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9 Reasons I’m Not Working Toward a Bikini Body this Summer

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Even though I have been talking about Summer for what seems like about two months now, the official start of the season isn’t actually until today.  And with the beginning of Summer comes a ton of great things.

Barbecues
Vacations

Friends and family gatherings
Pool parties
River days
Delicious food and drinks

And those are just a few of my favorite things <– total The Sound of Music moment there.

Despite all of these super awesome aspects of Summer, in the past I spent years either avoiding these things or feeling down about myself during what were supposed to be such happy times.  Why?  Because I was not comfortable in my body.

9 Reasons I'm Not Working Toward a Bikini Body this SummerDon’t get me wrong.  I have always been a pretty thin person.  But even still, I was not happy.  My weight tends to settle towards my lower half, which in general, has always been a “good thing.”  Guys like a girl with a bigger butt, right?  So in jeans, I was confident.  But in a bikini?  Not so much.  It meant I had legs that weren’t toned and cellulite, which for anyone in their teens or early 20’s, was pretty much a nightmare.

I did experience about two years of not having cellulite and feeling quite confident in my swim suits, but that was when I was underweight and not healthy.  A good trade-off?  Not exactly.  Luckily, I have gotten back to a healthier weight and am settling into my body and my body’s “happy weight.”  And as a result, the cellulite is back and the legs aren’t toned.  But at this point in my life, I’m not worried about it.

So this Summer I will NOT be working towards a perfect bikini body.  I will not be dieting, restricting myself, hardcore working out every single day, using cellulite creams, or stepping in a tanning bed in order to feel good about myself the whole five times that I’ll probably be in a bikini this year.  Reason being: putting myself through all of that and being unhealthy in order to look good is simply. not. worth. it.

Oh, and I also have a few other reasons why I’m simply not concerned about looking perfect this Summer…

9 Reasons I’m Not Working Toward a Bikini Body this Summer

Reasons I'm Not Working Toward a Bikini Body this Summer | cleaneatingveggiegirl.com #selflove1. To me, Summer = ice cream.  And a Summer without ice cream is just not fun.  I am going to indulge in coconut milk ice cream when I want to and not feel guilty or worry about what it might do to my body.

2. I have a husband, family, and friends who love me for who I am and not because of the way I look.

Reasons I'm Not Working Toward a Bikini Body this Summer | cleaneatingveggiegirl.com #selflove3. Being healthy matters more to me than being perfect or skinny or having a sought after bikini body.  What good is a “perfect” body if it’s not functioning properly?

Reasons I'm Not Working Toward a Bikini Body this Summer | cleaneatingveggiegirl.com #selflove4. I want to order french fries with my meal.  I don’t want to feel like I have to choose the broccoli every time unless I want to choose the broccoli every time.  Listening to my body’s cravings is important to me.

5. I want my workout “routine” to consist of long walks and restorative yoga because those are the things that make my body feel good right now.

Reasons I'm Not Working Toward a Bikini Body this Summer | cleaneatingveggiegirl.com #selflove6. When I want a margarita, I want the real deal.  Not “skinny” margarita mix that is full of chemicals and crap.  No crap here, please.

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7. Blogger RD’s like Kylie and Robyn remind me of how the body I am meant to have is beautiful and perfect just the way it is.  Restricting in order to look good is not good.

8. Someday over the next couple of years, I want to become a mom.  And if I am blessed enough to carry a child, I want my body to be ready to do so.  Being underweight and unhealthy isn’t going to cut it in the pregnancy journey.  Having a child means so much more to me than looking good in a bathing suit.

Reasons I'm Not Working Toward a Bikini Body this Summer | cleaneatingveggiegirl.com #selflovesource.

9. I want to enjoy every single day that I am given.  I want to do that by living in the moment, loving on my friends and family, and spending my Summer in whatever way that I choose to.  Here’s to a Summer of fun and enjoyment instead of worry and guilt!

What awesome reasons do you have to not work toward the “perfect” bikini body (and be okay with it!)?

