Tuesday night we went to the pool as a family. It was a spur of the moment idea but something I want to do more often. We ate dinner early and I remembered thinking to myself, "Oh sure eat this HUGE dinner right before you put on a bathing suit and head to the PUBLIC pool." But such is life and we went and had the time of our lives. And even better it made for a very easy bedtime. I'm thinking we should go to the pool every night now.
As we were winding down to leave, I was feeding James his bottle and Jimmy was playing with Kendall for the last 15 minutes before the pool closed. I sat in that pool chair and looked around at the few people who were still left and it was mostly dads. It was cute to see all the dads huddled around the little, double slide watching their pride and joy come swooshing down into the water, happy as a lark. They all had smiles on their faces and you could see the pride radiating from their bodies. It was adorable.
I also noticed how confident they all looked. None of them were standing in an awkward position, as to not expose their "problem areas". They weren't afraid to bend over and have their belly hang over their trunks a little bit. They didn't have their hands placed over their stomachs. Nothing. They were just standing their, all exposed, and owning it. And I thought, I wish women would embrace this.
I looked around at the moms who were there. One had a brand new, I mean fresh out of the oven, baby and she was rocking her bikini. And she looked great, I could only wish I looked that good that soon after giving birth. She looked confident and happy. As a matter of fact, the first time I saw her she was eating a massive cheese burger and her husband was chowing down on a salad and I kind of had a chuckle. But besides this one mom it seemed like the others were all self conscious, it made me sad.
Why can't moms be more confident like the dads. Some of these dads were in great shape and others had a little belly and it didn't matter. None of them even wore a t-shirt to cover up. The moms on the other hand were quick to grab a towel or their cover-up as soon as they were out of the water. Even the ones with rocking bodies.
I know that everyone has their hang ups when it comes to their bodies. Even the ones who seem to have the most perfect physique can find some kind of flaw. I've been working my butt off and I still could give you a laundry list of things I'd like to improve on. But why? Why can't we be more like the dads. Their bodies were far from perfect but I doubt they eat themselves up over it when they are putting on their trunks. They were just having fun with their kids and not worrying about their flaws.
I learned a lot about myself in that short period of time while feeding my son. I am going to let go of my insecurities, not worry about my silly belly pooch when I bend over, and just HAVE FUN with my kids. We only have this one, precious life and it's far to short to worry about things like cellulite. Besides, I have that pooch and those stretchmarks because of them and they are worth everything.
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This is so true. We women just care too much and we shouldn't. I did finally find a bathing suit I totally look comfortable in but I still worry about it.
ReplyDeleteOkay a - that is the COOLEST POOL EVER. I have nothing like that around me and I am so jealous. b - this post is awesome. I often see this too on the beach a lot and think about it too. Women are so quick to cover up and over analyze and I think so much it is because we're worried about what other *women* are thinking about us. I'm guilty of seeing someone and thinking, "Whoa she shouldn't be wearing that". Guys don't care about that stuff. No guy is going to look at another guy and go, wow look at his gut. It really takes a full change in how women perceive and treat other women because a lot of the time we're the worst enemies of each other when we should be each other's biggest supporters. It takes a lot to come to the conclusion that you did and you absolutely should be proud - you look amazing and created two phenomenal kids with that bod.
ReplyDeleteI think it is my age, but I just don't even care anymore. When you hit a certain age sometimes you just don't give a doodle. That is something I am really thankful for. Plus, a while ago, I discovered that EVERYONE no matter what they look like, has their own issues. I always thought i looked terrible in a swimsuit, and then a friend's sister (who is tiny!!!) told me I looked great in a swimsuit because I filled it out well. (meaning my breasts). After that, I had an epiphany about body image- everyone has something they aren't happy with, so embrace what God has given you!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I wish we had a pool like that! And we discussed this a lot, so, you know I agree. I want to hunch over and be confident like a man! LOL
ReplyDeleteMy pooch is what sicken's me. I wish I cold put the hang-ups aside too.
ReplyDeleteP.S. You littles are just to stinkn' cute. I think Oli and James would be fun to watch play together. Damn geography.
You are so right! I'm having my first pool party next weekend and it's the first time I will be in a bathing suit around people. And while I know I need to buy myself some bigger bottoms, I do NOT think I will be buying myself a one piece. I know I may be only three months out from having a baby and that shit ain't pretty, BUT on the other hand, I'm three month's out from having a baby and that shit could be a LOT worse!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this post! I work out a lot too and should be proud of the body I have. My goal is to rock my bikini this summer and be proud of who I am and how far I've come.
ReplyDeleteI've never thought of this before but you are totally correct! I've never seen a man at the pool look self conscious! We definitely need to take a leaf out of their books :)
ReplyDeleteAmen, mama! I had a similar revelation this week. I ended up jumping around in the pool with my kids and I didn't worry about covering up.
ReplyDeleteAlso? That pool is AWESOME.
I wish I was more confident in my body too :( It sucks to feel this uncomfortable in your own skin. 4 kids did a number to me.
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