Swimsuit dilemna - who is brave enough?
I don't have a swimsuit yet. I haven't had one in years, but I need to start doing water aerobics. I am 5'10" and although I've lost a lot I still weigh over 300 lbs. I saw some at Catherines but didn't havg the ambition to try one on yet. They're cheaper when ordered through Just My Size or Fashion Bug, etc. I can wear a size 28 blue jean from Catherines (stretch denim) and a 28/30 or 4X in most tops. I think I would probably go for a 26 swimsuit since they're stretchy and I'm still losing, but I freak out thinking about exposing my upper arms (they're deformed from all the fat - not just loose, really deformed) and my upper thighs - also really yucky). I've thought about putting a tshirt on top and getting a skirttini style bottom that at least covers part of my upper thighs, but am really squeamish about the whole idea. Plastic surgery is definitely in my future when I'm done if I can possibly afford it.
Does anyone else have this problem? What do you wear to swim?
Also, I have to drive 30 miles to get to the nearest indoor pool - that's the only place I have near me to swim and I've been using the no swimsuit excuse for not going. I need a boot to get me moving more so I can tone up some where I'm not deformed! I'm not as vain as I was in my twenties and thirties, but I don't want people to stare at me before I get in the pool.
Does anyone else have this problem? What do you wear to swim?
Also, I have to drive 30 miles to get to the nearest indoor pool - that's the only place I have near me to swim and I've been using the no swimsuit excuse for not going. I need a boot to get me moving more so I can tone up some where I'm not deformed! I'm not as vain as I was in my twenties and thirties, but I don't want people to stare at me before I get in the pool.
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Hi,
Even now at my heaviest weight, I still swim. We just got back from vacation to the Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic last month and I spent many days in a swimsuit. I don't like how I look in one, but I make myself get in the water anyway.
I have found that the two-piece suits with a tank top and skirt bottom work best for me. I get mine at Fashion Bug. Since you've already had your surgery, you might consider buying a suit off eBay. I have to say that I would NOT advise ordering one online unles you can try it on in a store first. It takes me many, many tries before I find one that fits me right. I have tried on every suit in the store and not found a single one that looks okay and had to wait for more styles to come in at times. I have had to go up one size in swimwear because when I try the size I usually wear, they are very snug -- uncomfortable even -- and show every bulge and roll. I prefer having a little extra room around my tummy in the top. Going up one size does that for me.
In all honesty, no one else cares how you look in a swimsuit. They are all too worried about how their own bodies look in their swimsuits! Don't let the fear of what people might do (i.e. stare at you) prevent you from doing something you want to do. Nobody has a perfect body.
Good look to you!
Even now at my heaviest weight, I still swim. We just got back from vacation to the Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic last month and I spent many days in a swimsuit. I don't like how I look in one, but I make myself get in the water anyway.
I have found that the two-piece suits with a tank top and skirt bottom work best for me. I get mine at Fashion Bug. Since you've already had your surgery, you might consider buying a suit off eBay. I have to say that I would NOT advise ordering one online unles you can try it on in a store first. It takes me many, many tries before I find one that fits me right. I have tried on every suit in the store and not found a single one that looks okay and had to wait for more styles to come in at times. I have had to go up one size in swimwear because when I try the size I usually wear, they are very snug -- uncomfortable even -- and show every bulge and roll. I prefer having a little extra room around my tummy in the top. Going up one size does that for me.
In all honesty, no one else cares how you look in a swimsuit. They are all too worried about how their own bodies look in their swimsuits! Don't let the fear of what people might do (i.e. stare at you) prevent you from doing something you want to do. Nobody has a perfect body.
Good look to you!
Thanks for your comments - I don't know if I can even find a selection of suits in my size in a brick and mortar store. But I will have to look harder I guess. Most stores stop at size 24 - Catherines had very few to choose from. I don't know where else to look - I'll give the Fashion Bug store a try - I've seen their suits online but haven't looked in the store. I know trying anything on is preferable to buying through the mail.
I hope nobody else cares how I look - lol - and at my age I really shouldn't give a darn anyway should I?
I hope nobody else cares how I look - lol - and at my age I really shouldn't give a darn anyway should I?
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I know I shouldn't care, but I am a child of my parents and they used to make snide comments about overweight people when I was growing up. It didn't do any wonders for my older sister who had weight problems which were relatively minor then and it always made me feel self-conscious about my weight, even when I was only 20 or 30 lbs. overweight.
