With summer days in full swing, our fears and insecurities surrounding our bodies are amplified as the made-up phrases “Summer Body”, “Beach Body”, and “Bikini Body” keep cropping up everywhere—on social media, in magazines, even out of the mouths of our family and friends.
While “Summer Body” isn’t the only phrase that needs to wither away until it’s never spoken of again, I can safely say so does “Beach Body” and “Bikini Body”.
Why? Because they carry such deeply harmful connotations, especially toward people in larger bodies.
These phrases indicate that as the weather gets warmer, we are supposed to manipulate our body’s to look a certain way—typically, thin and toned during the spring/summer months.
This ridiculous notion is dangerous. It leads people to implement health practices that aren’t always in their body’s best interest. I’m talking about the fad diets. The skinny teas. The calorie-defecit meal plans. The excessive workout routines.
The list goes on and on!
And it’s frustrating because “Summer Body” suggests that the only way to enjoy the season depends wholly on our size and whether or not we have a tummy, back fat, cellulite or dimples. As if we can’t exist in larger bodies and still enjoy long days at the beach and night swims at the pool.
For me, my “Summer Body” is my “All Year Body”.
My “Bikini Body” is my “All Year Body”.
And my “Beach Body” is… you guessed it, my “All Year Body.”
If I could wave a magic wand and eliminate those phrases from our vocabulary, I would. But since I can’t, I’m just going to keep living my life without changing my body for any season or reason.
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For more inspirational content like this, check out my Instagram (@et.the.rd). If you need a refresher on how to escape diet culture this year, check out this blog. I’m also taking on new clients for personalized 1:1 nutrition counseling! You can book a consultation call with me here.