Bathing Suit Blues - Be Gone!

Throw away your self-consciousness and enjoy this summer!

Whether you call it a cossie, bathers, or togs, what is it about the thought of putting on a bathing suit that creates such a flood of obsessive and self-conscious thoughts and feelings? Just looking at one can cause panic to rise, and self-confidence to dip.

Or could it be that it's not about the suit at all? Perhaps your self-consciousness is the real problem?

We challenge you to do away with your self-consciousness this summer, and put on that bathing suit! You may find a lot more is helped by meeting this challenge.

Did you know you can lose weight online, and access the CalorieKing.com.au Program (13 weeks of practical information on all aspects of weight control)? Learn more

So-long self-consciousness

Self-consciousness can stop a lot of fun in its tracks, whether it's on the dance floor, at the beach, or elsewhere.

You know how it goes... when you go to put on that bathing suit, feelings of embarrassment, self-loathing, and shame all rush to the surface, leaving you longing for winter. Now maybe you don't have the perfect beach body, but we'll bet it's not that bad! While some of your self-consciousness might be based on real issues, a lot of it is likely irrational and - because you are probably your own worst critic - highly exaggerated. No one else would spot that extra crinkle of cellulite that resides 5 millimetres below and 30 degrees to the right of your left kneecap! They're far more likely to be looking enviously at the good parts of you.

Next time you feel a wave of self-consiousness coming on, whether you're in a bathing suit or not, stop and ask yourself if you're being overly critical. Then focus on the things about your appearance that you like, just as others do. (And if you've really dug deep and still think you can't find something you like - ask someone else. Other people are often better at acknowledging our good points!).