Monday, September 12, 2016

Clothed in Confidence...and a Bikini

Several years ago women started posting photos of themselves in their bathing suits; they shared the message that it's important for our kids to see us confident in our skin and for other women to know that all they need to do to be bikini ready is to have a bikini and a body. I thought "That's great for them but I will never do that." It wasn't that I was embarrassed of how I looked (although that may have been part of it), it's that I don't like attention for things that are based on physical appearance.  How many more times in my life will I say "never" and then change my mind? 

 I have realized over the past few years that every time I see a woman in a bathing suit it makes me feel more comfortable.  

I've always worn a tankini, but this past summer, I broke out the bikini thanks to those that have shared their images.

If you want to wear a bikini, do it!
{There is a flowy top piece that has flipped up in case you're confused. And yes, I value not having a lot of sun exposure. Finally, because the number on the scale has generally been an issue for me and therefore probably some of you, this is 160ish lbs, folks.}

Last summer I was almost 10 lbs less and was hoping to be as fit as possible and therefore held off on wearing a bikini.  This summer I am rounder but actually more confident. Why? Last year I was always just "so close" to what I imagined I wanted to look like that I don't think I ever would have met that goal – the end point would've kept moving. Now?

I feel like for me, confidence, health and a decent fitness level is enough to wear that bikini.  

Your reasons might be different but the point is that there was way too much mental energy in the last 25 years devoted to what the scale said. I haven't weighed myself in a while and it feels good. I want my kids to see all shapes and sizes and I'm one of the varieties out there.

Instead of waiting for a mysterious "awesome" to attain, I've realized that healthy is awesome, strong is awesome and present is awesome.

The older I get the more I appreciate that my body can still do most things that it used to and I am thankful for that.

Why you should just wear a bikini

So here is my bikini picture. Not the most flattering pose or Instagram-worthy perhaps but it's me, it's real, and I didn't want to do a re-take to make me look better because that defeats the purpose. If this encourages one person to be a little more confident in a bathing suit, or in their own skin, then this nervous feeling of pushing publish is all worth it.

Here's to variety and self-acceptance.

Love,
Louise
If you want to wear a bikini then do it! The more variety of bodies seen the better for us and our children.

15 comments:

  1. I think you are simply amazing!

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  2. Christina Walsh9:18 AM

    It's posts like this that make me confident to put my bathing suit on at the waterslides this summer and not cover up. Be confident, be bold. Our daughters will love us no matter what. And really, everyone else too. Love your posts, thanks for always being real.

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  3. This is one fab post! I love it for so many reasons. I especially love this-"...I've realized that healthy is awesome, strong is awesome, and present is awesome."

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    1. Thanks. So much good this body of mine can do!

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  4. Love! Working through the same journey!

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    1. Thanks, Niki! I think so many of us are in the same boat of continuously trying to love ourselves--inside and out.

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  5. YES!!! This is so great :)

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  6. We're always the hardest on ourselves hey? Confidence radiates beauty WAY more than cover up and heels. And this photo is simply perfect.

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    1. We sure are. And yes, confidence is beautiful!

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  7. Amazing Louise! Your kids are lucky to have you as a parent and someone to look up to.

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  8. You look amazing!!!

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