If you like to spend time at the beach, chances are that at least once in your life, you've felt self-conscious about wearing a swimsuit there.
I have.
Now, let's get something straight: I'm no Victoria's Secret model. And while I'm in pretty good shape from all that exercising I do with Willie, I'm never going to be a Victoria's Secret model.
Models have a particular body type, and even at the absolute most toned I could be, mine is different from that type, shorter and more boyish. I'm 4'11'' (and a half, screams inner Caroline) with no appreciable curves and — let's be really honest here — a few extra pounds around my midsection. You know what? I have no problem with that.
Despite my imperfections, I'm pretty damn comfortable in my own skin. I could make some minor improvements for my health, sure: a little less junk food, a few sit-ups here and there. But these things don't really bother me. I recognize my flaws, but I'm not so body-conscious that I feel like I have to cover up at the beach, spend all my time exercising or avoid the kinds of foods I love. In fact, I'm pretty proud of my body — it can do whatever I ask it to. I can wrestle with my dog, play soccer with my friends in a park or hang out all day in the water without getting too tired.
I'm certainly not going to go out of my way to change my body to fit some ideal, especially if that means adopting unhealthy eating habits. Unhealthy, obsessive dieting is bad. It's baaaaad. But there's enough information about eating disorders out there that I don't have to lecture you about it here, I hope. Don't do it, kids.
No, I'm going to talk to you about something different. I'm going to talk to you about negative body consciousness.
The people I really worry about are the ones who let body insecurity stand in their way. I see a lack of confidence in so many men and women of my generation (after all, we were growing up in an era before Dove's awesome Campaign for Real Beauty). I haven't seen very many people addressing the issue. It's like self-consciousness makes them scared — enough to hold back. And if you're one of those girls or guys, you know what I'm talking about: I don't want to do ____ because I have to wear ______ and it makes me look fat. One day, I'm going to look so good in ________. I don't want to eat in public because I feel like people will judge me. I'm afraid to talk to ____ because I know I'm too ugly and he (or she) won't be interested. I don't want to be in the pictures because I don't look good at this weight.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO THINK THIS WAY.
You don't have to be thin to enjoy life. In fact, it seems like worrying about being thin actually takes the enjoyment OUT of life for way too many people. Don't neglect your health, but don't take body consciousness so far that it holds you back, either.
From one imperfect person to another, it doesn't matter if you look like Adriana Lima — really. Even if you're not perfect, if you're confident and clean, people will still find you attractive. It's true that there is no one type that appeals to everyone.
I can tell you that when I hit the beach, I'll be wearing a bikini — flaws and all. And I won't be ashamed. I bet I'll even turn a few heads.
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