Don't Let Swimsuit Anxiety Steal Your Summer

So Summer has arrived, but my "Summer body" isn't quite ready. Sound familiar? I get it. Starting in the Fall I would get all pumped up and excited to start working on my "Summer body" and a few weeks in i'd lose the motivation. By late Spring the bathing suit anxiety would start. I used to get so down on myself for not feeling up to par with those teeny tiny bikinis hanging on the Target racks in April. My self punishment for not working out enough during the Winter was dooming myself to jeans in 102 degrees with 98% humidity, skipping out on pool parties, putting off that lake trip because "next year" I would work harder to be ready for it, jumping out of memorable pictures so there wouldn't be evidence of my failure. But the worst part...not living Summer to it's fullest potential WITH my kids. 

I finally decided enough was enough. I no longer fear Summer and it's not because I finally achieved that rockin' Summer body i've always dreamed of. No, it's because I finally realized that being scared of what other people thought about my body was literally STEALING MY SUMMER AWAY FROM ME. I was foolishly standing in my own way of making memories with my family and I knew that when I looked back years from now, i'd wholeheartedly regret it. See that picture above? That's me! That's me with all my imperfections on display, jumping into the lake with my little boys looking on and cheering for me. That was the first day of this Summer, and what an amazing day it was! I can remember what it felt like to sit on the sidelines of Summer, but now I can't imagine NOT having days like this! Some days I still don't actually like putting a bathing suit on, but I do it anyway. For myself, for my kids, for the memories. 

Don't get me wrong, i'm not saying to give up on your health and fitness goals. I still have goals myself and I know that one day i'll get there, but my point is to love yourself along each step of your journey and don't punish yourself when perfection isn't achieved. You deserve happiness! You deserve to have an awesome Summer! 

I urge anyone who is letting their body hold them back, to just let it go. You will NOT regret it, but you will most defintely regret it if you don't. <3 p="">

LIVE YOUR LIFE.

   LIVE YOUR SUMMER.

      FIND A BATHING SUIT YOU LOVE. 

    AND JUST WEAR IT. 

SAY YES TO FUN.

    SAY YES TO ADVENTURES. 

       SAY YES TO FEELING HAPPY. 

              

    SAY YES FOR YOUR FRIENDS. 

  SAY YES FOR YOUR KIDS.

    SAY YES FOR YOURSELF.

      SAY YES FOR THE MEMORIES. 

   SAY YES TO SUMMER! 

Love, 

Jessie