Thursday, June 13, 2013

swimsuit season. we meet again.

Okay.
I'm just gonna lay it all out there.

Over the past 6 1/2 years since I became a mom I've let the pounds sneak up on me.
They've come and gone because of babies and nursing and weddings and events and such.
Mostly they've come.

I'm eating for two...
Nursing burns 500 extra calories a day...
I just want to taste test this frosting I made...
Oh and the batter too...
Just one more spoonful of frosting...
Maybe a cookie for good measure...
I'm so happy!
I'm so sad!
I'm bored...

Blah blah blah.

And now here I am.
Not so thrilled with how my clothes fit.
Not enough energy leaving me ready for a nap every afternoon.
And the scariest...I'm going to be at the pool all day, every day starting VERY soon.

You guys.
I have a 1 year old with no fear.
And two boys that somehow always end up in a sort of wrestling match.
The pool is not a time when I sit back and relax.
My life is just not in that stage right now.
I'm either refereeing or chasing a baby who wants to do whatever crazy dangerous thing the big kids are doing.

I can't hide under a beach umbrella with a drink.
I can't hide on my pool chair and read a gossipy magazine.
My days of sauntering around the pool in a cute coverup or with a towel around my waist are gone.

I'm out there lugging towels and snacks and Crocs and goggles and someone's snorkel.
I'm chasing someone who just can't wait another second to jump in the pool with a bottle of suntan lotion.
I'm trying to keep our daredevil from climbing up the slide and going back down headfirst.

I'm out there in a bathing suit for all the world to see.
No hiding.

And I can't forget the girls home from college babysitting and nannying.
Looking all cute in their bathing suits.
Laying out.
Working on their tans.
While I'm feeling all...MOM...in my bathing suit.

And feeling like a mom is not a bad thing...
I know this is a silly insecurity...
I love being a mom...
it's my most favorite thing ever...
I'd gain every pound and then ten more for my children...
But returning to my pre-mom, college body would be pretty awesome.

I've always tried to get the thumbs up to make a come back. :)

So when Slim-Fast offered me the opportunity to try their products I jumped at the chance.
I do plenty of {silent} complaining, but haven't done too much about it.
I half heartedly run and get motivated, but I've just been stuck in a rut.

Way back when I used to love Slim-Fast bars for breakfast and lunch.
I maintained my weight and I didn't have to do any thinking...just grab a bar and be done.
I'm going to try the bars again.
So simple...just my style...and hopefully the kickstart I need...the seams on my bathing suit will thank me! ;)

Now tell me...
Do you do this?  Do you have this same freak out each bathing suit season? What goes on inside YOUR head? Tell me, tell me! Every comment is an entry, which will be pooled between participating blogs and two lucky winners will be picked at random to each win a $1,000 SpaFinder gift card!

Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: "#SweepstakesEntry"; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 6/13/13 - 6/30/13.
Be sure to visit the Slim-Fast brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

63 comments:

  1. I haven't looked great in a swimsuit since...well...maybe since I was a preteen. I just remember the incredible insecurities I had from the time I turned 13 on and I have tried to hide ever since and hoped no one ever saw me. The bad thing is that I can look back at pictures of my younger self and see I had a really fit body. Such a bummer! Anyway, three kiddos and poor eating habits later...now I'm overweight but plugging away on losing the extra pounds. Maybe NEXT summer I'll be rocking my suit again. :) What I've been trying is to just eat more healthy foods...focus on the veggies since I really stink at getting those into my diet. I had great success with juicing veggies...felt better than I have in probably a decade. I got out of the habit but plan to pick it back up now that it's summer and the Farmer's Market is open. Best of luck to you!

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  2. I think you look awesome! My husband once said something about wishing HE could 'relax at the pool' and I got furious! There's no such thing as 'relaxing at the pool' when you have 4 kids 4 and under!

    I don't remember having insecurities about my body when I was younger, I was leggy yet curvy and rocked a bikini without cares. Two kids and a set of twins and a decade later I was all about some Miraclesuit! I would like to lose some weight and get healthier but am facing the facts that a 30 minute walk everywhere were I try to slowly meander and enjoy some alone time isn't going to burn enough calories to shed the rest of the baby weight!

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  3. I wish I could wear a bathing suit, period.

