It’s ironic that so many of us yearn for old man winter to take a hike, only to trade in some low-grade depression with our disappointment over the decision to sit out another summer.
There’s no bigger bummer than sitting in your house all summer long because you feel fat. Yet year after year, too many women refuse to enjoy the summer because of body shame.
In the summer the clothing is lighter and there’s less of it (which makes perfect sense when you’re tossing around a beach ball). Short shorts, sleeveless tees and the thought of trying on bathing suits, are all potential summer stimuli which can cause many of us to turn right back around and head indoors where the air is blowing cool and no one can see our thighs.
Like a diet (from fun), isn’t this behavior just another form of deprivation which can lead to over-eating, inactivity and help ratchet up the stress? One more year without going in the water. One more year without getting on a bike, or playing tennis or taking a ride on a boat, or sliding down a water slide or laying on a sunny lazy beach.
So, how do we break the cycle?
One of the most important steps is to acknowledge that other people don’t care nearly as much about our (insert offending body part) as we do. In fact, it’s very likely that you’ll be admired for getting out, participating and adding to the fun and enjoyment for those people who love you and your company. And if people don’t like or love you? Who cares?
What you may discover is that getting back in the game will change your attitude and perspective — for the better. Perhaps you find it motivating, perhaps you’ll find it just plain fun and want to repeat the behavior again and again. Because becoming more active and engaged is one of best stress management busters around — and it just comes naturally.
Please share with us how you beat the summertime ‘I-hate-the-way-my-butt-looks-in-this-bathing-suit’ blues.
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by GreenMtnFoxRun, ichangeStuMacFarlane. ichangeStuMacFarlane said: Sitting Out The Summer — A Diet From Fun? http://bit.ly/cDia9J [...]
I just do it! I love the water and beach to much to not go in it, so I just do it. I don’t want to stop enjoying life until I get the body I desire. I’ve done that too often. I want to live it!
Nike’s got nothin’ on you, Laura. I’m with you!
Getting the sun on my body feels so good. I just tell myself that I can’t allow my demons to take over and keep me from it…I just do it!
I bought shorts and wore them in public for the first time in at least 8 years at the kids trackmeet. I realized n-o-b-d-y was looking at my legs or whispering about my stretchmarks & size. It was nice not to have swampbutt from wearing jeans in the blazing sun.
I have always hated my upper arms. They’ve been flabby since I was about 10, I think. So I got a great tattoo on my left bicept. Now I wear a tank top to show it off, regardless of my arm hang-ups!
.-= Chef Lisa’s last blog post..Who Rules the Kitchen? =-.
[...] feels kind of strange to me that I am “worried”, but after reading this article called Sitting Out The Summer- A Diet From Fun? on the A Weight Lifted blog I feel less alone in my fears. I realize that there are other people [...]
Getting older can be a tough journey. I swore I’d age gracefully, not quite there yet — but getting better. It is tough when you wake up one morning and your body just doesn’t seem like it belongs to you any more. But, like all things, we get use to our flibs and our flabs and before you know it, ya don’t even notice anymore. A little dab of self-tanner and I’m out the door!
[...] Sitting Out the Summer — A Diet From Fun? from A Weight Lifted [...]
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