Every spring, fitness magazine headlines scream “6 weeks to a bikini body!” and I think maybe this year I will actually try out these latest exercise and eating plans.  Fast forward to June.  Summer is here again and I haven’t even cracked the cover.  Facing months in a swimsuit is an annual anxiety for many, if not most, women.  No stranger to weight gain and loss, I want to face the sunny days this year with a more confident attitude.

Christina Samycia, PsyD, of the Institute for Inspirational Living, has felt my pain both personally and professionally.  Her approach blends psychotherapy, life coaching and holistic health care services.  “Feeling comfortable in your body is not only an issue we face in the summer, but for some a yearlong, if not lifelong struggle.  I not only have professional experience with body image issues, but personal experience as well,” she said.

“When I work with clients who have body image issues, it is important to get to the root of what they are thinking and feeling, because it is important to uncover the underlying irrational beliefs about our bodies.”   Samycia found confidence by learning to break free from her body anxieties – a lesson I can take to heart.  “I had made a significant step in letting go of my anxiety regarding my body when I discovered that trying to attain perfection was not only impossible, but also very time-consuming.  I had come to realize that by not accepting my body as it is, I truly was not living because I was wasting precious time being unhappy and preoccupied with calories and exercise,” she said.

“Instead of enjoying life, I was miserable because I was trapped by my idea of what I should be.  I realized that to truly be free, I had to stop worrying about my body.”     At 38, she says “I have never been more comfortable in my body.  I made a shift.  I decided to practice what I call ‘radical acceptance,’ which can be used in a myriad of different experiences.  I decided to love my body and accept it exactly how it is and live in the moment.”

Ready to reveal

Armed with new-found body confidence, now what do I wear to the beach?   Susan E. Ostrov, a Chicago-based personal shopper and style consultant, says summer trends include ruffles, cut-out swimsuits, suits with hardware and “blue is a very ‘in’ color.”

“Not showing as much skin is very in right now, suits that offer a bit more coverage but are still sexy and beautiful,” she said.  (My fragile body attitude definitely welcomes that trend).  Ostrov also offered her picks beyond suits: crocheted dresses, relaxed pants, clogs, fringe, big necklaces,“but not bib necklaces; they seem to be passé for now” and neutral tones.

And don’t forget the importance of a good base layer.  “Good bras are a must!  For summer T’s and tanks, it is crucial to be properly fitted for a bra and to watch that you wear bras that are smooth under more revealing and clingy clothing.  With bathing suits this is true as well.  Choose suits with wire support for the best looks and be careful of over-exposing – it isn’t sexy.  It is very important that whatever suit one wears, the bust is well-supported.”

With the higher temps and daunting days of more skin showing, really comfort is the key.  “My advice for those who want to be comfortable in their summer clothing: wear what suits your figure best and don’t feel you have to wear exactly what’s trendy,” Ostrov said.

“Dresses are fabulous because they can be worn to show what’s great about a figure and can cover where it’s needed by choosing a good length for one’s legs, type of sleeve … and dresses are cool and easy – lightweight – and there are tons of dresses in every store, at every price range.”

Now, it’s time to face summer with a sunnier disposition.  “This summer, we need to live in the moment, embrace our bodies exactly how they are and be grateful that the sun is shining!” Samycia said.

For more information on clothing trends, check out Ostrov’s site at www.chicagofashionconsultant.com .
To live a more inspired life, visit Samycia’s site at www.inspirationalliving.org or her blog at http://www.lifelessonsihavelearnedalongtheway.blogspot.com/