Flickr photo by Qole Pejorian

So last week I went shopping for a new bathing suit and it was the usual hideous experience. I completely bypassed the racks and racks of bikinis without a backward glance — my bare midriff is not something I want to inflict on an unsuspecting public.

Moving on to the one-pieces, I found suits that addressed various “problem” areas. One had material gathered at the waist to disguise a less-than-flat belly. Another was cut higher up on the thigh to elongate the look of the leg. Necklines were scooped, V-necked, or halter-style to enlarge or reduce the bust. Backs dipped low or rose higher up to cover any back fat. Hmmm … was there a single suit that combined all these flaw fixers? I found myself desperately hoping Victorian bloomers would come back in style.

After stretching down and pulling up the sausage-casing-like contenders in the dressing room, I did finally find the perfect suit—not too revealing and not too matronly. You see, I have a no-fail selection system worked out after all these years: After trying on 100 or so swimsuits, the one that doesn’t make me cry when I look in the mirror is the one I buy!

OK, so it wasn’t all that bad. But seriously, shopping for a bathing suit can be disheartening for a lot of us. It’s probably also a springboard into trying the latest fad diet to lose a quick 10 pounds. Not a good idea. Instead, we should let the whole sorry experience motivate us to adopt a healthier lifestyle all year long — not just the week before we try on suits. And who knows? If I stick to my gym workouts, maybe there’s an “itsy bitsy, teenie weenie, yellow polka dot bikini” in my future.

Nah.

Does the thought of shopping for a new bathing suit give you the heebie-jeebies? Any suggestions for making it a stress-free expedition?

Mitzi