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  4. I would love to be thinner,..but since my early 20's ( when I had my Daughter ) -- I seem to have bigger hips. I used to wear a bikini when I was a teenager, but havent owned a bathing suit for many years...
    I was raised on a Farm, but Im not really a "outdoorsy" kind of girl.. =) but love the water!

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  5. I had a similar realization last Wednesday! I bought a new swimsuit this year as the old one was 6 years old and worn out. So, I found a cute tankini at Old Navy that seemed to cover what two kids did to my once flat stomach ( I didn't try it on at the store, brought it home, washed it--so not returnable. Geez I should know better.) So, come Wednesday, it's hot and the 4 year old really wants to go to the pool. I put on the swimsuit only to discover it doesn't cover the now not-so-flat stomach as well as I would have liked. I sucked it up and went to the pool where much fun was had. However, I've been eating lots of fruit and salad since then! :) Enjoy the pool this summer!

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  6. The only I freak out about is making sure it covers my stomach with out looking mom-ish. I have stretch marks I don't care to share with the outside world.

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  7. I completely feel the same way. Sarahespn at gmail. Com

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  8. Last year at the age of 41 I decided to wear bikini's again. The bottoms are now "skirts" but still belly exposed...stretch marks and all. I guess I was at the beach on vacation and decided....it's not going to get any better....I'm not getting any younger...it's not that bad! I will continue to try and eat healthy and move more but I am going to wear a bikini while I can. :) I guess it's true that when you hit your 40's you stop really caring what other people think and start making yourself happy?? Enjoy the pool with your littles....you look GREAT!!

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  9. I'm not too hard on myself at all, granted I'm fortunate to hail from a tall/thin lineage, but regardless I'm just not one to be very critical about my (or others) physical appearance.

    heatheranne99 at gmail dot com

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  10. Tweet!
    https://twitter.com/KaizenFashion/status/347007696983162881

    heatheranne99 at gmail dot com

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  11. I want to loose weight to be able to enjoy going to the beach wearing bikini.

    elena150980@yahoo.com

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  12. https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/347870486216196096

    elena150980@yahoo.com

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  13. It's been a long time since I had a bikini body and now I don't have the body for any type of swimwear to look good. And it isn't just the weight; it's the saggy skin and wrinkles. So I'm just going to be one of those people that get "those" looks. You know, the ones that say "What in the world is she doing in a bathing suit! Doesn't she know how bad she looks?"

    willitara [at] gmail [dot] com

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  14. swimsuit shopping is depressing, i have 30 lbs to lose pry.school.1@gmail.com

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  15. tweet https://twitter.com/holly_gardens/status/348517996345581571 pry.school.1@gmail.com

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  16. I haven't worn a bathing suit in years. I would have to lose much weight to do so.

    rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com

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  17. oh yeah....so glad I'm not alone in the swim suit freak out department. :P I keep asking myself what should I do and what to eat just to lose a few pounds here and there so I can fit into my old bikinis (before kids) again! but now, I'm settled for a 1 piece, try not to scar away people in the pool/beach. LOL...I better grab a case of this Slim-Fast thingy and give them a try.

    amy [at] utry [dot] it

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  18. tweeted:
    https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/349234867147505664

    amy [at] utry [dot] it

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  19. I definitely have freakouts over swimsuit season. Putting aside all weight issues, I hate hate HATE spending hours shopping for a swimsuit that fits right and looks good. It's so demoralizing!

    email in Blogger profile

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  20. https://twitter.com/CarlyHobart/status/350175012310880257

    Email in Blogger profile

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  21. i do, i try to avoid the situation alltogether

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  22. i have not had a suit in year it to much stress

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  23. I'd like to feel more comfortable in my bathing suit.

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  24. I used to freak out about swimsuit season - now I just make sure I have a cute cover-up :P
    adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

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  25. I used to but not swimming much currently.

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  26. freak out every summer about putting a suit on -- only did it today for the first time this summer and basically had to not think about it! ugh!!
    tvollowitz at aol dot com

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  27. Bathing suit season is always stressful. I don't want others thinking "man, she really put on the pounds." There is no hiding the added weight when you are in your swimsuit.

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  28. I haven't worn a bikini in years since I am so self conscious.

