According to the interwebs I have only four more months and then I need to pack up all my bikinis and give them to Goodwill.
Why you ask?
Because in October I turn 40 and I guess the sight of a 40 year old in a bikini might burn people’s retinas or stop the world from spinning.
You can’t see it, but I’m TOTALLY rolling my eyes right now.
Since when are there age restrictions on clothing?
Ok, maybe there might be on some … but a bikini? Come on. I know some rockin’ 40 year olds who look great in a bikini. Even Helen Mirren wore one and she’s 63.
I only own ONE one-piece and it’s for triathlon training. My other 15 swimsuits are bikinis. I have sporty ones, string ones, ones with boy bottoms and ones with animal prints {yes I really do}, and there’s no way I’m giving them up.
So, I’m bucking the trend and keeping my bikinis and here’s why…
1. I hate it when my stomach is sweaty.
It’s a fact. Summer in Iowa is hot and humid, and I just can stand being sweaty. Honestly when it’s over 100 degrees I’d run around naked if I could and if I didn’t have to sit down.
2. Bikinis make me feel less mom-like.
I like the way wearing a bikini makes me feel stylish and hip, and younger. There I said it, but it’s true.
3. I have no boobs, and I wear boy bottoms.
Nothing is hanging out or unsupported. I don’t care whether you 90 pounds or 190 pounds when you wear clothes that are too small, they look bad. Don’t worry about the size on the label, just buy something that fits well and makes you feel good.
4. I’m trying {really hard} not to care what other people think.
I have my own baggage when it comes to body image, and finally at the age of 40 I’m ready to just let it go. I’m going to stop caring what others think and just do what makes me feel comfortable {within the law of course}. Also, one thing I learned is that everyone else at the pool that you think is staring at you, measuring your thighs with their eyes. Yeah, they are actually worried about how they look and probably in truth admiring those thighs.
5. Because my husband and kids don’t really care.
They don’t, they just want to have fun by the pool, and I do to. I can’t have fun hiding under a towel, plus it’s hot under that towel and we all know how I feel about being sweaty.
I know all this may sound “easy” especially for someone like me.
For the past three weeks I’ve been participating in the #BodyLOVE challenge at The Misadventures of a Darwinian Fail and our Week 3 Challenge was all about lessons learned from a toddler…
She is blissfully happy and so full of life. She doesn’t waste time worrying about how her swimsuit looks – she just throws it on and jumps in the water. She eats her marshmallows with pure joy and abandon – never worrying about calories of the size of her jeans. And she feels confident because she is surrounded by love. That is how every little girl should feel. Heck, this is how every woman should feel.
Do you remember those days?
I do and I want them back.
I want to stop worrying about the size of my thighs or the tummy pooch. I’d much rather run with reckless abandon, without a worry in the world, feeling the warm sun on my face and the cool water between my toes.
So, when you are sitting in that dressing room trying to find the perfect swimsuit for your body shape and listening to the voices in your head, just think about all the fun times you will have with your children wearing that swimsuit, or the fun vacations you will take or just the fact that you are at the pool and not at work.
It’s the little things that make all the difference.
That and if you got it flaunt it, because you only live once.
***Do rock the pool and rule the beach? Show us your photos and tag them #MSFILES and you will be featured in our Mission Beach wrap up.
I LOVE all of this!!
I think you are one smoking hot mama! Werk it girl!!
Krysten recently posted..#BodyLOVE Week 3 – Starting the Week off Right
Right back at ya babe! Thank you so much for doing this #BodyLOVE Challenge. It’s difficult to come back to a normal workout routine, and to just settle back in after training and competing. I’m trying to find the balance between becoming completely OCD about workouts, etc, and just being healthy and happy. Your challenge has been a great reminder for WHY I do what I do, and it’s not for six pack abs. 🙂 You’re the best!
You are light years ahead of me. One suit for those times I take the kids. One piece. Black and ruched.
I do have a bikini but it has only been used 3 times these past few years as what I wear in my pre-new-gym work out picture and my post-new-gym work out picture….. and I wore it on my second honeymoon but only once–the rest of the time I skinny dipped 😉
XO
Ivy recently posted..Iowa High School Senior Model | Madison
No my dear you are light years ahead of me, because I would NEVER go skinny dipping. 🙂 You are absolutely gorgeous, inside and out. My wish for you is that you finally look in the mirror and see just how beautiful you are, and wear a bikini just for the heck of it. 🙂 Luv You!
I LOVE women with spunk! I admire women who march to the beat of their own drum. Wear your bikini and wear it with pride. You look great!
I haven’t worn a bikini since elementary or middle school (I can’t remember how old I was). Perhaps once I reach my goal weight I’ll try again. I’ll be so ever close to 40 then LOL.
Cassi recently posted..I’m SPLIT Over Tai Cheng Week 10
Atta girl! I’m 41 and eight and a half months pregnant, and I wore a bikini to the beach two weeks ago. I love my body and have no intentions of ever hiding it in shame. It’s the body that carries me around every day. It’s the body that takes care of my kids. It’s the body that gave me a surprise baby at 41. It’s the body that took me through two marathons and countless other races. It’s done so many wonderful things for me, and I appreciate it.
It took me until I was well into my thirties to feel this way–though I was always pretty body confident, I didn’t always wholly accept my body the way I do now. I don’t compare my body to others’ because I can’t see a reason to. As a result, I am fully able to appreciate my body. I wish we all could do that.
Love this post! Especially the part where you describe just having fun. That’s all your kids care about too. Rock it because you got it!
Amanda recently posted..Armpocket Giveaway
I love your confidence. I never wear a bikini because I feel so insecure to show more flesh than usual in public places. 🙂 Maybe when I have reach to my goal weight I’ll try.
Honeybee recently posted..30 Days 30 Letters: An Open Letter To My Diet Buddy #8 – How to Break Bad Habits (Including Mindless Eating) Without Trying