As a television news anchor, I often exude confidence. We have to in order to handle the backlash we often receive. Over the years, I’ve heard it all. I’m used to being ridiculed for how I look or the sound of my voice. I am even chastised by some viewers when I make an honest mistake. It’s comes with the territory. I even wrote an article about being comfortable in my own skin. And while I am genuinely happy with my physical appearance, there is one thing you won’t ever see me wearing – a bathing suit! For decades, I hid under bathing suit cover ups and shorts and avoided being seen in public in only a swimsuit. All of that changed one summer, thanks to a group of girlfriends. All it took was one weekend getaway when my skinny friends taught me an important lesson in self-confidence.
I admit it. I lack self-confidence when it comes to baring it all. On television, I can wear a flattering dress to hide what I call my “child bearing hips”. I know how to accentuate my smaller waist so viewers don’t notice my thicker thighs. I love how I look with clothes on, but my confidence takes a nose dive when it comes to taking a dip in the pool. When our daughter was one, we enrolled her in baby swim lessons. I wasn’t about to put on a swimsuit in front of a group of people, so I made my husband be the parent in the pool as I sat on the sideline taking pictures.
With my lack of bathing suit confidence, it’s no surprise that I spent time plotting how I could hide my thighs while also concealing my self doubt. As I packed for our weekend getaway, I thought of the ladies. We’re a group of friends who met more than 5 years ago, when we were all pregnant with triplets in 2013. Each of them are gorgeous and thin. I was the largest of the group and my curvy features were about to be on full display.
After arriving in Florida, it wasn’t more than an hour before we were changing into swimsuits, ready to hit the pool and beach. I cringed as I put on a modest one-piece and covered myself with a dress. We walked onto the beach and I couldn’t hide anymore. As I took off my dress, I shouted, “Don’t look at my thighs!” To my surprise, not one of my friends even flinched or gasped at the sight of me. Instead, one laughed as she jokingly said, “Oh, stop it Stacey!” It was the wake up call I needed. I realized at that moment, I was being ridiculous.
We all have insecurities and things we would love to change about ourselves. Maybe it’s your nose or a pair of scrawny arms, or maybe it’s something not visible like a fear of public speaking. In my case, my insecurity is my thighs. It doesn’t matter how often I work out or how much I diet, I will always have my hereditary dents and dimples. As we spent the weekend gossiping and catching up, I heard plenty of little insecurities shared among my beautiful friends. This weekend was more than just a get together, it was a confidence booster that I was in dire need of. My friends made me realize that no one is perfect; we all have our faults. I need to embrace my body and be comfortable in my own skin. I don’t want to go through life holding back and missing out on the important moments, all because of a little insecurity.
By the end of the weekend, my self-acceptance soared to new heights. Not only was I sporting a two piece swimsuit, I was frolicking on the beach with my friends, not a care in the world. I was no longer worried about what beach goers might think of me. I wasn’t hunched over strategically trying to hide my legs. Instead, I stood tall and proud; a pillar of strength in my 5’3″ body. Life is too short to care what others might think of me. And thanks to these girls, who have become some of my best friends, I’m now living life to the fullest…all while confidently rocking my bikini.
What a great reminder about body-insecirites. We all have them and most people even notice ours! Keep up the great work.
What a great confidence-boosting weekend 🙂 You’re definitely not the only one who has insecurities, so thank you for sharing what helped you conquer it!
Love this. It is hard to find that confidence in your body after babies! And just this week, I told myself to stop and put on that two piece. Our bodies did something awesome – go for it!
Go girl! This is an awesome post. You’re so right about not letting insecurities hold you back and keep you from experiencing things that you would otherwise miss.
Love you Stacey! You are beautiful!
Love this! It can be so hard to find confidence some days. Thanks for sharing yours. 🙂
You go girl! And life is indeed way too short to to listen too much to others… Cant imagine what you must all hear being on TV….
Thank you for this. We do all have insecurities and it’s nice to hear people tell you to stop it because it is all in our heads. How others see us isn’t how we see ourselves and visa versa. I wish it were <3.
This is great. I’ll try to take it to heart. Body confidence is so important and yet so hard. I appreciate your honesty.
They are sooo right! For many years now I have not wore shorts out in public cause I have been heavy all my life. 200+ I bought a small pool so I could get in a pool and no one see this fat body in swimsuit! This year I came to conclusion that no matter how fat or thin you are someone will make a remark. I now wear my shorts to grocery store . I do not care what they think. I know there are worse than me . I try to dress neat but when hot the shorts come out. You are a very pretty woman. You do not need to be ashamed of anything! We are what we are and that is end of story. God made us this way so enjoy life!!!!
Praise the Lord and you are so right we spend to much time worried about what others think we all have a thing we don’t like about are bodies but it is the one God gave us so enjoy and don’t worry about others by the way you look fine
Your body gets you up & moving every day. Please don’t let body image insecurities cause you to miss special times with your daughter, & you don’t want to pass on those insecurities to her. I am a new grandma, & am already imagining taking her to the beach- she’ll love it, no matter how wrinkly/dimply I am.