Teddi Mellencamp Shows Loose Skin on Stomach, Says 'I'm Done Covering': 'It's Time to Celebrate This Body'

The 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' alum says “there’s no such thing as a summer body” and says there's nothing better than the 'feeling of being kind to yourself”

<p>Teddi Mellencamp/Instagram</p> Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave shares a flashback photo on Instagram.

Teddi Mellencamp/Instagram

Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave shares a flashback photo on Instagram.

Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave says it’s time to celebrate the body you have, because “There’s no such thing as a “summer body.”

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum shared a personal flashback photo on Instagram Tuesday, saying that she used to cover up at the beach due to insecurity about her appearance.

“For years I would be anxious going to the pool or beach, uncomfy in myself, and thought covering up like in the left photo was all I needed. But really I was covering up insecurities rather than dealing with them head on,” she said.

Amanda Edwards/Getty Images Teddi Mellencamp on the red carpet.
Amanda Edwards/Getty Images Teddi Mellencamp on the red carpet.

But Mellencamp, now 42, shared that even after embarking on her fitness journey, ”there were things I would still pick at myself about, like the loose skin you see on my stomach in the right photo.”

“But I’m done covering. It’s time to celebrate this body and everything it’s done for me,” wrote Mellencamp Arroyave, who has said she remembers “the tears when the doc said, ‘Teddi, you’re 5’3” and over 200lbs.’ “

The mom of three — she shares daughter Dove, 4, son Cruz, 9, and daughter Slate, 11, with husband Edwin Arroyave — is now a health and wellness coach with her own fitness program, ALL IN by Teddi, and says the weight isn’t the most important part of a health journey.

Related: Teddi Mellencamp Has Surgery to Remove Melanoma from Her Arm: '15th Time'

“What I’ve finally come to realize is that it’s the FEELING that matters: the feeling of you’re doing the best for yourself, the feeling of owning your story, the feeling of being kind to yourself and honoring where you are right now, and knowing that you are worthy."

"This is the true essence of a ‘summer body.’

She encouraged her followers to “share your story below and let’s create a community of support and empowerment!”

Related: Teddi Mellencamp Thought She Was in Menopause but It Was 'Symptoms from the Copper IUD'

When one woman shared a story of women mocking her on the beach, saying they “laughed at me and called me names. Telling me I don’t belong on the beach. All infront of my kids,” Mellencamp replied with a supportive comment.

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“Do NOT let those women take away your power please. You deserve a day at the beach with your kiddos. Know that whatever they were saying is all projection ❤️”

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