Empowering Tips To Feel Good In Your Summer Clothes

Permanent Weight Loss: Dr. Barbara L Katz

Happy July! This is a time of summer parties, vacations, and spending time at the beach and pool.

Wear Comfortable Summer Clothing:

Are you comfortable wearing summer clothing (such as bathing suits or shorts) in public? Do you swim when you’re with other people or do you stay covered because you’re ashamed of how your body looks?

If you’ve been hiding parts of your body and missing out on activities because you’re not comfortable going out in public in a bathing suit, shorts, or a sleeveless top, I’d like to challenge you to wear an item of clothing that makes you uncomfortable.

First, wear it around the house. Once you’re comfortable wearing it in the house, wear it when you’re with other people. You may want to first wear that clothing around strangers. This may help you feel good in your summer clothes.

“Once you’re comfortable wearing it in the house, wear it when you’re with other people.”

Once you are comfortable wearing a bathing suit, shorts, or sleeveless top around strangers, then challenge yourself to wear it around friends and family.

Feel Good About Yourself:

How long does it take you to become comfortable wearing a bathing suit, sleeveless top, or shorts in public? I’d like you to feel good about your body – no matter your size.

When you feel good about yourself, people around you notice your self-confidence and want to interact with you – no matter what you weigh! And if some people make comments about how you look or what you weigh, why do you care? 

Find ways to appreciate your body every day. If your legs support you so you can take walks and enjoy the outdoors, appreciate your strong legs.  Be grateful if your arms allow you to pick up your grandchildren, pets, or groceries.

Even if you only have the strength to get out of bed each morning, be thankful for that! Move your body as you’re able and don’t avoid doing activities you might enjoy because of worries about how you look or what others may think or say. The only person that matters is you.

Eating Nutritious Foods:

We all have different ideas about how to treat ourselves well. I take care of myself by eating nutritious foods that give me energy in amounts that satisfy me but don’t make me feel uncomfortable. I limit foods that make me feel sluggish or unwell.

I also care for myself by moving my body every day so I (hopefully) remain active into my 90s or later. Think about how you can treat yourself well to remain healthy as long as possible.

“Summer activities often come with many food temptations.”

You may choose to eat foods that taste good, while also making you feel good. You may protect your skin with sunscreen, get enough sleep to keep your mind clear, and exercise to stay agile.

Summer Activities:

Summer activities often come with many food temptations. If you’re invited to a party, even if you don’t know what foods will be served, you can still decide ahead of time how much alcohol you’re going to drink, whether or not you’re going to eat snack foods (like chips or pretzels – and if so, how much), and how you’re going to handle multiple desserts.

Treating yourself well also means not eating foods you don’t enjoy. I recommend eating only foods that taste delicious – if you’re not yet feeling full. Eat slowly and pace your eating so you are aware of how full you are and stop eating before you become uncomfortable.

Alcohol is a frequent temptation at get-togethers and parties. If you plan to drink alcohol, decide ahead of time how much you want to drink and try to drink a glass of water or seltzer between each alcoholic beverage. Remember, drinking alcohol may make it harder to make good food choices.

Eat Slowly And Mindfully:

It’s easy to get so involved thinking about the food at a party that you stop paying attention to what – or how much – you eat. If possible, do an activity in addition to eating, such as swimming, walking, dancing, playing volleyball, or helping to serve.

Try not to linger near the food so you’re less likely to “automatically” reach for food without consciously deciding to eat it.

If you’re going away on vacation and you don’t know what foods will be available, you can still eat slowly and mindfully, eat when you’re hungry, and stop eating before you’re uncomfortable.

If you’re planning a long car trip, bring something to do in the car so you’re not tempted to eat out of boredom, and carry some food in a cooler that you enjoy eating so you never have to eat unplanned “junk” food.

Feel Good In Your Summer Clothes:

When you plan ahead of time, eat mostly when you’re hungry, stop eating before you’re uncomfortable, and try to take good care of your body, you’re more likely to make choices for your health. James Joyce wrote in “Ulysses,” “Mistakes are the portals of discovery.”

You learn what works for you by trying new things and then evaluating the results. Don’t be afraid to try; if what you try doesn’t work, think about what you learned and plan to do something differently next time. 

Have fun this summer and plan to end it feeling good about your summer clothes and yourself. Use each party, vacation, and get-together as an opportunity to experiment so you can learn how best to support yourself no matter what the circumstances.  

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