6/9/11
8 miles easy / 1:15 / 9:22 avg pace
I’m all about honesty on RTLR so I must confess to a (long-term) case of bikini-phobia. I know I’m in the majority here; very few women love to shop for and parade around in bikinis (or one-pieces, tankinis, etc.). I rarely (if ever) remove my cover-up at the beach. I feel exposed and fearful that people are looking at me. And shopping for a bikini is a complete nightmare – those mirrors and lighting should be banned.
I know my phobia is completely irrational. I don’t look that bad. But my hyper-critical self sees a flabby-this or an untoned-that . Funny thing is, when I’m people-watching at the shore (fun!), 90% of the people walk by unnoticed. The other 10% are noticed by everyone! You know, the women and men with the bathing suit that is completely inappropriate for their size. Yup, those people. But let’s get back to the other 90% that pass by unnoticed – every single one of them has a flabby-this or an untoned-that. So why do they go by unnoticed and I give myself the hardest time?
One of the gifts running has given me (bear with me, I’m going somewhere with this) is complete appreciation of my body. I’m very thankful and grateful that I can push my body so hard and it still gives me results. It really amazes me sometimes…my legs especially. They are strong and powerful and have carried me through 8 marathons. So after many, many years of running I’m learning to accept and appreciate my body for what it is: strong, powerful, and resilient.
The point of this post is not to elicit encouraging comments. I’m just being honest and transparent. Many of the healthy living bloggers I follow will post pictures of themselves on vacation in a bikini. They have it right (and look fabulous too). Healthy eating coupled with exercise should translate to bikini confidence. And while I’m not there yet, I’m pretty damn close.
My bikini-phobia is slowly being conquered! On Memorial Day weekend, I went sans cover-up at the pool. And I just ordered 2 bikinis online. Usually I only own 1 bikini since there was never really a need for another one. The strength training class I took on Tuesday also has a duel purpose: besides helping me become a better runner, toning up will help my bikini-confidence. Winning!
Do you suffer from bikini-phobia?
My main bikini phobia right now is that the baby is going to publicly expose me because she loves pulling at the top 🙂
No, in all honestly I’ve never had an issue with wearing a bikini. I don’t even own a cover up. I guess I don’t really care about jiggly bits or whatever, if I’m hot and there is water, I’m in a bikini.
Good for you! Send some of that my way, please!!!
ya. i must admit, i get pretty jealous of the people who can just be 100% confident in them (no matter what they look like). It is def. a mental thing. I have also noticed the older I get, the more I dont care ;)!
Congrats! Don’t we all have bikini phobia???
I think the majority has bikini phobia but some women can confidently walk around in a bikini! I’m jealous of them!
I like bikini TOPS…it is the bottom I have issues with 😉
Exactly!!!
Well put. Cheers to loving our bodies for all they are capable of doing… not just how they look. Can’t wait for you to don those new bikinis and at the shore in 2 weeks!
Eeeeeek!!!
I also have chronic bikini-phobia: a fear of going blind having seen all those people you talked about in their inappropriately sized swimwear. LOL
Hope that increase in mileage as part of your next training plan also results in an increase in your bikini confidence. Enjoy the summer.
I love this. Well, not the bikini-phobia (though I can completely relate) but how running has given you increased confidence and has helped you learn to appreciate your body for its strength. That’s something it took me many years of running to start embracing (and I still have slip-ups). Because, like you, I am more judgmental of myself than anyone. However, recently with my improvements in running and the fact that I’ve started to be more committed to regular strength training, my confidence has definitely increased. You won’t see me strutting around as one of those 10% you mentioned (haha!) but I will be wearing my bathing suit with pride in my muscular legs! 🙂
AMEN!!!!!