When I look in the mirror, I see a body that tells a story: full breasts, a C-section scar, and abs that haven’t made an appearance since 2002. My thighs sport stretch marks, and I have them on my waist and under my arms too—seriously, what’s that about? My legs resemble tree trunks, and let’s not even discuss the size of my rear end. I carry an extra 20 pounds, and while I dream of shedding the baby weight, my kids are already 10 and 12. But hey, a girl can dream, right?
No amount of airbrushing or spray tanning can resurrect the washboard abs I had at 20. On an ordinary day, my bras are armed with enough underwire to supply a steel mill, and my underwear could rival 19th-century corsets. “Lacy” and “sexy” have been replaced by “sturdy” and “supportive.” The thought of zippers on jeans makes me anxious, and I’ve all but accepted that I’ll never fit into my pre-baby wardrobe again.
Yet, I still wear a bikini.
After my son was born, I embarked on the quest for the ultimate “Mom-Body” swimsuit. I searched high and low for a black bikini that provided padding, ample coverage, and support for my bosom, while also making me appear at least 30 pounds lighter. It had to feature ruching—whatever that is—to hide any evidence of my post-baby body.
I envisioned a bottom with a skirt long enough to conceal my infrequent bikini waxing and a top that could disguise my breastfeeding nipples. By the time I found a suit that met these criteria, I felt like a 90-year-old Amish grandmother.
But I realized I wasn’t willing to waste precious time worrying about how I should look as a mom at the pool. The endless searching, trying on, returning, and fretting over a bathing suit simply wasn’t worth it. So I decided to embrace my body and wear bikinis with confidence. And you should too!
My body has carried two babies for a total of 20 months. I’ve completed six marathons, and I nourished my children with milk produced by breasts that swelled to enormous sizes. My husband looks at me with desire more times in a week than I can count, and honestly, I’m 40—I’ve reached the point where I just don’t care.
I refuse to cover up my stretch marks, and I’m unapologetic about my soft, marshmallow-like belly. If you happen to notice my nipples, it likely means you’re staring a bit too hard (seriously, dude, take a picture; it’ll last longer).
While articles promote body positivity and encourage us to raise confident daughters, we’re constantly bombarded by images of airbrushed celebrities flaunting flawless figures. As swimsuit season approaches, our feeds explode with ads promising miraculous results and showcasing women who look almost computer-generated.
Let’s just wear what we want when we want and enjoy our time at the pool. Honestly, I admire the woman who confidently strolls to the snack stand in her bikini, her thighs jiggling, far more than the one flaunting perfect abs. I’m inspired by the mom who reveals her natural body instead of hiding behind a cover-up. Those are the real women I want by my side, and I salute them as we boldly declare, “This is who we are; if you don’t like it, go admire the doll floating in the deep end.”
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be slathering sunscreen on my pale stomach as I settle into my beach chair to watch my kids splash around in the pool.
And by the way, if you happen to know what ruching is, keep it to yourself. My body is perfectly content soaking up the summer sun.
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Summary
This article celebrates body positivity and self-acceptance in the face of societal beauty standards. It highlights the importance of embracing one’s body, flaws and all, while enjoying life and the beach. The author encourages women to wear what makes them feel good, regardless of societal pressures or expectations.
Keyphrase: Body positivity in swimwear
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