The perfect body? I'm far from it. And I'm perfectly fine with that.

As I stood in front of my mirror, nude, this morning, I found myself examining every inch of my body. I wasn’t looking for atypical moles or unusual bumps. No. I was looking at my hips, and how wide they’ve gotten over the last year. I stared at my legs, and wished they were thicker and toned. My arms could use a workout. And my waist? I’d say 100 reps of ab workouts for 6 months, every day, would perhaps get my waist and abs to the shape I’d like them to be in. As for my butt, I can only dream of having something that resembled a Kim or Jennifer butt (Kardashian and Lopez, duh).

I turned sideways, still looking at myself, and sucked in my belly. Still holding my breath, I stuck out my butt and chest and stood on my tippy toes as to flex my calves. Much better. I could live with looking like this, I thought to myself. If only I could breathe and this position were comfortable.

When I finally exhaled, everything went back to its place. And there I was, all 5 foot 1 3/4 inches of me, weighing 110 pounds, with not-so-large breasts, what I like to call a “kangaroo pouch” (You know, girls, that little pouch in the lower abdomen), thin legs, a small butt that could be perkier and arms that were begging for dumbbells.

I sucked my teeth and sighed. Then ... I smirked.

Twenty years ago, women in this country wished for the perfect body. Back then, it was a tiny frame, thin legs, big boobs and a small butt. Today, women in this country still wish for the perfect body. This time, it’s thick legs, a big butt, big boobs and a six-pack. People think they’ve done a terrific job by saying real women have curves. But, wait. I don’t have much curves. And heck yes, I’m a real woman.

I have NONE of the qualities of today’s “perfect body.” And though sometimes the societal norms may cross my mind, I’m proud to say I’m content with my body. More than content, I’m HAPPY with it. I’m no Beyonce, Kim, Jennifer, Giselle or Scarlett. I’m a “Zai,” and that’s A-okay with me.