I freaking love summer. I wait all year to finally turn my heater off, feel the sun on my skin, be a little more wild and move a little slower.

Then…I am bombarded with all the messaging. You know what I am talking about..

“Time to get in shape, it’s summer!” “Working on that summer body!” “Feeling bikini body ready!” “Can’t wait! Have 400 trips planned which means I will be having waaaaay more fun than you!”

LAME. Lame. Lame. 

Having been through 33 summers myself, a few of which I have fussed and fought and tortured myself into having the desirable body that society tells us is acceptable, I’ve had plenty of practice learning how to move through the summer season with grace not guilt, acceptance not resistance, love not hate.

Here are a few of my secrets to surviving the summer body bullshit:

1. If you have a body, which I am pretty sure you do, you’re in luck! You get to wear whatever the fuck you want!!

Wear what you feel comfortable in, not what is trendy or ‘acceptable for your size.’ Have a cute bathing suit you’ve been dying to wear but aren’t sure how people will look at you? FUCK. THAT. Where the damn bathing suit.

2. Unfollow the people on social media who make you feel insecure or not good enough.

It’s nothing personal, but I’ve done this on many occasions. I started realizing that every time I saw certain woman’s accounts, I started feeling really crappy about my body, my life and where I was. Unfollowing them has been one of the biggest gifts I’ve given myself. It’s not mean, it’s self care.

3. Avoid body shame talk like the Plague – especially around the pool, beach, while on vacation or any other vulnerable place.

Don’t ruin your good time by talking about how fat you feel or how much weight you still need to lose or how bloated you are. Have an open convo with your girlfriends letting them know this is something you are working on, and encourage each other to be sensitive, welcoming and loving with how you talk to yourself and others.

4. Be a positive example and leader.

I can almost guarantee you that there are women out there who are dying to feel comfortable in their imperfect body. Be that leader for them. By being the authentic and imperfect you, you give others permission to do the same. Welcome your humanity!!

5. Start feeling confident, beautiful and sexy NOW.

Let’s get one thing straight: sexy is a mindset.

Have you ever seen someone a little unconventional, a little rough around the edges, not your ‘traditional beauty’ and thought, ‘hmmm there is something really fucking sexy about that guy/gal’? Well let me tell you – it’s the way they carry themselves. It has little to do with what they look like and more about the way they FEEL about themselves. So start practicing feeling sexy NOW.

Are you tired of struggling with the bikini body bullshit? There’s one way you could do this – TOGETHER. Snag one of my three summer session spots for Nourish Your Soul: Creating Food Freedom, Body Acceptance + Self Love.