Light As a Feather

The summer just snuck up on us. One day we're bundled up in sweaters and scarves, and now we're shedding our layers for swimsuits. Ugh, I'm not ready. Yesterday I was relaxing by the pool with some girlfriends and we were all lamenting over this situation. We thought we had more time to prepare. You know, cut back on the carbs, eat more leafy greens, and actually make an effort to hit the gym. Yeah, that didn't exactly happen. But what's the big deal about shedding weight for a beach body anyway?

The idea of dieting has been around since ancient times, but it wasn't until the 1800s that fad diets hit the market. People have resorted to chewing and then spitting out their food, taking arsenic, and even digesting tapeworms to lose pounds. I would like to think that we're a little more sensible and civilized now, but the idea that we need to go to extremes to look thin and attractive still remains. We've traded in the parasites and poison for lipo and crash diets.

As models, we are asked by our agents to stay in shape which isn't too much to ask. When you show up to a job as a 6 and the client is expecting a size 2, that's definitely a problem. A professional model is required to maintain a certain look, and unfortunately the look can be interpreted as skinny. That idea of beauty and weight spills over into how the average woman thinks she should look. If you see thin models and celebrities that pop culture says are pretty, then you think you should aspire to look like them to be attractive too. There are very few people who are immune to these persuasive images. I even size myself up with those thin models, but I know that super skinny body type is definitely not healthy for me.

So how can you stop being so critical of your own love handles? Face reality. Those celebrities you idolize with the super sculpted bodies work out for hours with a trainer everyday and do expensive juice cleanses to lose weight. That just isn't possible in the real world. What you can do is incorporate more fresh fruits and veggies in your life and stay active. Also, you've got to forget about the numbers and focus on how you feel. I avoid scales, because I think they're evil. Instead, I consider my energy level. If I'm sluggish or stressed, then I know my body is in bad shape and I need to do better. Last but not least, the ancient Greeks thought walking around naked was good for weight loss. I'm not big on losing pounds, but I love the idea of actually taking a good look at yourself in the nude. Instead of avoiding full length mirrors, run right up to them and strike a pose. Get used to the idea of accepting your body and liking it. Sure there may be room for improvement, but you don't need an extreme home makeover.

Getting back to the original story... after finally stripping off our coverups and sulking over the lack of prep time for bikini season, we all were able to relax. Stretch marks... yeah, we've got them. Cellulite... oh, there you are. Hello, bloated tummy. You can't photoshop your body in real life and in real time. What you see is what you get and there's nothing wrong with that.