Bikini Panic

‘Tis the season, ladies (however, arguably men also experience “bikini panic”). What amuses me most about this phrase is the perfect word choice of “panic.” Suddenly, we are hyper-aware of our paleness, our jiggly bits, our six-pack-less-ness; and we are struck by a paradoxical desire to both go to the beach and enjoy the beautiful weather, and also to never wear a bathing suit in public. So what is there left to do but panic and stop eating?

Please do not stop eating. Please do not panic. At this point you are probably expecting me to launch into an exhaustive account of how to adjust your workout and nutrition program to lose ten pounds in a month… Well, I’m not going to do that. I’m a maverick. Can you lose 10 pounds in a month? Sure. Can you just as easily gain it all back in two weeks? Absolutely. I’m not trying to be a Debbie Downer here, perhaps more of a Realistic Regina. Unless you make consistent healthy choices all year round, the bikini panic is useless and an unnecessary stressor; your jiggly bits will return to jiggly, your pale bits will burn, and your seasonal-six-pack will once again retreat under a layer of belly fat. Instead, make a choice to look and feel good all year round.

There is no need to panic if you stay regular with your workouts and nutrition choices. I really cannot say this enough: consistency is key! Consistency will help you maintain your mental and physical well-being throughout the entire year. If you are consistent with your exercise and nutrition program and you’re still experiencing bathing suit panic, here is my advice: calm down. We all feel self-conscious in a bathing suit; even those people who you perceive to have a “better body” than you are checking themselves out in the mirror, wondering if their suit gives them a “muffin top.” It’s human nature to be self-critical. Get over it and enjoy yourself.

Let go of the panic, and choose consistency and confidence instead. Allow yourself to have fun this summer, jiggly bits and all.