Bikini Confidence: HEAB
Heather Eats Almond Butter But Doesn’t Wear Bikinis
I’m very excited to introduce the first blogger in the Bikini Confidence Guest Blogger Series: Heather from Heather Eats Almond Butter.
You all know this beautiful woman for her healthy weight loss journey and her love of the good stuff: almond butter. Heather lives in Nashville where she works as a massage therapist, blogs about her healthy lifestyle, and is expecting her first baby with her husband, known to her readers as CD.
Heather here from Heather Eats Almond Butter, or HEAB for short. Many thanks to Samantha for inviting to be a part of her Bikini Confidence Guest Post Series. Thanks Samantha – it’s an honor.
So, thing is I don’t actually have much bikini confidence. When I was in my early twenties (about 10 years ago), I lost 100+ pounds through diet and exercise. I had been overweight my whole life, and although I never set out to lose that much weight, I did it.
All of a sudden, I was thin. I could walk into the GAP and buy jeans, and I could go hiking with my friends without worrying about whether or not I would be able to keep up with them. Exercise became something I actually enjoyed rather than a chore to dread. I started running, and I had so much energy. Eventually, I got into yoga, and my practice helped to strengthen my entire body. I couldn’t believe how toned my arms looked, and I was amazed by some of the poses my body was able to do. Yes, I completely transformed my body, but I still feel really uncomfortable in a bathing suit. In fact, I can’t tell you the last time I wore one. You see, there are still remains of my overweight self that haunt me. I have horrible stretch marks everywhere, and loose skin hanging from my stomach and thighs. You would never know as I’m able to hide it fairly well, but bathing suits and short shorts are two things I do not wear.
However, my life is about to change dramatically. I’m pregnant, and my husband and I are expecting our first baby this November, referred to fondly as the HEABlet.
It’s pretty easy for me to avoid bathing suit events these days, but I know the HEABlet will want to go to the pool, and I can’t wait to take her to the beach someday. I can’t avoid a bathing suit forever. Our little baby girl has already taught me so much about my body. I’ve really loosened up around all my food rules, and I’m taking it easy when it comes to exercise. For once, I’m actually listening to my body, giving into many of my cravings, and resting when I need it. The weight gain aspect has been a little scary, but it’s so worth it when I feel those little back kicks inside my belly.
I’m really not quite sure what the future holds for me as far as bathing suits go, but I know I don’t want my little girl growing up feeling at all ashamed about any part of her body…So, I think it’s time for me to do some bathing suit shopping, don’t you?
I’ve said it before, and I’m going to say it again because I think it’s something that I need to hear: Eat well, stay active, but most importantly, love every aspect about yourself, including all that your mind, body, and spirit has to offer.
If you’re interested in writing a post for the Bikini Confidence guest blogger series, send me an e-mail at samanthaamenzies@gmail.com
July 20th, 2010 at 9:34 am
i love your honesty heather! bathing suits are never fun on my end either, but I prefer to lay outside and soak in some sun that hide my body. power to: “Eat well, stay active, but most importantly, love every aspect about yourself”
July 20th, 2010 at 9:43 am
I agree! Love you body. It’s strong and so much more than some bits of stretch marks and saggy some (I know this well – I have 4 kids!)
I congratulate you on your pregnancy. This is such a special time! Enjoy every minute of it.
July 20th, 2010 at 10:09 am
Enjoy yourself, live for today!
July 20th, 2010 at 11:27 am
this is such a great post! i love the topic and think we can all learn from heab’s self acceptance!
July 20th, 2010 at 11:48 am
[...] you get a chance, please check out my guest post over at Bikini Birthday. It was not an easy post for me to write, and I’m sure many of you [...]
July 20th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
Samantha, thanks for allowing me to share my story.
July 20th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
great post girl
i think EVERY girl has bikini/bathing suit drama and we shouldn’t be afraid to get out there and show what our mama’s gave us right! 
