I think one of the toughest mountains to hurdle after having a baby, or in general for women is the dreaded bathing suit. Unfortunately for most, it is all but inevitable. After all, there’s an entire season dedicated to it and if that weren’t enough, it’s permitted to go away during the colder months strictly so you can wear one in another country (right??).
For me, swimsuits are not about hitting the beach. I do like to head to the beach but it’s not one of my favourite past-times. Not so much because I’m self-conscious about my body so much as the fact that there is only so much time I can sit still on the beach trying to tan my pasty skin before I get antsy and need to move around.
Yes, this is what I wear. Can ANYONE point me to one piece suits that fit long torso’s???
Nope…for me, swim suit season is now about a bathing suit, a pair of goggles and the open water in the pool. I haven’t been in about a year now. I’m itching to go and if the stars line up properly, TONIGHT is the night I head back and get schooled royally in the lap pool. I’m beyond excited to go. And after two kids, and lots of self-image issues, I’m happy to say that I’m not fretting at all about how I will look in my bathing suit. Not because I think I’ll look fab and not because I plan on wearing a sign that says “had baby 4 months ago, how good would YOU look!”. Nope, I’m not worrying about it because I don’t want some stupid piece of clothing preventing me from doing something that I enjoy. I used to be enslaved to such notions and after my experiences as a parent and as a women, I don’t see the need to fall victim to them any longer. So loose skin, cellulite and mum bum in tow, off, off, off to the pool I shall (hopefully) go!
Now that’s empowerment.
How do YOU feel about swimsuits. Are they a deterrent to you or simply an accessory that helps you accomplish a goal?
Yes yes yes! You rock that fit momma body
I have mixed feelings about swimwear. part of me is self conscious and part of me doesn’t care. I guess it depends on where I am and who I am with!
Bathing suit season to me means both laying out on the beach and training in the pool. I love it! Yes I am self consious about my body, what girl isnt? But I suck it up and have a good time.
I really use to feel self conscious. I will not lie, the baby bumpin’ belly was’t making me feel uber confident to strut it at the pool with all the string bikini moms and pimped out dads at the community pool. But the truth is, I did it anyway, had so much fun with the kids, that all my fears went out the door. Inhibitions are now gone!
I realized that I’m an example to my children. That’s all that matters. I’m not defined by numbers on scales, hail damage, or the size of my suit.
After that, I get excited to go swim and get in the suit!
How about you all?
I’m very self-conscious about wearing a swimsuit, especially since becoming a mom. But then I look back on my pre-baby days when I was thin and in great shape, and you know what? I was self-conscious then, too.
Living in Miami is a blessing and a curse when it comes to this. Take a look around the beach and half the women have bodies so perfect it makes me want to put on a trash bag and call it a day. But the funny thing is, the other half (with bodies that are FAR from perfect) are just as comfortable wearing skimpy clothes and swimsuits, maybe even more so. It makes you want to high-five all those ladies (and men) who wear what they want and don’t care what anyone thinks of their appearance!
I’m still self conscious about wearing a suit but it’s a necessity for swimming in the pool
and I’d rather improve my swimming than worry about what other people think. I’ve come a long way in the last year with regards to body image.
I guess I’m of the mindset that I don’t care. Like you, I have to wear a suit so I can swim and improve my endurance. So it’s just something I wear to workout.
I’m not a big fan of swimsuits in general, but I don’t let that stop me from having fun during the summer. My body is the only one I got and I’m constantly working to make it better, so no one can make me feel bad about myself!
Since I started working out regularly, swimsuit season has been less stressful for me, but if you find anything for a long torso, I would LOVE to know about it. That’s my biggest problem.
I don’t have a six pack and I don’t have a man belly. I’m a blender. Which, to me, means I just blend in with the crowd. No one is going to say “look at that hot dude” and I (don’t think) anyone says “OMG. Put your shirt back on.” That’s fine with me. I’m comfortable with who I am and I’m at the beach/pool to swim, not be on the cover of a magazine. Unless it’s Runner’s World, then I’d be cool with it.
Great post!
Great attitude about it!
I’m not a fan of swimsuits yet, and haven’t adopted your awesome attitude. They are a means to an end for me.