How to look good NEARLY naked

on a scale of one to horrifying, buying a bathing suit is for most women a 10 on the stress chart.

Tricia Andres McDonald, owner of bela sol swimwear, shows us how to fight the fear and find the fit

Mel kessler, Personal trainer

BeFore: (orange/yellow/black Tankini)

Mel, like many women, wanted to have a little more coverage in her mid-section; therefore she would always choose a tankini style of suit. However, tankinis and their corresponding bottoms often will cut into the areas that you are trying to cover up. This will accentuate the belly area and cause “muffin top” under the tankini.

AFter: (purple Drape one-piece)

Try something new to cover up the mid-section, like this beautifully draped one-piece. The drape in the front camouflages the tummy area, but still gives a beautiful shape to any body type.

Three tips for buying suits that will cover up your tummy:

• If buying a one-piece, try to buy something with a pattern, which distracts the eye from the tummy area; no bright solids as they will silhouette the area you are covering.

• If buying a tankini, make sure the bottom sits just below the tummy area or about an inch higher than the area you are trying to cover; this will stop the “muffin top” and give you smoother lines.

• Try a bikini! Oftentimes, we will put more fabric on areas we are trying to cover which actually attracts more attention!

Win A neW BAthinG suit

Need a bathing suit consult? Go to airdrielife.com and tell us what your fit problem is and you might win your perfect bathing suit from Bela Sol.

kelli ellingson, Foxy rocks Boutique and salon

BeFore: (blue Tankini)

Kelli has continued to wear this tankini for a couple of years now; unfortunately it has been stretched out in the bum and has way too much material for her small body type. Many women tend keep old suits that have been stretched out because they are comfortable; remember, though, they will not stay on once they get wet!

AFter: (black Monokini)

We put Kelli in a more flattering “monokini” in which we got rid of the saggy bottom and the excess fabric that her petite body was drowning in! Covering up a few scars was key for Kelli as well, so we looked for a suit that would give her shape and still give her the coverage she wanted.

Three tips for buying suits for petite figures: tricia Andres Mcdonald, owner Belo sol swimwear

• If you are buying a bikini, add some material or pattern to smaller bottoms and chests. This will give the illusion of more volume.

• Monokinis are a great alternative to give coverage and also add curves to a smaller square body.

• If you are buying a one-piece or tankini, try not to add too many layers to your small frame, as you will get lost in too much fabric.

BeFore: (blue full-bottom bikini)

Tricia is a pear-shaped body type and is wearing a fuller-bottom bikini which many women tend to wear as they would like to “cover” up their trouble areas. Unfortunately, putting too much fabric paired with a bright pattern on a voluptuous bum only draws more attention to the area and makes it look bigger than it actually is!

AFter: (White bikini)

Being a pear shape, Tricia needed a lot less fabric and pattern on the bottom. pear shapes should always try to wear smaller cuts, as they draw attention away from that area and make the bum look smaller!

Three tips for buying suits for pear shapes (voluptuous bottoms): russ Hallaby has been in rodeos from Wainwright to the Canadian Finals, and he came in second at the Calgary Stampede in 2008, but the Airdrie Pro Rodeo remains near and dear to his heart.

• If buying a bikini or tankini, LESS is MORE! Look for smaller/ higher-cut bottoms to draw attention away (if you have problems with bottoms cutting in too much, try a tie-side bottom as well).

• Look for a bikini or tankini top that is patterned, then add a solid on the bottom, this will draw the attention up and away from your bottom half.

• If buying a one-piece, look for higher cuts that elongate the leg. Make sure the material around your thigh is relaxed enough that it is not going to cut into your bottom or thighs.

“I’ve always thought Airdrie puts on a fantastic rodeo,” says the bareback horse rider. “I love it when you get a big crowd and the crowd’s fantastic and cheers everyone on.”

Hallaby has been bareback riding since his first competition at the Ponoka High School Rodeo at age 15 (“My first ride, I lasted about six seconds,” he says). The 31-year-old has been coming to the Airdrie Pro Rodeo since he was 18, and now lives northwest of the city.

Hallaby is just one of many competitors at the 43rd annual rodeo which will run June 29 to July 3.

“What’s unique about our rodeo is how close to the action you can get,” says Rob Brietzke, president of the Airdrie Rodeo Ranch Association. “I keep saying, if you sit in the first couple of rows, you can get mud kicked on you!”

With more than 700 competitors, the volunteer-driven rodeo is one of the biggest in Alberta, attracting top-notch talent often seen at the Stampede and international competitions, as well as new talent.

“We’re not an invitation rodeo,” says Brietzke. “We accept all comers ... there’s a chance some young guy who just joined the pro ranks stands a good shot.”

The exact prize purse isn’t determined until a few weeks before the event, but per-event prize money has increased to $8,100, Brietzke says, adding that he expects the total purse to exceed $150,000.

Commitment Integrity Results

A new novice category is being added this year, adding to the juniors and pros, says marketing co-director Sue Horne. Award buckles are also being presented in all events for the first time this year.

Also new is the Don Beddoes Memorial High Point Award and trophy spurs presented to the competitor with the highest points in any two events.

Entertainment will include trick rid ing by Bradi Dunn (daughter of Rodeo Hall of Famer Jim Dunn) and Ashley Furgeson, and once the dust settles, musical entertainment kicks in with scheduled performers including Chris LeBlanc, Tara Oram, Mark Lorenz and Dan Diehl.

“We get over 10,000 spectators,” Horne says, adding that the family-friendly atmo sphere continues to make the event a great pre-Stampede destination.

FoR MoRE about the Airdrie Pro rodeo, visit www.airdrieprorodeo.com