2-piece, please.

“Oh mag-Bo-Bora pa tayo ah (hey, we’re still going to Bora!)”, warned my aunt jokingly, as we chomped on the celebratory feast we had (& have been having almost every meal) when my relatives from Canada flew in. Of course I didn’t mind it, we’re family, that’s what we do, we tease and kid each other; but on a serious note, I have indeed been in the situation wherein I dreaded the period from the moment I book myself a plane ride, to the actual moment I arrive the crystal shores, because it’s that period wherein I try my best to “get in shape” for the beach. You know, that period where you dedicate a lot of effort to reach that desired “swimsuit body”, so you’re just about “ready” to hit the beach. This was years ago when body-acceptance had nothing to do with me, but then I would be a hypocrite if I said thoughts of doubt and fear never entered my mind the entire time I anticipated our Boracay trip.

*Note: DO NOT GET ME WRONG. There is nothing wrong with getting into shape. However, we should be realistic with our weight loss goals; we obviously cannot lose weight in a couple of weeks. ALSO, AS I HAVE STATED A MILLION TIMES IN THIS BLOG, DESIRE FITNESS, NOT THINNESS. What are your reasons for wanting to lose weight? Shallow reasons produce shallow efforts.

However, I finally decided to step out of faith and enter a new milestone with my body: to wear a bikini in public--and no, I didn’t go through crazy diets the entire time I waited for the trip. HURRAH!

It has been 5 years since I last wore a bikini, and I was much slimmer then. However, I still had very poor body image and always put on a rash guard to cover my soft tummy. I believe it’s because we, women, have been trained by the society to cover our bodies shamefully every time we hit the beach (or whenever for that matter), if we did not fit the mold of the stereotypical bikini bod they shove down our throats everywhere. From thirst-quenching drinks to sunblocks, we see that one figure of the toned, tanned woman, flawless and carefree, enjoying the beach. Hence, the fear and body frustration every time summer comes.

For me, however, it was different. As I buy my 2-piece swimsuit, I was excited--elated even--because I will experience something new with my body. I was really surprised how body-acceptance has allowed me to do things I never imagined I could. It has allowed me to not take offense (as I lay on the beach chair getting a tan, a local said “may dambuhala! (there's a monster!)” in passing, I guess he thought I was asleep) and realize that not all people are wise enough to reject the media’s false images of what women’s bodies MUST be (that’s why I am so grateful every time someone joins our bandwagon, because I know not everyone is open to it). It also erased in me the lie that I am not supposed to wear a certain type of swimsuit because apparently, “I do not have the body for it”. Well guess what, I do have a body, and it’s very much perfect for a 2-piece swimsuit. It is different among everyone else’s, especially what the media shows, and that’s why I love it. As I’ve said, every body is a bikini body, because no one should dictate which ones are allowed to wear one and which ones are not. I loved how this experience made me embrace my body more and take one step further in my body-acceptance journey.

Remember, life is too short to be afraid of your bikinis. WEAR ONE THIS SUMMER!!! :)

Crazy jump shot!

The "Chicken wing"

Tryin' to look pin-up! XD

Plump love,

Danah ♥