This summer I've changed a lot. I've changed my habits, I've changed how I view myself, and I've even changed how I look. A lot of people think that just because we only have one life to live, that means that eating poorly, skipping workouts and regretting decisions the next day is the way to live life. This summer, I decided to change how I view my life, and more importantly how I view myself, by working on myself a lot.

I never knew how much I hated my body until I stopped hating it. I realize now, after having lost fifteen pounds this summer, that I bought nearly all of my clothes many sizes too big. Now, as I'm searching for sweatshirts to wear, I drown in all of them. I can't find a single even somewhat form-fitted sweatshirt or t-shirt to wear on days when I'm feeling #bodypositive. It's horrible, and now I'm learning to love shopping for tighter clothes that actually fit my body.

I used to hate running and working out. Now, I feel incomplete on days without my daily run. I'm happier, and so much more in shape than I ever have been before, my varsity soccer days included. It's an amazing feeling to have muscular thighs instead of flabby ones, and to not huff and puff climbing up the stairs in my house. Every time I PR in milage or in my times, I get an irreplaceable feeling of accomplishment, and that alone is worth every horrible, cramp-filled, 85 degree, miserable run I've ever done.

I have more energy, I'm happier, and I'm healthier. Whether it's the fact that I'm eating virtually no junk food, or the fact that I'm working out, it's amazing to not feel like napping all the time, and to actually want to accomplish things. Working on myself this summer has been the best decision I have ever made. Now, all of these great things that I've started doing have become habits, and I've vowed to myself to never again let myself be unhappy with my body, or with how in-shape I am. There's always something I can do to change how I feel about myself, and now, I always will make the necessary changes. I love myself now, and I'm finally starting to love my body. Trust me, it's been worth all of the temptations, denied cookies, and difficult workouts, I promise.