After I had my suspicious mole last summer I was told by some that the bikini would be no more. At least for me. I balked at this. When the comment was quickly followed by the classic, “Besides you are a Mom now. You don’t want to be one of those Moms who you see at the pool wearing a bikini….”
Excuse me what?! I wanted to breathe fire.
While I may not have the body I did when I was 24, I have spent a fare share of my time at the gym toning and cardioing my butt off well into my 30’s and not just because I want to look swimsuit ready but because I like how I feel after a good episode of sweating. I refuse to go up a size with each child. Yes, I had a child and my body changed but I’m still a size six! I’m proud of that fact. Quite frankly I don’t feel comfortable in a one piece. I’m long in the torso and I suspect that walking around the pool with a case of massive camel toe would be a bit worse than if I wore a two-piece and my thighs don’t look like that of a 12 year-old girl or baby giraffe.
Besides, has anyone seen some of the teens at the pool lately? I hate to say it, but um… they could do with a dose of gym time and the total overhaul and tearing down of a body that pregnancy can do. Some of them need some tough gym love. I don’t feel quite so bad about myself when I see that my stomach is far flatter after one kid than some of the teenage girls at the pool or even the lifeguards. So why can’t I rock that bikini I ask?
Another thing while I’m at it, because for some reason I don’t see this so much in my neck of the woods. I’m sort of small but curvy girl. I’m 4.5 months pregnant but my stomach is like a cantaloupe right now. I tried on that giant tent of a maternity swim suit. I bought it with good intentions. You know the kind that is supposed to mimic a tankini? No, I don’t even wear that no matter how many times I’m told I could by other Moms. I loathe that wet suit feel on my stomach and I have abs – I’m showing them off dammit! That suit made me feel like a giant crow. I was covered and looked about 40 pounds heavier. I dug out my two-piece and felt much more comfortable. Yes, I was glaringly white and might have blinded a pool patron or two that first outing, but I was happy to note that for the first time I was asked when I was due by even the clueless male lifeguards. I was told by some of the rather nice Moms out there that I looked terrific and amazing too.
Now if that doesn’t help a pregnant woman out what does?
And that’s my rant in favor of the bikini.
Here I am in Jamaica seven months after having T.D. It’s not a full body shot but it is the best I could do. Now really? Granted I’m much ’rounder’ now but I still stand by my right to wear a bikini.
This post was written for Parent Bloggers Network as part of a sweepstakes sponsored by BOCA and their new Balanced Living group. It is all about eating better and living better, bikini lover or not.
You are hot, that’s all I gotta say. You are in that pic, you were 6 mos. ago, and you are now 4.5 mos preggers. Go on and rock that bikini! ;)Love.
With all that gym time and a rockin bod to show for it, you earned the right to be “one of those moms” (seriously folks, what year is it, 1952??).
I say- Rock that Bikini! I’m going to do it this summer too. Stretch marks and all! Those kids have nothing up on me.
Proudly strut that bikini! And don’t let anyone tell you, you can’t or shouldn’t for any reason.
Way to go! I also refused to wear a maternity swim suit until I absolutely had to. I was flaunting the belly in my old bikini until the last 2 months of my pregnancy or so, when I couldn’t properly groom my nether regions anymore. Only THEN did I wear the mumu. Now, although my belly is softer than before, I am back to the bikini. Nursing sure does make for some great cleavage, too!
You look amazing! I am a bikini girl too – takes the focus off my thighs!
That’s awesome! You look fantastic. I’m 24 and wearing a bikini should have NOTHING to do with age/kids/whatever…I wouldn’t wear one right now, but if I looked like you, I totally would!