Feel Beautiful and Be Beautiful This Summer

Forget what's on the covers of magazines—here's how to love your looksby Caitlyn KaneAround this time every year, the stresses of transforming your body within the few dwindling weeks before summer is a common concern for women.  Odds are, you have read one of the many articles that give “how to tips” on getting that perfect summer “bod”…the articles which are strategically placed in all of the magazines in almost every drugstore.  It’s also very likely that you feel pretty crummy after reading them.“Whenever I see health magazines in Duane Reade, I always feel discouraged to make any beach plans for the summer.  I’m not a twig like the girls on the cover, but I’m nowhere near fat either.  Just because I have curves I feel like I’m not as desirable as those girls on the cover. I guess you could say it’s easier for me to say I have confidence than to actually feel it,” says Sandra Mirto, a senior in the Childhood Education program.  So, unless you are a model with a perfect set of abs and long, lean legs, reading these articles can easily leave you feeling glum about the way you look.  But DON'T LET IT.Allowing yourself to feel lousy because your body doesn't reflect every perfect curve of the ladies on those covers isn’t healthy.  And it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t love yourself and your body this summer.  Embracing who you are, and how you look may not be the easiest task to accomplish, but it certainly is something that is worth striving for.   Here are a few helpful tips on how to embrace your beautiful body this summer!First: Don’t criticize others.  Whether it is verbally or mentally, insulting the appearance of others does not make it any easier for you to embrace your body.Second: Decide on your ideal body weight.  Figuring out a realistic weight will help you set a goal and accept the lifestyle changes you need to make in order to obtain the right weight.Third: Stay happy! Accept yourself, even if every aspect of your body doesn’t reflect the magazine covers.And remember, whether you’re a size 0 or a 12, you are beautiful both inside and out!  Have fun this summer, you look amazing!