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  29. I wont wear a bikini...to much stretch and sag
    ky_grandma40@yahoo.com

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  30. I don't get overly frustrated during swimsuit season because I workout on a daily basis and I eat right.

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  31. I wear a shirt over my bathing suit (one piece) usually. Not proud of my flab right now, but I am working diligently on it (I walk 8 miles outside per week, 3x/week at the gym, myfitnesspal, the whole she-bang!)
    tamarsweeps-at-gmail-dot-com

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  32. Ouch... I hide during bathing suit season-actually always look for a cute bathing suit cover
    Diane Baum
    esldiane@gmail.com

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  33. I have always had issues with wearing a bathing suit,even when young and in shape . I always felt fat.. so I haven't worn a bathing suit for many yrs.. since the kids grew up.I am working on getting into shape now with diet and exercise and hope I can have a better body image

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  34. i always feel bad in swimsuits. i wear skirted suits to cover up
    flyergal82 AT (yahoo) /dot/ $com%

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  35. Nope. I don't even own a swimsuit. I just wear shorts and a tee in my own backyard swimming hole, so it is not an issue for me. LOL
    Angie
    14earth at gmail dot com

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  36. I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/350973962307645440
    Angie
    14earth at gmail dot com

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  37. I used to, but I've kind of mellowed and think about it less. The more I realized how SO many people look more like me and not the people in the magazines,and that no one really cares, it was freeing. But I'm still sympathetic to everyone along their way, and sometimes it depends on my mood.
    mizvickik at gmail dot com

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  38. my main motivation is the health benefits of working out...I am not looking to lose weight just to be able to outrun my hubby :)))

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  39. I don't care much for swimsuit season either. Let's just say my bikini wearing days are done, and I don't really feel comfortable in any swimming suit really.

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  40. tweeted https://twitter.com/heathermanu1/status/351035236785725440

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  41. no I an a firm believer of the shirt over suit option

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  42. I so seldom where a bathing suit that I really don't pay much attention to it. A lot of times when I do I have a cover up on to keep from getting sun burned.

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  43. Yes I freak out at swimsuit time!! I actually just bought a suit today without trying it on for fear that I would be really upset with what I see staring back at me.

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  44. I just want to get my body in shape and eat better so I am not so bloated! I have not worn a bathing suit yet this year.

    motioncitycutie(at)aol(dot)com

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  45. I'd love to be able to be confident enough to go out swimming with the family. There's a Great Wolf Lodge nearby and my daughter has been wanting to go. *sigh* I have so much weight to lose it looks like weight loss surgery is the answer for me. However, maybe it's not..I've got two family members that have botched surgeries and horrible effects from it all. I wish I was one of those naturally skinny people.

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  46. I have not worn a swimsuit since I turned 13. I am 35- nuff said

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  47. Tweet - https://twitter.com/willitara/status/351228839361396737

    willitara [at] gmail [dot] com

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  48. I don't freak out too much - I've just learned to accept what is.....
    nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net

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  49. tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/351358936164732928
    nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net

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  50. I don't freak out too much because I am not much of a swimmer unfortunately!!

    wlbellows at gmail dot com

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  51. https://twitter.com/electricstar/status/351367428007137280

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  52. It's not something that I really think much about. I could either wear a bikini or not.

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  53. I have it every season and every season I ask myself who did I not prepare myself for this time of year? I always tell myself that after the holidays I am really going to buckle down and have a bikini body by the start of summer. It never fails that by time bathing suit season arrives I am still in my holiday phase!
    Laurie Emerson
    lauraemerson17 at yahoo dot com

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  54. tweet
    https://twitter.com/laurallee56/status/351434991726628864

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  55. https://twitter.com/bittripfan/status/351475245040934912

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  56. I stay active by swimming 3 times a week and want to look good in my bathing suits.
    Thanks for the contest.

    slehan at juno dot com

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  57. https://twitter.com/slehan/status/351479598309064704

    slehan at juno dot com

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  58. "Why or why" is what goes inside my head when it comes to bathing suits season.

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  59. -https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/351481993021767682

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  60. Every year in summer, I get the crazy notion in my head to be super skinny.

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  61. https://twitter.com/sohamolina/status/351489541749739523

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