June 20th officially kicked off the first day of summer! We are now in the season of heat waves, pool parties, and beach days. For most women, that means new swimsuits! Raise your hand if you have a love/hate relationship with this time of year. (Mine is raised just so you know.) I LOVE family time, being out in the sun, water play with my kids, and relaxing on the beach. But I HATE shopping for bathing suits. My body is not the same as it was when I was 16 years old, wearing the smallest bikini on the market! I have a constant internal battle with myself as I work to love my body just as it is. Through my women-only private group, I know I am not alone. Thin, average, curvy, fun-sized. No matter what, many women fight the same battle I do when it comes to body image. So here’s a challenge for us all this summer: let’s be bold and courageous! Let’s put aside any reservations we have about shopping for new bathing suits this season and let’s find us something that makes us feel beautiful and comfortable in our own skin! I’ll help you get started! 

I had a number of women in my group do exactly what I’m challenging you to do and they even stepped out of their comfort zone to post pics of themselves in their new bathing suits. It always makes me SO happy when women feel comfortable enough to embrace their bodies in our group and then share that victory will all of us! And then my heart just about burst open with admiration when many of the women gave me permission to use their pictures and reviews for this blog! 

These are real women in our community. They are raw, unfiltered, and every single one of them is absolutely beautiful! If you’re up for my challenge, take a look at these and start your search for this summer’s swimsuit!

CONFIDENTLY REAL

I got this swimsuit last summer. I’m a 12-14 and XL in normal clothes. This I had to get an XXL! Ignore the number sizes and get a size bigger than your usual clothing size. The ruffles of the top do go up in the water. Shoulders can go up, but stayed down with no problem. I’m a 38DDD.

ROCKIN’ THAT BIKINI BODY

“On a little vacay with my hubby and bought a few new swimsuits and cover ups for the pool. I saw this one was on sale for prime days today! Cover up, swimsuit, sandals and hair crimper all from amazon.” – Kelsy

HOT MAMA!

“I am 5’6” and 138 lbs. I just started with the one-piece suits last summer after not being able to shed the last of my pregnancy weight and ‘rona got me in the one-piece suits again this year. But when they’re as cute as this, I’m not mad about it! Super high cut in the front and very cheeky in the back. I got boobies and some booty and I feel it’s a flattering look for both.” – Tiffany, she’s a book reseller and you can find more about her HERE!

BRAVE AND BEAUTIFUL

“Being brave! Swimsuit by Cupshe. True to size, as they have listed. I’m a medium, (5’4”, 34c, 150lbs), suit is a medium! I have a back fat roll thing I’m working on eliminating – the criss-cross straps hide it! Win!” -Jennifer

CANCER SURVIVOR!

“I literally have no breast (mastectomy from cancer ). It’s hard to find suits that fit but Amazon has been a good place for me. The suit is so comfy and it’s almost two years old with little wear showing. I get constant compliments and it helps me feel less self conscious especially since I have no breasts. I am a large and it fits TTS When I was a medium I could wear it too.” – Teri, she’s a Color Street stylist and you can find her HERE! 

FEELING SEXY

“I’m not the skinniest but these swimsuits made me feel good in them. I love it and always get so many compliments. The black one is a 2XL. I usually wear a 12 in pants and bathing suits run small already so went up a size from my usual and I love it I don’t feel like it’s running up my butt all the time. I also sized up on the pink one. I love how it covers and hugs my body but not to tight lol it’s great. I’m a Wife, Mom, and Dental Assistant. I’m always insecure about my body even though I do try to workout just like anyone else I always fall off the bandwagon. 🤦🏼‍♀️ I been a mom since the age of 15 and had two kids back to back my 3rd came later in life after meeting my now husband 🥰 not only do I deal with body weight issues I also started developing grey hair at a very young age 🙄 just one more thing to add to my list of insecurities but I’ve learned over time to love my body especially knowing I have a daughter who one day may go through some of the same issues bc as you know we can’t control what’s passed along to us through our genetics. I told myself I never want her to hide who she is like I did for so long. I try to embrace everything about me as best as I can I still have my days but I try to find ways embrace what I have. When it comes to my whole body I realize this is what god gave me and we only have one let’s try our best to love everything about it. I may tan to help when it comes to any blemishes I may have it’s an easy fix to help make me feel better in my bathing suit. I love a two piece but I’ve noticed I’m more insecure when it comes to pictures and I’ll wear a shirt and shorts to cover so really what’s the point of it. Why wear a two piece if I’m going to hide the whole thing 🤷🏼‍♀️ so I have learned to love me some one pieces or to try different styles that I wouldn’t think to try before. I always thought one pieces were for “Older” ladies I was so wrong. My advice is if you like and it makes you feel like a Queen in it buy it! Wear the hell out of it. Own You and all that you got 😉 Be Confident in everything you got Rock it. “
– Donna is a Dental Assistant, and here’s her Instagram.

If this blog post inspired you to start taking those swimsuit selfies, I would love it if you use the hashtag #swimsuitchallenge2020 and tag me on Instagram or Facebook, whichever you use.
Also, if you’re in our awesome Facebook group , don’t be afraid to share your photos in there because we have an amazing community that uplifts and empowers women of all sizes! I know it’s scary posting for the first time, but once you do it and get feedback it feels so good!!! Our group has really helped change my self esteem.