Every goddess worth her weight in sunscreen knows that along with sunshine and the promise of poolside cocktails, swim season brings with it body struggles of all shapes and sizes. Bikini or one-piece swimsuit? Printed or solid? Too much coverage or not enough? Enough!
Here’s the truth: Everyone wrestles with body acceptance. While some of us feel our butts are too big, others worry their boobs are too small. Positive body image is really all in the way we see ourselves.
Parading around in what’s basically a waterproof version of your skivvies is a tall order for anybody—plus size, petite and everyone in between. Bottom line: Body confidence is something we’re all working towards, one swimsuit season at a time. And with a little support, we’ll get there together.
Flaunt it. Own it. Work it. Please be body positive, people. You got this! Here’s what you need to remember:
1. Practice makes perfect.
First time in a bikini post-baby? New one-piece with cool cutouts? Try them on at home first. Walk around, lounge on the sofa, get a feel for the suit and how the suit feels on your body. Taking your swimwear on a test drive before taking the plunge will make the lap around the pool a lot less stressful.
2. Negotiate with the negative.
Staying body positive isn’t a one-night stand; it’s a long-term commitment. Accept the imperfections—we’ve all got them!—and focus on the good stuff. Got great gams? Get it, girl. Let the world see them. Have arms that rival FLOTUS? Flex ’em loud and proud. Showing off what you love about yourself is always a good fit.
3. Three letters are worse than four.
Repeat after us: “I will never say the F-word.” For starters, let’s replace “fat” with “fab.”
“Do I look fab in this?” makes the same point and is way more palatable. Plus, it ranks high on the body positivity scale. Seriously, you’re done. Banish the F-word forever.
4. Beyoncé knows best.
Flawless. It’s quite the statement. But that kind of bold declaration—whatever word you choose—is an easy way to start the body positive conversation with yourself. Body acceptance starts from the inside and to change the way you see yourself, you’ve got to start with the way you feel about yourself. What word would you use to describe yourself? What word best describes how you want to see yourself? And when has Beyoncé ever been wrong?
5. Know that the struggle is real.
The sisterhood of the troubling suit is a real one. For every moment you’re sweating the swimwear stuff, there’s a woman fighting harder than you are. See someone who looks great lounging poolside? Throw her a compliment. Let her know she looks great. Seeing her smile, a little more confident in her own skin, will boost your mood, too. Nothing is sexier than confidence—not even an itsy bitsy teeny weenie yellow polka dot bikini.
