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Bathing Suit Blues
by Christy Brownlee, 07.25.03
"Comparing yourself to other people is probably the biggest possible waste of time." |
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The temperature's rising, your air conditioner is busted, and you're slowly dissolving into an ever-growing puddle of sweat. Why not cool off with a dip in the pool? Wait, don't say it — you feel too fat/skinny/hairy/hairless/pale to possibly wear a swimsuit. With all those other sexy girls and guys slinking around wearing next to nothing, how could you ever show off your flawed physique?
You're in good company. According to celebrity trainer Ashley Borden, who's whipped Christina Aguilera, Mandy Moore, and other stars into tiptop shape, even famous people sometimes have trouble baring their bods in public. "When you wear a swimsuit, you're at your most vulnerable — you really have nothing to hide behind," said Borden.
So how do you vanquish those personal flaws in time for swimsuit season? Repeat this mantra: it's not your body that needs changing — it's your body image. A flabby image will bring you down, no matter what kind shape you're in — just like a healthy image can improve your natural look. Follow these tips to boost your body image before you slip on that swimsuit. Before you know it, you'll be feeling totally cool at the pool.
1. Play It Cool
If you're freaking out about a particular personal feature, keep it your little secret. "The minute you start talking about the part of the body that bothers you, that's what everybody ends up looking at," said Borden. Try to distract yourself by doing something fun, and pretend like there's nothing on your mind. Chances are good that no one will notice, and you might even forget what was bothering you in the first place!
2. Try Before You Buy
Just because other guys or girls are wearing the same skimpy swimsuit doesn't mean you have to — there are zillions of different swimwear styles, colors, and fits. Try out different bikinis, one-pieces, or trunks until you find a suit you feel great in. Even though swimwear doesn't cover as much as regular clothes, says Borden, "Be comfortable and feel good about the things that you are wearing."
3. Accentuate the Positive
Find something that you love about yourself, and play it up! It may take some soul searching, but "almost everybody has some part of the body that they really like," says Borden. For example, focus on your muscular legs, nice shoulders, or sexy bust line. Find a great swimsuit that shows these parts off, and you'll take the limelight off any place that's causing you stress.
4. Shape up Your Mind
If swimsuit season spurs you to start a new exercise program, good for you! Getting fit will help you run faster, get stronger, be more flexible — and feel great about yourself. According to Borden, the confidence you'll get from your new set of skills spills over into other areas of your life, including your body image. "You end up getting a better reward from that because you're not so focused on waiting for your body to change," she said.
5. Like Apples and Oranges...
No two people are exactly alike, and there's no "perfect" body — so don't beat yourself up for not looking just like someone else. "Comparing yourself to other people is probably the biggest possible waste of time," said Borden. Those parts that you might consider flaws are really what make you unique — and being unique is beautiful.
So relax — and enjoy yourself at the pool. Happy summer! |
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