to bod or not to bod

Bikini bod.

Two of my most hated words.  Not separately, mind you.  I don’t care about them as individual words per se.  But “bikini bod”?  WHY?

It seems that every time I look at a magazine rack or even a “news blog”, there is some celebrity in a swimsuit with the words “bikini bod” plastered all over it.  Do I really care if one of the Kardashians “got their bikini bod back five weeks after giving birth”?  As if that is an incredible feat that needs to be praised? (If you want to be awed, here is a list of people who are doing some pretty amazing things.)

For most women, it’s pretty impossible to do that unless you are genetically gifted or have access to a personal trainer. 

And truly…most of us probably don’t give a rat’s ass about cramming our assets into a bikini when we’re busy focusing on night feedings and diaper changes.

If those pictures and articles are supposed to make us feel in awe, the truth is that those pics (and the icky fawning text that goes with it) makes us wonder if we measure up.

We compare (even if we say we’re not, we do) every time we see that bullshit pushed in our face. We analyze these women and then we analyze ourselves.  Is my butt too big?  Are big butts in now?  If so, is my butt too small?

I cannot even begin to imagine how those celebrities must feel.  They can’t even relax on the beach without some jerk taking a picture and then posting it with the accompanying praise – or criticism.

That would make me more neurotic than I already am.

My body has gone through many changes over the years.  I’ve given birth twice, I’ve been ultra-thin (thanks to a cigarette, Mountain Dew and stress diet…ugh), muscular (got into weight lifting), doughier, and now, I’m just a typical middle-aged woman with a few of the battle scars and pounds that come with simply getting older and living like a bon-vivant.

Although I’m carrying around ten pounds more than I’d like, at the end of the day, I have to ask myself: do I want to be on a constant diet?  Do I want to “sweat it out” just to fit in a swimsuit?  (Truth: I don’t even own one as I do not swim or spend any time in the sun.)

No.  I don’t want to worry about any of that stuff.  (I can find real things to worry about, trust me. Like obsessing over my children’s decisions.  Yeah…they looooovvvveeee that.)

I will not care about having a bikini bod – or whether or not someone else has one…or not.

Instead, I will be in my body as fully as possible. Which means: eating that extra piece of chocolate, touching and being touched, being as active as possible without killing myself in the process, making love and sleeping in, breathing in and taking it all in as much as I can.

It also means living without fear or concern about what anyone thinks about my body.  Because all that matters is what I think about it:  I have a human bod and I’m perfectly fine with that.

cheers

Just got this wine glass in the mail from a friend.  It has a thumb groove!

Other stuff:

And then…there are “dad bods”.  Really?  I’m waiting for the day when we discuss cat bods.

Loving Miley Cyrus’ Happy Hippie Foundation, a non-profit that organizes young people to support homeless youths, LGBT youth and other vulnerable populations.

Yeah this is probably what it would be like if my hipster son attempted to make me a mother’s day gift.

Now I know where to go the next time I feel a need for a giant Hanuman statue.

When everything is awful and you feel like giving up, read this.

Sexy, rugged zodiac men.  Ahem.

Tarot great Rachel Pollack needs your help in her recovery from Lymphoma.  Give generously and help support one of tarot’s living treasures.

Summer is the time for retreats!  My friends Joanna Powell Colbert and James Wells have created a special event for both men and women: EarthDreaming Retreat.  This one is almost sold out so get in before it’s full!

Through the Looking Glass Retreat – a very cool new experience offered by one of my favorite tarot babes, Barbara Moore.

This post about selfies: YES.

James Wells wrote about his experience at RS15.  (It rocked!)

Tarot lovers: do you want to attend the Reader’s Studio next year?  The Tarot School opened up the back door to let you in.  There is a generous ten-month payment plan – whatcha waiting for?  This year is going to be killer: Heatherleigh Navarre, Barbara Moore and Sasha Graham1

Oh the speculation about Jon Snow’s lineage continues!  Do we know something, Jon Snow?

I really love the Astro DIY posts over at Little Red Tarot.  If you’re new to astrology, this series is very helpful.

Little Fox Tarot calls me the “James Brown of Tarot – the hardest working woman in tarot.”  LOL I do laugh every time I think of that.

Tea bars are the new coffee shops.  I love me some tea so this is good news.

Loving Gala Darling’s manifesto: Fuck that!

Love tarot? Are you going to be in Portland in July?  Join me for a three-hour badass tarot immersion at the World Domination Summit Academies!  No tarot experience necessary – and you’re walking out with some new skills and some sweet surprises.  It’s 40% sold out so get in before those seats are gone, daddy, gone.

How to treat the homeless – tips from people who are actually homeless.

Shocking: a damning report on how manicurists are treated in New York.

Drake did an art show.  And there are photos.

From Alex Franzen: Oh yes. You can.

 

Ideas for Mother’s Day Gifts:

For the foodie: Endless Summer Cookbook by Katie Lee.

For the gardener: The Seed Garden: The Art and Practice of Seed Saving by Jared Zystro and Micaela Colley.

For the hostess with the mostest: Cupcakes and Cashmere at Home by Emily Schuman,

For the nerdy crafter: Star Wars Crochet (Crochet Kits) by Lucy Collin

For the cat lover: Catification: Designing a Happy and Stylish Home for Your Cat (and You!) by Jackson Galaxy.

For the music lover: The Magic Whip by Blur.

For the wine lover: The Big Betty XL Premium Jumbo Wine Glass – Holds a Whole Bottle of Wine!

For the gadget lover: Apple Watch.

 

What I’m Grateful For:

That extra piece of chocolate that I just ate

Fresh lined paper

A cool down after a humid day

Reading glasses

Surprises from the kids

Common sense

 

Soundtrack for 5/9/15: My Body by Young the Giant – so hip, so fun!

Enjoy your life fully this week,

Theresa

© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady  2015

images from stock photography and personal collection

Sign up for my newsletter and get free bi-monthly content on tarot, astrology, and more.

I respect your email privacy

Pin It on Pinterest