Maybe you had a few too many drinks last night. Or your period is making you bloat. Or you overdid it on potato chips. For some reason you’re feeling a little extra self-conscious and don’t know if you can rock your new teeny bikini at an upcoming pool party. Sure you could hide behind an inflatable pool toy all day, but come on. You know ECG has you covered with some even better options. Try some of these suggestions to get over your body issues.

Avoid salt and sugar:

Salt and sugar can make you retain water and cause your stomach to bloat, making you uncomfortable or just making your stomach expand and look bigger than you’d like. So at the next pool party skip the potato chips and stick with some fruit or just sip water. Also skip the artificial sugar. You may think you’re doing yourself a favor by opting for the diet soda, but the diet drinks often have even more sodium than regular. So a few days before the pool party avoid diet drinks to keep your stomach at a normal non bloated state.

Get rid of bloating:

Sure you already know what foods make you bloat, but if the damage is already done what can you do? Try taking some medicine that relieves gas. Those medicines are also known for reducing bloating and can be your secret weapon. Don’t have any gas medicine on hand? You can also take midol or drink coffee to help take down the bloating. Don’t forget to keep drinking water which will also help you out.

Work out right before:

Some days I actually go the gym for a workout class and go straight to the beach afterwards. It’s a great system for me because I feel amazing after my workout, so I’m in a great mood. Plus my body looks its best since I was just pushing it to the extreme. If you don’t have time to go to workout out right before putting on your swimsuit, then try this quick workout right before pool time: Do 10 leg lifts, 20 pushups, 20 lunges, 25 crunches. Your body with feel just a little tighter since you worked a few key muscles.

Try a cover up:

Wear a cute sundress or tank top and shorts combo to keep covered. But don’t let it keep you from enjoying the water. Just wear it as long as possible and take it off just before you’re going in the water. And grab a towel right when you get out of the pool.

Have a cute backup one piece or tankini:

Just in case none of these ideas seem appealing to you, have a back up swimsuit.  Make it something cute. Don’t make it an old one piece that you’ve had so long that it’s loose and no longer flattering. Actually buy something that you’d enjoy wearing. There’s nothing worse that feeling self conscious and then wearing a swimsuit that you don’t even enjoy. So do yourself a favor and buy a cute flattering swimsuit that can keep you covered up.

Remember mind over matter:

Stop thinking about your body and start focusing on how cute your bikini is or how much fun you and your friends will have. Know that the only thing getting in the way of you having fun at the beach is YOU. No one is spending all day judging your appearance. Not your friends. Not other sun seekers. They’re just out to have some fun, just like you should be!

What Do You Think?

What do you do on days you’re feeling a little body conscious? Leave us a comment and let us know!

2 Comments

  1. avatar Reese Evans says:

    Thank you very much for this article. It is really great & helpful. At Beach self-conscious is really feeling happy. Great article.

  2. avatar A.S says:

    Thank you for this. I have a lot of scars that have kept me from wearing a swim suit for a few years but I am thinking about trying to wear one again. I miss swimming!

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