A girl walked into my work one day. Even though she was probably in her late 20s or early 30s, she couldn’t have been more than 90 pounds.

Even with her baggy clothes, you could still see her bony spine protruding from her shirt as she bent down to look at a product. I tried not to stare, but I guess I was just in awe that this person was still alive. She didn’t look human.

Whoever told this poor girl that walking skeletons are sexy was seriously misinformed (ahem…fashion magazines and Megan Fox, I’m talking to you). I really wanted to shake her face and reenact a scene out of Billy Madison, only instead of “stay in school” I would tell her to “eat some food.”

I understand that eating disorders cause some people not to see themselves as skinny. Instead, they scrutinize and magnify every flaw they have. I’m here to tell those who have ever obsessed about their body image to embrace their flaws.

Nobody is perfect. Who cares if you have a little jiggle on your rear or you have a food baby every day of the week? Who cares if you out-ate your boyfriend (and it wasn’t a salad)? I hate to break it to you, but imperfection is a part of life so you might as well embrace it.

Life is too short to obsess about what you had for dinner the night before. Just listen to your body and eat when you’re hungry.

However, maintaining balance is key. Sure there are many with eating disorders but in the United States, obesity is still a major problem. I’m not saying that someone who is 5’4″, 230 pounds and at risk for type II diabetes should just throw up their hands and embrace being obese. I’m just saying that maintaining a healthy lifestyle isn’t easy, so don’t kill yourself if you mess up.

Maybe it’s the Italian in me coming out, but don’t miss out on a good meal for a salad because you’re worried about the calorie content. If you mess up one day, there is always tomorrow. Taking one day at a time is essential to a healthy lifestyle.

If you’re already eating unhealthy and not moving around, then change that. You have the power to eat healthy and exercise if you really want to, but realize that you are only human. You can eat that slice of pizza or have that Ollie’s ice cream cone on occasion. It won’t kill you. But living an overly deprived lifestyle can.

In the case of the girl who came into my work, I truly felt bad for her. Her life was probably consumed with counting calories and working every single one off. What kind of life is that?