This weeks Aussie Curves theme is swimwear. Out of all the themes this is the theme that I feel most prepared for.  There are well over 100 photos of me published on the www in the last 18 months both from photoshoots and from my own personal adventures.

I LOVE being near water. Water is associated with relaxation for me, whether its camping, romantic trips away or even walking the dog on the beach.

Years ago I lived in the burbs, near an industrial area a good hours drive from the beach.  I hated it.  Extensive travel with work, regular trips to Torquay and to the peninsula kept me sane but as a part of my new life transformation one of the major requirements was that I HAD to live either on the beach or very close by.  The result being ~ I moved to the Great Barrier Reef in northern Queensland.

Winter or summer, swimming or walking on it,  I love the beach!

People always ask me “Where do you get your confidence from?”

You know what…it has taken alot of hard work to get to this point.  To get to the point where I don’t care what others think and to love who I am in my own body.  I’ve been bigger and I’ve been smaller.

Yeah there are days where I feel blurgh {I am human after all} but I’ve made the choice to be happy in my skin. I’ve made the choice not to hide myself under baggy t shirts and to enjoy the water.

We are at the time of year where magazines and health centres cash in on the ‘beach body’ term.  Putting the message out there that you can’t be seen on the beach until you have the so perfect beach body.  Well you know what, put your bathers on and go to the damn beach and you enjoy that beach body.

Here’s some images from the Danimezza Swim+ magazine featuring true plus size women, you know the ones that have lumps and bumps? Yup well that me, and just like clothing there are certain styles that work for our bodies and are more flattering. So check it out and see if there are any that appeal to you. (these are screen grabs from the mag)

This is the second year I’ve had the honour in being Dani’s model for the lookbook.  I can tell you that even though I had 110% trust that the images would look great, it is still SO nerve wrecking knowing that a WHOLE magazine featuring me in swimwear was going out to the world to see, comment and judge.  And folks I only get to see it when you get to see it so once it’s out there, there’s no looking back.

After the first magazine came out in 2012, all 64 pages, guess what. The world didn’t end.  The feedback was positively overwhelming.  Women from all over the world commented how it inspired them and all of a sudden all of my initial reservations dissipated.

Click here to see the newly released 2013 Plus Size Swim+ Resort Lookbook & the 2012 Plus Size Swim+ Resort Lookbook

One of my favourite swimsuits was this Sara swimsuit which can be purchased from Ezibuy  (it’s on sale at the moment too)
I have a big bust and this is such a good fit that it doesn’t need an underwire. I’m a G cup and felt super comfortable and supported.

Over the weekend I visited our local beach with my bestie Kirsty who was visiting me and she snapped a couple shots for me.

So….I may have made her rock climb to take these shots…and I honestly haven’t laughed so hard in such a long time.

Half way through she tells me that she is terrified of heights and I snapped her holding onto a rock for dear life.  At first I thought she was stretching. Ha nope…look closely

Get out there, with your swimwear on and have fun.  Don’t miss out on those special moments and memories you may create with a friend or loved one.

Well done to all of those AussieCurves gals who have been brave enough to post a photo of themselves in swimwear and an extra super dooper pat on the back to those who were comfortable enough to post a full length {and not to mention unedited} photo without any of the coverups or cut off angles.

You all look gorgeous!