July 20th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
Heather, I LOVE this post! You are beautiful and deserve to love your body! I say you get a maternity bathing suit this summer and wear it proud! Your daughter is going to be beautiful, just like you. And you’re both going to look amazing in bikinis!
July 20th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
LOVE LOVE LOVE this post, Heather! There are soooo many cute maternity tankinis and bikinis out there–you could rock them all!! Go for it!
July 20th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
HEAB!! Love you so much my friend!!
You know, being pregnant is the BEST time for wearing a swimsuit! I’ve switched from a bikini to a tankini and it is awesome coverage and still cute! And everyone’s so focused on your adorable bump that they don’t notice anything else! 
July 20th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
Always love hearing your story Heather!
And Samantha – thanks for putting together an awesome series. Body confidence is so important.
July 20th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
Heather I admire your honesty! And I know the Heablet will love to have a mommy take her swimming! I think when you become a parent (I’m not, so I’m guessing here!) you learn to really put your feelings and fears aside and put your child’s feelings and interests first. I know you’ll make a great mom!
July 20th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
Heather,
Thank you so much for such an inspiring post. As someone who has gone through her own weight loss ups and downs I feel so much better listening to your encouragement and strength
July 20th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Thank you for sharing this, Heather. While it’s important to strive to love every part of your body, the reality of the matter is that we all have our little “quirks” and issues with our bodies. It’s refreshing to hear someone talk about theirs honestly! That being said, you look great and I know the HEABlet will love going swimming with her mommy!
July 20th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
even tho YOU would look AMAZING in a bikini i totally understand how uncomfortable you would feel. anyone who has gained and then lost a bunch of weight can attest to this… and i can only imagine how weird it would be to wear a bikini when most of your life was spent thinking “i could never wear one, just not going to happen!” .. so no matter how much you lose, that thought kind of stays there. It may be interesting to see how that changes once the little one is born! Great post- we all love you Heather <3
July 20th, 2010 at 5:02 pm
You go girl. You know I can relate—and for what its worth – you are just as gorgeous now as pre-prego. Your little girl is a lucky girl. xoxoxo
July 20th, 2010 at 5:52 pm
I LOVE her site
such an awesome story!!!
July 20th, 2010 at 7:26 pm
Great post HEAB! And thanks for linking to this blog
I can relate to a lot of this. It’s really nice to hear. You’re beautiful, btw
July 20th, 2010 at 9:34 pm
Thank you so much for this post Heather! It was like listening to myself talk! I also have lost 85lbs and I’m now at my very thinnest, but bathing suits terrify me! Even though no one else notices the stretch marks and loose skin, it’s still the first thing I see. It’s reading things like this that help make me more confident with my body everyday, and know I’m not alone!
You are beautiful and your blog inspires me everyday!
July 21st, 2010 at 7:46 am
I just read a wonderful article about some current body image campaigns that help people (both men and women suffer from eating disorders) build confidence in their bodies:
http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/most-popular/general/body-image-part-2.html
Glad to hear you are choosing love, Heather!
July 21st, 2010 at 8:48 am
thank you for sharing your story!
July 21st, 2010 at 10:58 am
What a story! Congrats to your and your hubby!!
July 21st, 2010 at 2:26 pm
HEAB thank you for sharing your story!
July 23rd, 2010 at 10:49 am
Wow, really loving this blog at the moment, I did a search and found it, so glad! I have just started with Yoga, and I love what I’m reading here! How close is pilates to yoga though, just wondering?
July 23rd, 2010 at 10:58 am
@Kirsten
Thanks so much for your comment!
I don’t do much pilates. I’ve done it a few times before but I find it quite boring, to be honest, and I spend much of the hour with my brain pulling myself in all different directions. What I love about yoga is the emphasis on balancing the mind while conditioning the body. I find it really relaxing and meditative and find myself feeling happier, lighter, and less tight when I leave the class.
I hope you’re liking your yoga classes. I am a real advocate for yoga among people I know. I try to convince everybody to do it with me!
July 25th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Cool website, thanks for sharing the info!!
July 30th, 2010 at 12:18 am
Very good post.