by Haven Logan PH.D

Think highly of yourself because the world
takes you at your own estimate.-- author unknown

In February the ground hog comes out of its warm burrow to look for its shadow, predicting whether or not there will be six more weeks of winter. In early spring human beings emerge from the safe confines of their warm, forgiving winter clothing to face the harsh reality of next summer’s swimsuit. Whether we are contemplating a bikini or just hoping for something to decently cover ourselves, fear sets in for many of us. Will last year’s suit be OK, or will I have to face the dreaded shopping for a swimsuit? Why didn’t I keep those New Year’s weight-loss resolutions? Why can’t we wear those “bathing gowns” from the 1880’s which covered everything, especially since we now know that we should protect ourselves from the sun?

How much anxiety we experience about the upcoming swimsuit season depends on a number of factors including; gender, age, body image and how much we care about the opinion of others. If you are feeling some anxiety, I hope that you will not deprive yourself of the joys and wonderful exercise of swimming because you are uncomfortable in a swimsuit. Using the four steps from my book Choosing to Be Well, let’s look at how you can feel more comfortable this summer at the pool or beach. As the quote above states, the world will take “you at your own estimate,” so you want to feel good about yourself in your swimsuit.

Step # 1 Cooperating “There’s no way I’m going to be seen in a swimsuit!” “You have to wear one. We’re all going to the beach for vacation.” Thus go on the conflicting voices in our heads: the emotional child who is worried about what others will think and the rational adult who is looking at the practical realities. The trick is to get them to work in cooperation and to respect each other’s point of view. The adult says, “You know how much you love to swim. We’ll figure out something so you’re comfortable.” The child responds, “Maybe I’ll go if I can get a new swimsuit.”

Step # 2 Observing Here is where you step back from your emotions and prejudices. Before you start packing for vacation or heading to the department store, spend some time in the privacy of your home in front of a full-length mirror. Try on last year’s suit and view it from all angles as an objective observer. Perhaps the suit looks OK or perhaps not. Maybe you’ve gained more weight over the past year than you thought. Identify the problem areas, if your current suit is just not right. This is a great time to do some research on the Web. Goggle “swimsuit” and you will find multiple sites offering advice on the best suit for your body type.

Step # 3 Accepting Having looked at yourself and your swimsuit objectively, now is the time to accept what is. This doesn’t mean you might not prefer to have the body that appears on the cover of your favorite magazine or your own body at 18. It means that you accept the reality of your body today. Only when you reach this acceptance will you be free to take constructive action. Part of accepting includes looking at whether or not you even need a swimsuit. If you have young children or grandchildren whom you will be watching at the pool or if you love swimming or if you have been told by your doctor that it’s the best exercise for you, given your knee pain, you have to own a suit. On the other hand, if you don’t like swimming and have no plans to go to the beach your acceptance may be realizing that you don’t have to bother with a swimsuit at all
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Step# 4 Choosing Based on the three steps above, you are now in a good position to make some decisions about what you want to do. If you’re not content with what you saw in the mirror in Step #2 you may decide to either lose weight and/or get a new swim suit.

If your goal is to loose weight, be realistic about how much you can loose in three or four months. One to two pounds a week is a safe goal. Remember the basic principal for weight loss is “calories in/calories out.” To measure “calories in” keep a written food diary or use a computer program such as the one at www.dietpower.com

Look at increasing your “calories out” by more frequent exercise that you both enjoy and that fits in with your lifestyle. While I don’t usually recommend losing weight for a particular event, I’ll make an exception for swimsuit season if the ultimate result is that you have a healthier and more enjoyable summer.

If your goal is simply to find a new swimsuit you are pleased with, evaluate the information you have gathered on the best style, size and colors for you. Have a clear picture in your mind before you set out shopping. It may help to bring a friend or family member along for feedback and moral support.

Deciding to try shopping on the Web this year for a swimsuit, I found the website swimsuitsforall.com . I called for a “personal advisor” who turned out to be a delightful woman with a compassionate sense of humor about the challenges of swimsuit shopping. We reviewed the different styles and discussed how I would be using the suit. I made my two selections, entered my credit card number and waited for the suits to arrive for a try-on in the privacy of my home. They arrived within a week. One I really liked and the other I’ll be sending back. I’ll have to say, it’s been a much easier experience than enduring the impersonal department stores that often cater to the younger set.

Whatever approach you choose, may you too find the suit that helps you to think highly of yourself. You deserve it.