So what if my arms are big?

I've recently started to wear sleeveless clothes, something I would never have imagined doing a few years ago. I'm not the skinniest girl, so naturally I notice the size of my arms in my reflection. Once during internship a male colleague commented that my arms could use a bit of toning up. At the time I brushed it off with a joke, but now that I'm wearing sleeveless clothes more often I'm reminded of the comment. Which, come on, anyone can admit was totally unnecessary.

Telling someone they need to lose weight for any reason other than health is probably the douchiest thing you could ever do. I am so tired of hearing girls say, "I need to go on a diet." Er, why?! If your heart or liver doesn't depend on you losing a few kilos then why do we as females (and even some males) feel the need to lose weight all the time? Saying "I need to lose weight" when you're already perfectly healthy only allows people, including yourself, to believe that beauty is defined by your waistline.

Would you want your daughter, sister, mother, girlfriend, wife, to think this way? Do you want them believing that their beauty is limited to a number on a scale, whether they can fit into that dress, or whether they look good in skinny jeans?

That girl on Instagram with the flat stomach? She's gonna grow old and get frown lines same as you. That gorgeous Tumblr model with the flawless skin? She's probably struggling to be on time for school just like you are.  Even Gweneth Paltrow can't have silky blonde hair forever. Our bodies do not define who we are or who we can be, because they don't last. Your true beauty - the way you make people laugh, your affinity for music, how no one can beat your apple pie -  that's something no one can take away.

Now that I'm turning 20 I refuse to bring the baggage of my teenage years with me into adulthood.  I am the only person with the power to make me feel less than I should, so I just told me to shut up.

Yes, I have tummy rings, and yes I have cellulite. But who cares? The size of my arms don't affect anyone. The only person whose opinion matters is yours. I wanna see more girls with bigger arms, curvier bodies and wider girths wearing whatever the heck they want. Singapore is HOT, so why should the skinny girls be the only ones in tank tops?