Some thoughts and discussions from me.

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Yes, I realize the title of this post is kind of eye-roll-worthy, but keep reading. The title is not what it seems. I’m not here to give you tips on how to “look your best in a bikini this summer.”

Last week I was in Florida, and I spent a large chunk of time either on the beach, in the ocean, or in the pool. In other words– I was in a bikini 87% of the time last week – and I managed to give zero cares as to what other people thought of my body while in said bikini.

Leading up to the trip, I didn’t cut carbs, watch calories, or limit indulgences. Heck, I’d say I’ve been more lax and indulgent about my diet in the past few months than I have been in a long time. The fact that swim suit season is here, and that I’d be on the beach in a bikini didn’t affect my food intake or exercise regimen at all -  nor should it!

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The thought that what we wear to the beach or pool is to appease someone else is ludicrous. What other people think about my body in a bikini won’t effect my fun-having-level either way. I’m going to play in the sand and swim in the ocean regardless – and did!

I haven’t always had this mindset, though. Gosh, I can remember in high school – and even college – doing leg and butt exercises in my room while in my swim suit, just minutes before I knew I’d be in my bikini in front of other people. I’d also hang up pictures of Victoria’s Secret models for motivation to get my body to look like theirs. The notion that I could somehow transform my body into a completely different body type and shape is almost as absurd as the idea that I needed my ‘bikini body’ for the sake of what other people thought!

It seems this topic has been talked about a lot lately;  It’s been the topic of many a blogs lately. And yes, I’m reiterating it, because I think it’s a damn good message. I first saw this simple statement come from Neghar Fonooni talking about how to get a bikini body:

How To Get a Bikini Body

1. Put a bikini on your body.

It’s as simple as that; there is no step 2. It’s a bikni body because it’s a body with a bikini on it.

I’m not my leanest right now. I’m not my strongest, and I’ve been more shredded and cut. My ass doesn’t look the best it has in the past (partly thanks to my new obsession with trail running, but mostly to my affinity for cheeseburgers and beer Winking smile) Yep, some would say (and have, in so many words) that I don’t “have my bikini body.” But frankly, when I was more cut and lean, I wasn’t happy – and more importantly, I wasn’t even healthy. The past 3 months, instead of obsessively focusing on “getting my bikini body,” I was focusing on having fun with friends, enjoying life, and enjoying movement, and moderation.

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I’m happy, I’m healthy, and I feel physically capable to do what I want. Would I like to lose a little body fat? Eh sure, but it absolutely doesn’t dictate whether or not I’m going to wear a bikini to the beach. Now, I’m not saying at all that you have to wear a bikini. I’m not here to try and tell you what to do! Wear whatever you want, just don’t let what you think other people think be the reason. You get to decide for yourself Smile

So, how did I get my bikini body? I put a bikini ON my body.