Enjoy Your "Perfect" Summer Body
The Elusive Ideal.
Right now, whenever I open TikTok and Instagram it seems like I get flooded with one phrase-“the perfect summer body.” Influencers, albeit probably well-meaning, are posting advice like, “if you start now you can lose this many pounds before summer starts," or “six ways to get a summer body,” and “steps to glow up before summer starts.”
The suggestion that there is a “perfect summer body” or even a “summer body” implies that there are bodies that don’t fit the mold. Bodies that aren’t acceptable at the beach or pool in a swimsuit this summer.
But what if we allowed our “perfect summer body” to be the body we’re already in?
A Natural Longing
Now, I’m not going to sit here and tell you that as a young woman, I don’t have desires to look a certain way. Of course I do. Most of us can probably relate to that. We want to fit in, we want to feel attractive, and that feeling is normal. But when the thoughts and feelings about how we look reach a level where we feel trepidation getting into a swimsuit, or we dread big events because we’re worried about not measuring up, that’s when the natural desire to feel our best turns into shame about the natural bodies we’re in.
I’ve experienced a few weight/body shape fluctuations over the years, so I know how it feels to look in the mirror and feel happy about the frame I see in front of me. I also know how it feels to rifle through my dresser drawers hoping to find the perfect jeans and t-shirt combination that will hide my “problem areas” well.
The deeper reality is that on this side of heaven, there’s no such thing as a “perfect” body (2 Corinthians 5:1-5). While there are models and celebrities who do appear to have perfect bodies, the painful reality is that they themselves often focus on what they wish were different about their bodies. But truly, the standards for your healthiest body, is a personal journey, perhaps between you and a health professional, but not you and social media.
God’s Good News
And ultimately, your greatest freedom in your body will come from receiving the Lord’s delight in you, far beyond particular physical measurements at any point and time.
The truly good news is that from the conception of humankind, God tells us that we are made in His image (Genesis 1:26-27). Later, in the same chapter of Genesis (verse 31), God says everything He made is “very good.” Gratefully, these verses are still very relevant today. You and I are part of that same creation mentioned in Genesis that God delights in. Often throughout my life, I’ve seen God’s delight and acceptance of me reflected in the love of my parents.
Mom’s Gracious Modeling
Several years ago, my mother came to visit me in my first post-college apartment. The lifestyle change from a flexible college schedule to the stress of working a full-time job, resulted in my gaining a few extra pounds. I was sure this physical change told others a story about how “incapable of keeping it together” I was. My clothes didn’t fit the way they used to a few months prior, and my confidence level took a hit because of this. I felt like I had to force myself into clothes that didn’t quite fit anymore, or I’d be “admitting defeat.”
During that visit, my mom could’ve chosen to reinforce my critical self-talk by telling me it was unacceptable to “let myself go.” Instead, she encouraged me to come to the mall with her and find new clothes that felt right for the season I was in. She didn’t praise me or scold me for the change- she just chose to accept me exactly as I was- in that moment. It came almost as naturally to her as breathing. When I stop to reflect on this story, it makes me think; if my mother, a well-meaning, but inherently flawed human, can show me so much grace and love, how much more abundantly does my Heavenly Father love and accept me?
A Different Approach
So, what if, this summer, you challenged yourself to look in the mirror and embrace that you are loved and delighted in by God, right now? What if you told yourself, regardless of where you are in your health journey; or what the numbers on the scale read, or how you feel about your body in a swimsuit, or the trends in the media, that you have absolute inherent value.
What would it look like to fully accept your body for where it is at this moment? Body acceptance doesn’t have to mean ignoring our physical health or signs and symptoms of illness. Body acceptance means growing in loving ourselves more than loving how we look.
Moving Towards a Healthier Approach
What does the healthiest body feel like to you? Our emotional, mental, and spiritual wellness is intrinsically linked to our physical health. In other words, it’s difficult to have one without the others. So how can we focus on caring for our bodies this summer in a way that promotes holistic health?
