As swimsuit season ends, pursuit of the ‘bikini body’ endures

Perspective | As swimsuit season ends, pursuit of the ‘bikini body’ endures

I was 16 when I bought my first bikini at the mall. It was a reward. That morning, when I knew my stomach was flattest, I had lain on my bed, taken a deep breath and rested a ruler across my hips. Just barely, but sure enough, there was space between the plastic and my flesh.