the whole "thin is in" trend is not okay. It is not healthy. I personally have gone to extreme measures to get the ever so coveted summer body. I had relapsed and given my eating disorder full control over my body, and though the compliments made me feel fantastic, my health was not.

I'll tell you what is "in", though. "Strong is sexy" is what some people are calling it, and I couldn't agree more. That winter weight? No problem. Go for walks around your neighborhood, do some squats, sign up at a local gym, take classes that you feel would benefit you. Don't do it because you want to be thin, do it because you want to be strong and healthy.

With that being said, I would now like to focus on the body-shaming that unfortunately goes on during "summer body season." I'm not going to get into a heated rant and roast all of those that do body shame. Instead, I am going to applaud those that pay no mind to the comments or stares aimed in their direction.

To the girl that just lost a significant amount of weight, a huge milestone, you finally feel comfortable enough to wear a bathing suit for the first time in a long time, and you are slaying the scene!

To the woman who just had a child, who said you couldn't own that bikini? You are glowing, and you look fan-freaking-tastic.

To the guy wearing a speedo, props to you, my friend! It takes a lot of guts to wear one of those, and you strut that nice body of yours and show how good you look in it.

To those who feel so sexualized that they have to wear a t-shirt because they have a bigger chest, take that shirt off! Own what you have and flaunt it.

To the ones who have been too self-conscious to wear a bathing suit in years, I encourage you to go out and buy one. It doesn't have to be expensive or skin tight, it just has to be what you would like to wear. Now that you've purchased that new suit, go jump into the water, it's missed you.

To those who have stretch marks, scars, skin conditions (unless you aren't able to be out in the sun), birth marks, etc., I challenge you to wear a bathing suit this summer.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could all just come together, wearing what we want, and accept each other? No body shaming, no extreme dieting, and no t-shirts to hide underneath. So what if we're not "perfect." I'll tell you a secret: Perfect doesn't exist. Even if someone has been labeled as having a "perfect" body, that doesn't necessarily mean that they feel that way. They may have, like I did, gone to extreme measures to show a certain amount of skin, have a flat stomach, smaller thighs, etc. That's not healthy. I cannot stress how unhealthy this fad is. Exercising is one thing, but excessive exercising and starving will only lead to health problems involving your heart, and you'll physically feel weak and worn out when the day finally comes and your body runs out of fuel.

So think about this before you stress about getting that perfect summer body that all of the celebrities are flaunting... Why do you need to look like that? Your clothes fit you, you want to be out in the nice weather, maybe get a tan, sink your toes in the sand, and enjoy the water. Who cares what the Kardashians look like? We all know that it's 100% plastic.

One last question, and give me your honest answer. Would you like to be a Barbie doll or a human being?

You're beautiful. Truly. From the inside and the outside. At the end of the day, that's all that matters. Learn to embrace your beauty and love yourself, because you're pretty incredible.