by Anna Aquino

Created on: April 21, 2009

It's that time of the year again. Excuse me while I cue the sound of the Jaws theme song. It's bathing suit season! AHHHH! The kids are bugging you to drive to the beach. They remind you every weekend, "Can we go? Can we go?" You're smiling on the outside but inside your dreading that fateful trip. The sun is shining and all you can think about is I don't want people to mistake me for being the Shamu whale at SeaWorld. Don't worry. You're not alone. Shopping for a bathing suit can be you're worst night mare but only if you let it. Have fun with it. Bring a friend who you trust, who can give you their opinion.

First of all, be realistic. Don't try on a bathing suit that is three sizes two small because you wish you were that size. That will just bum you out more. Realize and accept you are who you are.

Secondly grab as many suits as you think might look good on you and try them all on. You don't get charged for trying suits on. Sometimes it's the one that you weren't sure about on the rack that looks the best on you.

Decide what areas you want to cover. My biggest issue personally is my belly. So what do I do when I shop for suits. I finds suits that aren't going to draw the eye to the middle, but try the eyes to my chest. It makes me look slimmer in the middle. The same scenario applies to all of us. Figure out what you want to accent, and what you'd rather hide.

Remember nothing is wrong with wearing a fashionable cover-up. My grandmother used to swear by them, and I confess I never wore them. But now I realize that some are tasteful, and if you're worried about parading down the beach semi nude for everyone to see a cover up is a good solution. There is nothing wrong with covering up areas that the world doesn't need to see. 100 years ago women were bloomers and long skirts to go swimming. Now I'm not suggesting that, but I am saying that the world doesn't need to see every ounce of flesh you have on display.

Confidence, remember what that is? Use it. Confidence is your greatest asset on a beach. If you're trying to hide then people see it. Life your head up high and pretend like you own that beach. The world is your oyster!

Finally remember this is not about your body or you. This is about you going out to the beach and having fun. Have enough confidence in yourself that you look good and if no one else thinks so then that's there problem. Life is not about pleasing perfect strangers, but about accepting and loving yourself.

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