I was at a Barbeque over 4th of July weekend at a friend’s house.  She has a pool in her backyard so we were all splashing around and having fun.  My friend, Stef, came to the pool in a bikini.  Stef is a plus size girl, like I am.  She tore off her towel and told everyone, “This is my house, I will dress how I want to.”  I remember looking at her all day not caring what everyone thought and thinking how envious I was of her self confidence to dress how she wanted.

Stef floating around not caring what anyone thinks about what she is wearing.
Stef floating around not caring what anyone thinks about what she is wearing.
I love this pic.  That's me in the front and Stef showing off her gorgeous body
I love this pic. That’s me in the front and Stef showing off her gorgeous body

What do people think of a plus size girl in a bikini?  Why is it that a skinny girl can walk around wearing next to nothing but a plus girl has to cover up?  Plus size men walk around with their shirts off, hairy and everything and that seems normal.  Is it society? Is it a self esteem thing?

The week after the barbeque, I saw an add on the internet for a plus size bikini.  It was only $14 so how could I go wrong.

Cute, Right?
Cute, Right?

I finally got up the nerve and wore it this weekend in my friend’s pool.  I felt very exposed since my stomach has not seen the light of day since high school.  There are no pictures of this adventure of mine, but I did it.  You know what, who cares if I have more stomach to show.  I am healthy and I love me.  It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks.  Ladies we need to feel confident whether we are tall, short, skinny, fat, muscular, or any mix of these.  We need to stop these social stigmas. We are all beautiful and need to feel comfortable in our own skin.  Maybe soon I will be comfortable enough to take pix in this bathing suit……baby steps.  But I love my not so teeny weeny bikini.

http://www.youravon.com/donnaettinger