Maybe this year, instead of worrying about trends, your “summer body” can be one that understands the benefits of physical activity, adequate nutrition, and impactful rest.
The Benefits of Physical Activity
Physical activity is so important to our overall health, and it can impact how we show up emotionally. A 2023 study by the National Library of Medicine suggests physical activity is linked to improved mood, better sleep, mental wellness, and even positive self-concept and body image.
Movement isn’t meant to be a punishment to your body, but a celebration of what it can do. Find things that bring you joy. Do you dread going to the gym? Try walking on a trail outside, or getting involved in a local community sport. Whatever type of movement you engage in, check in with yourself regularly- does this challenge me in a positive way? How does my body feel right now? What is my mood like before and after this activity?
Why Nutrition Matters
For many of us, the options available for food can be overwhelming. We’re told we should eat “healthy,” but what does that really mean when there are so many different diet plans and suggestions out there? The well-known Julia Child is quoted as saying, “You don’t have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces, just good food from fresh ingredients.”
Everyone’s body functions differently, and we probably all need a different combination and amount of foods to fuel us. However, if we strip the principles of adequate nutrition back to the basics, it’s hard to go wrong with incorporating a variety of fruits and vegetables into your daily routine. While the recommended daily intake for fruits and vegetables vary, health professionals agree on one thing- they are both important.
Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables might even improve your mood. The International Journal of Biosocial Research did a study of 8,000 teenagers in nine juvenile correction facilities. For about one year, researchers moved teenagers from diets high in sugar and carbohydrates, to diets high in vegetables, fruits, and whole grain. In that year, violent incidents in the facilities decreased by almost 50%. Could it be that swapping in a variety of fruits and vegetables on your plate can actually start to change the way you interact with yourself and others?
Sleep Hygiene
Our brains and bodies can’t properly function without adequate sleep. Did you know that the environment you sleep in impacts the quality of your sleep? The creation of a sleep environment that feels comfortable for you is known as a concept called “sleep hygiene.”
So, how can you get hygienic sleep? Find a nighttime routine that works for you- maybe it’s winding down with a hot cup of tea an hour or so before bed, or taking a warm bath.
There are a few common elements that promote a good sleep environment. A dark room is essential-darkness promotes the production of melatonin, and the antidote to a dark room is a bright phone or television screen. Dimming the lights in your home, and reducing technology use even twenty or thirty minutes before bed can signal to your body that it’s time to wind down. Make your bedroom comfortable- prioritize fresh air circulation with plants, or even crack a window if the temperature outside allows for it. The next time you lie down check in with yourself- how does my mattress feel underneath my body? @hat does it feel like to lay my head and neck on this pillow?
And lastly, make sure your bed is a place where you truly sleep and rest. Avoid doing work, checking social media, or even having stressful conversations in your bed. When we participate in these activities in bed, it sends signals to our bodies that we should stay awake and alert. If you can’t fall asleep while in bed, try getting up and doing something else relaxing in your home until you’re ready to try again.
Acceptance of your Body this Summer
Living in a body that feels resilient and healthy to you takes commitment and time. So, this summer, no matter where you are on that journey, please give yourself grace. The next time you find yourself being critical of your body, pause. Reflect on where those messages might be coming from. Maybe somebody made a harsh comment to you at some point in your life, and you hold tight to it, believing the message is true.
Are your social media feeds full of edited and altered images that promote unrealistic standards? Try swapping these accounts for pages that share images of diverse body shapes and sizes.
If you have battled in this area and need some active support, please feel free to reach out to me through email at Natalie@finishwellgroup.com or by phone at 331.259.8739. Or, just click the link here. I would love to support you in living in greater freedom and joy with the body you have. The journey toward greater self-acceptance isn’t always easy, but when you focus on loving the body you have, you might just find that you start liking what you see in the mirror too.