Swimsuit anxiety: Why can't we feel comfortable in our own skin?

Yesterday as I was driving into town I passed a house situated on a corner lot. A mother was outside in a hot pink, one-piece bathing suit running through a sprinkler with her kids. She was far from a swimsuit model and had plenty of imperfections, but my first thought was, "Good for her!" I'm quite self-conscious so I know I wouldn't have had the guts to do what she did, but I think it was wonderful that she didn't care if others saw her. It was a hot day and she was outside having fun with her kids. Again ... good for her. According to a recent survey sponsored by Lands' End and Fitness Magazine, my self-consciousness is more the norm ... and that woman's fantastic, devil-may-care attitude is a rarity.

50% of women report turning down an invitation because the event required them to wear a swimsuit. (I don't know if I've ever said no to an event, but I have played the old "Oh darn, I forgot my suit" game before.) 45% of women stated they won't walk around the beach or pool without covering up first. 18% would rather walk on hot coals or go to the dentist than put on a swimsuit. 83% state that they have felt judged in their suits and 59% fess up to judging others. 52% of women look for suits to enhance or slim down areas of their body.

I had to chuckle while reading these survey results, because it was basically like reading my own opinions about swimsuit anxiety. (Though I'll wear a swimsuit any day rather than walk on hot coals, thank you very much.) I do wonder why we can't just be comfortable in our own skin, though. Eating well, exercising, and taking care of your health is important; we all want to live long, energetic lives. But does happiness come in a size 2? I don't think so. We are who we are, and it's high time we stop looking for perfection and just accept ourselves ... lumps, bumps, and all. So the next time my son wants to run through the sprinkler maybe I'll join him, forget about who may see me, and just enjoy the moment.