Bathing suit season is upon us. It’s a time that many women dread, as it comes unexpectedly (after a few cold spring months were they vow to do a few more crunches to get ready) and then one day it’s here. But, to be honest, bathing suit season has never really bothered me in the body-image sense. My love of being in the water, of being in a swimsuit to SWIM, that I never paid much attention to any nagging voices that might persuade me that I would not be good enough to wear that swimsuit this year.
But, as I’ve gotten older, and spent more time around women with significant body image issues, I find myself slowly analyzing my body. Post-baby, with 20lbs still lingering on an already-too-big-frame (according to the magical medical science BMI standard), it’s been a little rocky to try and think “hmm, maybe I will stay a size 18, instead of getting back to the 14/16…how would that feel?” and the fear that another baby will make me balloon even more.
But, I’ve got to be honest. The ocean calls. And my love of being in a swimsuit (I used to own 17…as I was a lifeguard and swim instructor for 5 years!) has outweighed my tiny nagging doubts about my ability to pull of a bathing suit in public. There are blogs and articles talking about mothers not being in the picture, and I think that’s selfish of mothers…get out there, get in the action, even if your slightly bigger saddle-bag thighs are out there in the picture, too. Because, to be honest, I think my 85% adventurous spirit is outweighing the 15% of nagging body fears, and nobody really gives a damn about it, but me. Right? I mean, I’ve never gotten a negative comment about “flaunting” my white fleshy legs out in public…
So here I am, soaking up the sunshine on the Oregon Coast, spending a good twenty minutes out in the water wave jumping by myself. My body felt strong, not perfect, but able to carry myself out into the water and I had the biggest smile on my face ever. And, even when I realized that I would have to walk back to the campsite in my bathing suit, sans towel (Potamus stole that towel, little bugger), I was okay. Because so what if people notice my bigger-than-normal white thighs…I mean…they need to tan sometimes, ammiright?
boof & monk-monk 
You are so beautiful. So very beautiful. I LOVE this post and the pic of you in your bathing suit. You look amazing. I am about the same size as you almost six feet tall and seeing how rad and comfy in your own skin you look is really inspiring to me! Where did you get your pretty suit?
See, this is why were are friends! I hardly ever meet other tall women in real life (I’m 6’1, eek!).
So, that suit is a “Miracle Suit” that I bought at Costco on a whim. I loved the print and the price was really reasonable ($40)…doing a quick internet search finds them anywhere between 70 and 150$. Eek!
Okay, I was perusing offbeatfamilies (because that’s what I do when I’m bored, ya know) and I came across this from one of their advertisers: http://www.modcloth.com/shop/plus-size-swimwear?utm_medium=CJaffiliate&cj_webid=5420483&cj_affname=offbeat+bride&cj_affid=3441508&cj_linkd=11369123&utm_campaign=CJ&utm_source=CJ&cj_sid=
Holy cow, these suits are so freaking adorable…I almost wish I would have known about them before I got my suit! The rouching, the polka dots, the cherries! So cute
Wow!! So cute. Also pricey!
my respect/admiration for you grows with every post!! 🙂
Awe, thanks man!! Your support means a lot!
I loved you before . . . But now, I LOVE you even more. You rock lady! I couldn’t agree more with embracing everything that makes us mothers–saddlebags and cellulite included. You’ve inspired me all over again.
Cheers to wearing swimsuits this summer, pregnant or not! 😉
awe, thanks!!