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Parenting
By Jane Thompson
At some point, we’ve all felt the pressure as summer approaches. The longing for sunny days often brings with it the desire to get fit. Bathing suits fill the stores well before the warm weather arrives, and advertisements for diets and fitness plans flood our screens, all promising us the perfect “beach body.”
However, let’s be clear: there’s no such thing as a “beach body,” and you certainly can’t achieve it overnight. The way our bodies function doesn’t allow for instant transformations. I’ve watched countless diet videos and downloaded fitness apps that I never used. But guess what? You don’t have to chase after an ideal — give yourself permission to enjoy this summer just as you are.
We live in a world that bombards us with diet trends and fitness opportunities year-round, but it escalates as summer approaches. The industry capitalizes on our insecurities, hoping we’ll feel compelled to spend money on the latest weight-loss solutions.
The truth is, we are enough just as we are. Our bodies are enough. We don’t need to rely on diet pills or obsess over losing those “extra pounds” to feel good. What truly enhances our well-being is learning to love and accept our bodies, the ones that carry us through life and create memories. It’s normal for our bodies to change over time, and that’s perfectly okay. Embrace all of you, inside and out.
Instead of spending money on programs or pills, invest in self-love. Silence the voice inside that tells you your body isn’t good enough. When you look in the mirror, repeat affirmations like “I am beautiful” and “I am enough” until you genuinely believe them.
Every year, the weight-loss industry rakes in over $30 billion, banking on our dissatisfaction with ourselves. They want us to feel inadequate so we’ll buy their products. It’s disheartening to scroll through social media and see posts like “I need to diet for summer” or “I don’t feel ready for a bikini.” Sure, exercise if it makes you happy, but don’t let external pressures dictate your worth.
Personally, I prefer not to wear a bikini, and that’s okay! I still enjoy beach days with my kids, wearing a swimsuit and splashing in the waves. After hours of fun, we indulge in ice cream topped with Oreo crumbles, because I absolutely adore ice cream. There’s a special place I go for it — a 20-minute drive that’s worth every minute, filled with the happy chatter of my kids.
Going to the beach and enjoying ice cream isn’t about how I look; it’s about creating cherished memories with my children. I won’t allow my body image to hold me back from being present for them. I might download and delete a few more apps this summer, but rest assured, my “beach body” will be defined by me and my choices.
Educate yourself on making informed food choices, but allow yourself the joy of living without fretting over perceived flaws. I look forward to a future where apps remind us of our beauty rather than the distance we need to travel to achieve a certain body type.
Remember, my body is different from my best friend’s, and that’s perfectly fine. This summer, embrace who you are, just as I embrace myself.
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