Moment With Mel: You Don’t Need To Get Your Body “Summer Ready”
How many times have you seen the term “summer ready” so far this year? It’s in the titles of articles online, it’s on the cover of magazines, and there are folks all over social media giving advice on how to get that “perfect” summer body. News flash….you don’t need to get “summer ready” because you ARE ready! Every spring, we’re slammed with the messages about getting our bodies swimsuit ready. It’s time to put the brakes on that! After all, who says there’s only one type of body that looks good in bathing suits? Women have been conditioned to think that, but there’s no reason you can’t be “summer ready” no matter what size you are.
I’m not sharing this with you because I want you to believe it. I’m sharing because I need to believe it too! This past year has been tough on all of us and there are many of us, myself included, that have gained some weight. The reasons don’t matter. Some of us have put on “quarantine weight” because we’re home more and snacking more. Others have gained weight because fitness centers have been closed. Personally, I’ve gained weight due to surgery, a thyroid issue, and snacking. Without question I’ve snacked a lot more over the last year.
According to the National Eating Disorder Association, the thinking that we have to be thin to be acceptable in a bathing suit is dangerous. Their latest survey shows that nearly 7-in-10 women and girls have experienced a dive in body confidence and increase in appearance-related anxiety as a result of unrealistic beauty standards portrayed in the media. I totally get that.
As a teen I was anorexic. Hard to believe that now, but I was. I starved myself for months and unfortunately, did some permanent damage to my body. I’ve never really been comfortable with my body. And even now, I’m not confident. The average American woman now is between a size 16 to 18. When I found that out, I felt a bit better. I’m not the only curvy chick!
I had to buy some new bathing suits this year and all of them are tankinis with a loose top. My weight sits in my belly, so I wanted that area covered with something loose. Depression set in a bit when I purchased the new suits but I need to accept who I am and recognize that a clothing size doesn’t define me. The pressure that I put on myself is not realistic and I need to give myself a break. Without question, I’m not the only one that feels this way.
While some women aren’t phased by the media pressure, many are. There are some ways you can shake off the unrealistic message. Here are a few ways:
- cleanse your social media
- move your body in a joyful way
- use your voice
- focusing on having the best summer for YOU!
These are things I myself am going to try and start doing so I can feel better about me. Honestly I think just finding a way to love yourself each day would help too. We’ve all dealt with enough stress over the last year. As we move into summer, hopefully we’ll be able to socialize some. We should embrace who we are and recognize how lucky we are to be here….no matter what size you are. You ARE summer ready!
