Jessamyn Patterson – P90X life transformation-100lbs

I seriously never thought I’d say this but I may be getting a bikini body back? Chances of me actually wearing one in public, slim to none, but the ability to wear one? AMAZING! I just wanted to share this with you because of how drastically my life has changed. In high school and before having a child I was comfortable in my own skin I had a great body and could walk the beach area in a bikini no problem. After I had Zachary and gained almost 100 lbs, being depressed and alone as a young mom, I never put a bathing suit on again. For over 5 years I went from not only being born in San Diego, but being born in Pacific Beach, and living here, loving the water and being in it daily…to hating my body so much that I never purchased a bathing suit. I never went to the beach in anything but loose summer clothing. When I met my husband in 2005 he thought I hated the water when in reality I just deeply feared the idea of the beach. For years I turned down bbqs and get togethers there because I didn’t want to be around fit gorgeous women. Last night when talking to someone I haven’t seen in a few years he said to me: “Time and life took your tight teenage body away. But you will always have a beautiful body. Anyone can be sexy, but beauty is harder to possess.” Last year for the first time since Zachary (& now Nate) was born I purchased a bathing suit, for the first time. A solid black one piece that had a slimming feature and tucked everything in. It was something probably that would seem appropriate in the 50s. Simple, slimming as possible, maternal, and a size 14/16. I had dropped from a 20/22 and felt beautiful. I was confident yet insecure as I danced around in the dressing room, silently cursing the florescent lights. By the end of the summer 2011 I dropped to an 8/10 suit. I went from black to blue/aqua and actually ventured out. We went to the water park (2 miles from our house) and I sported my BLUE bathing suit, a big sun hat and short jean shorts! I felt good, proud of where I have been, and for once didn’t feel like I had 1000 people staring at me in disgust. We all know it doesn’t happen but when you are insecure that is how you feel. It may not be a hot pink string bikini, and I may not have my tight toned pre baby body. However I just got home from the gym, after night 2 of p90x, I am stronger, faster, and fitter than I have been in a very long time. My body is healthy, I am happy & for the first time since 2005 I am excited and anxious to approach summer. I am proud to have a wide selection of beautiful COLORED bathing suits to choose from that are not black and maternal and to know that stretch marks are easily paired with tanning booths and that nothing can stop me now! What it is truly about is putting my past behind me and creating a newer, better, stronger version of me filled with all my life experiences that have shaped me into who I have become, and creating a NEW me! Jessamyn Patterson

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