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Jun
29 2009 |
Malibu Misty
Last weekend I went to Malibu beach with my dear friend Ross who was visiting from Texas. Ross is 6’7” so standing next to him in my 5’8” bare feet makes me feel petite! I decided to wear my new black bikini and polka dot sarong and carry my Hips and Curves tote bag for our day at the beach. We arrived, spotted a nice secluded place and set up our blankets and umbrellas. It was perfect nap weather so we stripped down to our swimsuits and sunscreen, laid hand in hand, and soaked up a little sun while the breeze blew and the waves crashed. There is something very special about being with good friends and sharing quiet time.
My little moment of heaven was interrupted, however, by a group of young people who decided to set up camp next to us. My first reaction was being annoyed for losing our peace and quiet, but that was quickly replaced by a brief, panicky moment of self awareness that I was laying in a bikini, all 250lbs of me, without a sarong or anything.
‘”Please lord, don’t let these kids make any fat jokes about me in front of my best friend.”
I flashed back to 5 years ago when I was kissing a cute guy outside a club and some idiot shouted, “Damn, that is one big woman!” I could have curled up and died of embarrassment.
With that memory buzzing in my mind, I just tried to focus on how nice it felt to be at the beach and how I had every right to be there in my bikini as much as anyone else. I blocked out all the conversation, all the noise and just connected with nature.
I am usually confident in my appearance so these things rarely cross my mind, but there is something about being in a bikini that can tear down the self assurance of any respectable gorgeous woman. I had to do a little extra work on my self esteem muscle this time to remind myself that me and my luscious curves deserve to enjoy a day at the beach, even in LA!
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I was bemoaning the lack of really pretty bras in a size 40k(!) on my blog yesterday and I found yours by googling ‘hipsandcurves’ as recommended by one of my commenters.
You should have no worries about self esteem because you’re GORGEOUS! I admire your ability to wear a bikini.
) I’m 6 foot tall and 286lbs (at the moment) and even when I used to weigh 175lbs there’s no way I would have had the confidence to don a bikini in the privacy of my bedroom, let alone in public… 
Enjoyed this story. Here’s mine: Fact of the matter is at my stage in life: late 40s, 5′7″ and over 235 lbs, no one is going to ever mistake me for Halle Berry! However, it was vacationing in Malibu, CA that taught me how to love and accept myself regardless of my size. I’ve traveled twice to Malibu … in ‘07 and ‘08. On both trips, I was just amazed at how nice everyone was and especially how FLIRTY the men there were to me. Despite whatever hype you see in the fashion and gossip magazine re: that place…I discovered that one does not have to be tall, blonde and thin to get the positive attention of the men in Malibu. I discovered that those guys just like WOMEN…of all sizes and shapes and ages and races…and they show their appreciation for us ladies in such a charming way, too! It was so very good for my self-confidence. Now I try to keep that “Malibu” mindset even when I’m at home in the Pacific Northwest
I will say it is a bold risk for a woman of size to put on a bikini, but if your figrue has it, then it has it and you should feel proud of yourself, in this day and age especially, to be able to show that you can feel comfortable…unlike myself.
I do not feel comfortable as a “big” man. I am neither tall nor am I short, but I am out of shape and always have been and never have done anything to change it. Still I am a good looking guy otherwise and you’re a good looking woman. so I’d be proud of you or should I say am proud that you bared it. Take care
Wow, what does it take for women (and men for that matter) to get past these physical hangups that plague society? Misty, you just have to throw caution, and those opinions of others, to the wind and let you be you! Photo looks great and you tell a great story–could not imagine more to improve who you are…