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As the seasons shift and winter’s chill fades away, the anticipation of summer should bring joy and excitement. I’m ready to enjoy the sunshine and let my kids enjoy outdoor activities. However, one thing that clouds this time of year is the pressure to achieve the so-called “summer body.”
As a staunch advocate for body positivity, I’m taking a stand against this harmful notion for the sake of my children. Despite my commitment to body love, I still see incessant ads promoting detox diets and unrealistic fitness goals. Just recently, I watched an ad suggesting my weight loss struggles were due to digestion issues.
In the past, such messages would have plunged me into anxiety, prompting frantic searches for quick weight loss solutions. I used to obsess over exercises that would make my legs slimmer or my stomach more acceptable for a bathing suit. Now, these ads evoke sadness and anger. After years of struggling with body image, I’ve finally reached a point of acceptance. It’s disheartening to think of all the time I wasted hiding my body instead of embracing it, and I know I’m not alone in this experience.
This year, I’m rejecting everything society tells me about prepping my body for summer. Remember, the only “summer body” you need is the one you already have.
When I’ve shared this perspective, I’ve encountered varied reactions. Some consider it laziness, while others caution me against neglecting my health. Yet, I feel healthier than I have in years—not just physically, but mentally too. I’m fostering inner peace and loving my body for what it is. What could be more beneficial than that?
What Does ‘Getting a Summer Body’ Mean Anyway?
This summer, the only weight I’m shedding is the burden of other people’s judgments. My focus is on dressing for comfort rather than conforming to societal expectations. I embrace my body as it is—curvy and cuddly—and I refuse to let anyone’s comments dictate my self-worth. Those hurtful remarks about being the “full package” if I lost a few pounds led to a long battle with an eating disorder.
As many of us have experienced changes in our bodies during the pandemic, I believe it’s crucial to prioritize acceptance over societal pressures to achieve a perfect summer physique. This message is especially important for my daughters; I want them to choose swimsuits based on comfort and design, not because they feel pressured to meet a standard.
Children are already bombarded with messages that can lead to body dissatisfaction. Reports indicate that calls to the National Eating Disorders Association have surged by 58% among teens since the pandemic began. The pressures of adolescence, combined with an ongoing health crisis and unrealistic body ideals, create a challenging environment for young people.
It’s Time to Celebrate Our Bodies Year-Round
I’m tired of the constant narrative suggesting we’re never good enough as we are. If you’re larger, you should be smaller; if you’re smaller, you should be curvier. The images of “ideal” beach bodies we see are often edited and filtered, presenting an unattainable standard. Many who claim to have achieved their looks through hard work often have access to resources that give them an unfair advantage.
Ultimately, preparing for summer should be about wearing what feels good and celebrating our bodies in their natural state. This isn’t about shaming any particular body type or dismissing the importance of fitness. It’s about embracing all bodies, regardless of shape or size.
So, let’s collectively abandon the idea of striving for a “summer body” this year. Last summer, I wore a two-piece swimsuit for the first time in 31 years, and it was liberating. I’m fully ready for summer as I am.
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