My late husband was so good at trying to convince me to not worry about what others thought so much - but those early imprints from our parents stay with us a lifetime! My daughters both have weight problems too but I try not to say negative things about it - I concentrate on the health aspect. I usually root for the chubby girls in the media - I think if they can overcome the public's perception and succeed on their talent it's a great message. Right now my favorite recording artist is the new British singer, Adele. I just wanna tell her, you go girl!
My late husband was so good at trying to convince me to not worry about what others thought so much - but those early imprints from our parents stay with us a lifetime! My daughters both have weight problems too but I try not to say negative things about it - I concentrate on the health aspect. I usually root for the chubby girls in the media - I think if they can overcome the public's perception and succeed on their talent it's a great message. Right now my favorite recording artist is the new British singer, Adele. I just wanna tell her, you go girl!
[
Cindy,
My upper thighs look like someone has blown up a balloon one too many times and let the air out. I am eventually going to get a swim suit but I'm going to get the kind that has a sarong for a cover up. That way, they won't be seen for very long. For some odd reason, I don't really care about covering up my arms just my legs.
Actually at the pool I think you're talking about, the ones who do water aerobics won't think a thing about you in a bathing suit. I was going there before I changed gyms. I would walk around their walking track and then swim. The ladies who did the water aerobics tried and tried to get me to join them. They didn't care what I looked like and I was at 337 pounds at the time.
Laura
My upper thighs look like someone has blown up a balloon one too many times and let the air out. I am eventually going to get a swim suit but I'm going to get the kind that has a sarong for a cover up. That way, they won't be seen for very long. For some odd reason, I don't really care about covering up my arms just my legs.
Actually at the pool I think you're talking about, the ones who do water aerobics won't think a thing about you in a bathing suit. I was going there before I changed gyms. I would walk around their walking track and then swim. The ladies who did the water aerobics tried and tried to get me to join them. They didn't care what I looked like and I was at 337 pounds at the time.
Laura
Laura - my arms are messed up too - not just chubby, but actually deformed. The past couple of years I developed rolls in my upper arms - like a baby but with stretched out skin. Now it looks like I have 2 more breasts under each arm - I guess I look like someone who could nurse the octuplets! It's funny, kinda, but sad too.
I think my legs are probably like yours - more women put weight on their thighs and have those problems, but my arms - I've never seen any like mine - I will definitely have to have plastic surgery to get rid of that - sigh... for now I'll probably wear a tshirt with sleeves close to my elbow.
I've had a membership at the Glasgow Y for years but haven't used it in several years either. I guess I'm going to just have to go while Sallie's in school - leave early and come back before she gets out of school. I need to make myself do stuff for myself. Going while kids are in school sounds so much better because most of the pool users will be older like me and I know they won't care - it's the young folks I don't want to shock! lol
I think my legs are probably like yours - more women put weight on their thighs and have those problems, but my arms - I've never seen any like mine - I will definitely have to have plastic surgery to get rid of that - sigh... for now I'll probably wear a tshirt with sleeves close to my elbow.
I've had a membership at the Glasgow Y for years but haven't used it in several years either. I guess I'm going to just have to go while Sallie's in school - leave early and come back before she gets out of school. I need to make myself do stuff for myself. Going while kids are in school sounds so much better because most of the pool users will be older like me and I know they won't care - it's the young folks I don't want to shock! lol
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Cindy,
I've got to have some plastics too someday. I'm going to see how much toning will help before I do. I might not have quite as much to be removed that way. lol
I used to go to the Y when I was a member at around 9 am. I would walk on the walking track for a while and then swim. I never had anyone look at me funny as far as I remember. There were ladies in there doing their water aerobics and pre-school kids. I really enjoyed swimming. I may do some at the city pool this year. Every hour they call a 10 or 15 minute break. That's when the adults can get in without anyone under 18 in the pool unless they are still babies. So I could jump in to cool off anytime. Still have to get enough sun not to look like a lobster!!!
Laura
I've got to have some plastics too someday. I'm going to see how much toning will help before I do. I might not have quite as much to be removed that way. lol
I used to go to the Y when I was a member at around 9 am. I would walk on the walking track for a while and then swim. I never had anyone look at me funny as far as I remember. There were ladies in there doing their water aerobics and pre-school kids. I really enjoyed swimming. I may do some at the city pool this year. Every hour they call a 10 or 15 minute break. That's when the adults can get in without anyone under 18 in the pool unless they are still babies. So I could jump in to cool off anytime. Still have to get enough sun not to look like a lobster!!!
Laura
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