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     I've come to a conclusion: It is impossible to feel ugly in Rio. Between the warm sun, the refreshing ocean air, and the confident yet playful attitudes embodied in the Cariocas, a woman can relish the joys of beach life without the self-consciousness that might plague her in the States.

   Think about it.  According to Fox News, In a poll conducted by ABC News in December, 2008, 45% of all Americans “vow[ed] to lose weight as the new year approaches.” Our culture obsesses about weight – shows like “The Biggest Loser,” quick-fix diets, cellulite reducing gels and the list goes on and on  - have become part of our national subconscious. Is it any wonder, then, that as the Summer rolls around in June, women across the nation begin to stress out? There is so much pressure to look perfect, (whatever that is), in our swimsuits.
    My day-trip to the world famous beach of Ipanema was eye-opening, and, er, revealing, to say the least. But most of all, it was completely liberating.
    Here's a few things that I learned while working on my tan:

1. Enjoy the moment
     Yes, there were plenty of women sunbathing, but due to drying-off from playing and swimming in the ocean, than as a purpose unto itself. The women of Rio go to the beach to have fun. And when you're having fun – laughing, smiling, etc. . . - you naturally become more attractive. The praias, or beaches in Portuguese, are places to relax and have a good time; they are not places to worry and wonder what others might be thinking about. Carioca women know this, and make the most of their time in the wind, surf, and sun.



2. Swimsuits are Sirens
    One-piece swimsuits and tankinis are about as rare as snow in Rio. Okay, so I might be exaggerating a tad bit, but the truth is, unlike the U.S., where swimsuits are strategically designed and fashioned to cover parts of the body, in Brazil, they are designed to draw the eye's attention. For example, the back of a bikini bottom is the same exact size as the bikini front; hence, not much coverage is happening. And you know what? That's the point. Curves are adored down here, and the more an article of clothing can accentuate all the cushy, curvy areas of a woman, the better!



3. Confidence is Sexy
    The majority of the women in Rio, or at least as witnessed in Ipanema, are sexy not because they meet the media-inspired standards of beauty, but because they are fully aware and confident in who they are. Regardless of the size of curves, or the presence of cellulite, all the women seemed comfortable in their own skin. They've discovered that sexiness is a state of mind, which happens to be expressed physically, and not the other way around.

           If the hours I spent at the beach weren't enough to convince me that the female body is lovely, healthy and perfect just as it is, then this mural that lined the walls of the Ipanema subway station certainly did the job. Do you notice anything specific about the women, here? They all celebrate the natural female figure – hips, thighs, chest and all. And if this celebration is such an integral part of the Brazilian cultural identity, then perhaps this is something we should import into the American consciousness. After all, as the Cariocas know, Life really is a beach.