Beach Apples & Oranges

As we all head out to enjoy the first hot weekends of the summer, a word of caution to those who are black belts in the art of comparison. If you are like me, you take serious sadistic interest in comparing your own beach body to those around you. Even if you have read every "Love Yourself" book and chanted positive body image affirmations into your mirror every day, it is oh so easy to break out the metal measuring stick when clothes are at a minimum. If you choose to partake in this possibly dangerous past time, I caution you to make sure you are not comparing apples to oranges. If you, like me, are a 30 something with 2 kids and a very busy life, do not lament that the 19 year olds look fabulous in comparison. If you insist on a comparison, make sure you are comparing yourself not to the bikini clad apples, but to the other middle aged with kids oranges. It is always eye opening when I size up the other mothers busy digging in the sand and applying sunblock to their brood as apposed to the crew of teenage size 1's sunning on beach towels. The same go for you men other there! If you are a 21 year old orange who's only concern is getting rid of last night's hangover and if your right bicep is a bit larger than your left, don't get too excited that you look amazing when surrounded by 55 year old guys playing with their grand kids in the surf. Apples to Apples and Oranges to Oranges, and if you must rise above and claim that you never compare yourself to anyone else and you are totally fine with how you look and the rest of us are pathetic, don't worry, your are neither an apple nor an orange.............your a pickle