Reasons I'm Not Working Toward a Bikini Body this Summer #selflove #bodykindness Click To Tweet
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{ 34 comments… add one }
  • Carla June 20, 2016, 7:28 am
    I will confess to caring 25 years ago. Now?? Life is too too damn short. Carla recently posted...What *Ive* learned from summer swim team.My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl June 20, 2016, 9:32 am
      I hear you! Now if only this was something that was taught to girls when they were young. Hopefully some day!
  • Bri June 20, 2016, 7:43 am
    Love this! I just finished the Tone It Up bikini program to lean out for marathon training bit fully enjoyed myself on the weekends, but that's what summer is about! I did end up leaning up a bit, but now I'm going through health issues where it might not be a good thing at the moment, so this post came at a good time for me! Bri recently posted...5 ways to boost your resilience in tough timesMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl June 20, 2016, 9:35 am
      Isn't it crazy how smart our bodies can be? While I definitely did not want to admit it at first, my body is simply not okay with me being as thin as I was. And since FEELING good and being healthy is the most important thing to me, I have accepted that. It took me some time, but I'm glad I am at that point. I hope you find that "happy" and healthy weight too!
  • Georgia June 20, 2016, 10:27 am
    I did not learn that bikini bodies are irrelevant until I was in my late 40s. Kudos to you for learning much sooner, your life will be better for the realization!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl June 20, 2016, 11:48 am
      I hope that all women can realize that SOONER rather than later. It's a shame that our society puts so much focus on "being skinny," as if that really matters in life.
  • Josie June 20, 2016, 10:30 am
    this is just what I needed today. thanks for sharing :)
    • ClnEatingVegGrl June 20, 2016, 11:46 am
      Yay, I'm so glad! We ALL need reminders to love ourselves every now and then :)
  • Debbie Rodrigues June 20, 2016, 11:30 am
    After my brain tumor surgery last year, I lost muscle mass. 11 months without being able to exercise was devastating. Now, all I care about is lifting heavy weights and becoming stronger again. I couldn't care less about the shape of my body. I know I eat healthy and I work out hard (CrossFit Babe!). The rest is detail... Debbie Rodrigues recently posted...Why You Need To Have a System To Be SuccessfulMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl June 20, 2016, 11:49 am
      It is somewhat amazing what being FORCED to not workout can do for a person. While it is challenging, it can also be such a great learning experience. It helps us to find what being active and healthy means to US (and not everyone else). I wish you good health!
  • Heather @Lunging Through Life June 20, 2016, 11:52 am
    Amen. Love the last one. You really do have to enjoy every day given to you! Really Ilove all of these because they're all so true.. and French fries > broccoli any day ;) Heather @Lunging Through Life recently posted...Trip to Conneaut Lake and Father’s DayMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl June 20, 2016, 12:55 pm
      Right?! I do really enjoy veggies and crave them, but there are few things better than french fries ;)
  • Linda Caines June 20, 2016, 3:34 pm
    Love this, thank you so much for sharing xx
    • ClnEatingVegGrl June 20, 2016, 4:03 pm
      My pleasure! It's time to rethink what our priorities are in life :)
  • Devan June 20, 2016, 6:14 pm
    Great post! It's interesting to see that it's not just bigger girls that worry about their body! You are stunning. :)
    • ClnEatingVegGrl June 21, 2016, 7:26 am
      Thanks, Devan! And yes, unfortunately our society has trained EVERY woman to feel terrible at some point or another about her body. I hope that changes with the next generation!
  • Lauren June 20, 2016, 6:28 pm
    Amazing post Hannah and I completely agree with everything you said!! If we don't love and accept the body we have, then we completely waste so much time that could be spend enjoying life just to be a certain size. It has to stop!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl June 21, 2016, 7:27 am
      YES!! It's so sad that we spend soooo much of our lives worrying about something so superficial. When you really think about it, it's so silly!!
  • Erin @ Her Heartland Soul June 20, 2016, 8:09 pm
    I LOVE THIS POST SO MUCH!!! Please come to Omaha soon! <3 Erin @ Her Heartland Soul recently posted...Guilt-free Veggie Kabob MarinadeMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl June 21, 2016, 7:28 am
      THANKS, Erin!! I'll be there for Jordan's baby shower, so that's soon!
  • Tara | Treble in the Kitchen June 21, 2016, 5:19 pm
    Those are all AMAZING reasons :) Tara | Treble in the Kitchen recently posted...Red and Blue Berry Thyme Zucchini Cornbread + Casual Veggie Cookbook!My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl June 22, 2016, 9:53 am
      It's fun to think of ALL of the reasons that exist to be healthy but NOT obsessive over weight/the way we look. It's also super freeing!
  • Ashlee June 22, 2016, 4:31 pm
    Wow! I absolutely LOVE this and most definitely needed this today! You are so inspiring , I hope you have a wonderful summer :)
    • ClnEatingVegGrl June 22, 2016, 8:28 pm
      Thank you, Ashlee! I am glad you were able to get something positive out of it in some way. May your Summer be super fab!
  • Ruth June 23, 2016, 9:36 am
    This list is perfect for every girl and woman to read! I wish I had read this when I was in high school, however, we all seem to learn more about ourselves and what is most important to us at different stages in our lives. And number one maaaay be a year-round thing for me.... ;) Thanks for sharing such a thought provoking list, Hannah! Ruth recently posted...Summer CSA Week 8My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl June 23, 2016, 12:11 pm
      Thank you, Ruth! I am glad you were able to connect with the post in some way. Yes, we ALL find our own way with time :)
  • Melissa @ Melissa in the Making June 24, 2016, 8:36 pm
    Absolutely wonderful thoughts. The whole "work toward a bikini body thing" has gotten so out of hand to me. From everyone and their mom doing or selling BeachBody (nothing against BB, love it!) and exploiting people to try to make money from them is so wrong to me. I'm tired of hearing it! I became a mom last year and while the weight didn't just drop off, I am at a new normal that's healthy, maybe I have a few too many treats, but in general I enjoy what I eat and am not concerned about being a perfect weight. I just moved to Hawaii and thought I'd be so worried about my body because it's bikini season all year, but I actually feel the opposite. Not every single person (or even most people) on the beach have this "ideal" body that doesn't exist. So I feel really comfortable because every type of body is at the beach and it's okay!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl June 27, 2016, 8:20 am
      I'm so glad you have found body peace. That is amazing (and not easy to do)!!
  • Kaitlin Cushman July 23, 2016, 1:24 pm
    You go girl! Totally agree with your sentiments here. Eating healthy doesn't mean you have to be unhappy. You have to find the balance between eating healthy and living life to the fullest. It's all about making mindful decisions and small changes for our health, not starving ourselves or denying ourselves all of the time. I'm loving everything about what you've written here and I'm going to add your article to my content recycler :) Maybe one day we can collaborate! Thanks for sharing. Kaitlin Cushman recently posted...Healthy Fast Food: The Best and Worst Fast Food Chains RevealedMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl July 23, 2016, 2:46 pm
      Absolutely! I'm so glad you could relate in some way. To MORE happiness and good food!
  • teenbikiniguide June 13, 2021, 12:47 am
    I am looking forward to going to the beach with my kids. My body isn’t perfect, but it’s a beautiful thing not to care what others think of how I look

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