"Fat Cow" in the pool (help!)

I swim at the YMCA. I swim in the daytime when it was quieter and stay away from the family swim times in the evening and weekends when the teenagers would be there. 

Pre and post Lap Band surgery I joined a local YMCA and participated in their arthritis exercise pool classes. The people are generally older and more accepting.

Unfortunately, people say things that are not approperiate and they don't consider the other person's feeling or how it will affect them. There is a saying that I heard years back, I love it. "It's none of my business what you think of me". For me it is what I think of myself that matters.

Many of my support group members swim at the YMCA in the morning during adult swim or go to water aerobic classes, they also go to Super 8 or the AmericInn to use the pool during the day for a small fee. Unfortunate for those that are picked on or commented about, we must develop a thick skin and teach our children to be polite. These days people can be so rude.

 I've been going to water aerobics at my gym since i was pre-op.  Those classes tend to be folks with arthritis or other issues  or sometimes just age and they don't want to do some of the more strenuous or joint taxing classes.  I didn't/don't feel self-conscious there.  The group is very accepting of each other and supportive.  There is even a class during the day specifically for arthritis sufferers and I've heard that the folks who go to that class are looking for an even milder form of exercise.  Anyway, I've enjoyed the class for a year now.  Those folks were some of the few I told about my surgery and they've watched me shrink literally before their eyes and been very supportive.  

I have a pool in my own backyard that I use from June to September. Outside of that we have a local Y but aquafit classes always seem to be during the day when I am at work. I love to swim but I am horrified that the loose skin on my butt and upper thighs floats now. I think the suggestions to check with local hotels is a great idea. I will also be checking for local therapy pools.

Linda

 Before my WLS surgery I shared the same experiences and even some outside the pool.  I can remember going into stores and having people enter before me and then slamming the door in my face.  It was as if they didn't even see me; maybe I was "invisible" to them.

I went to a local YMCA where people of all sizes swam because my knees and joints hurt me when I would do regular exercising, like walking or biking.  My gym (Gold's) also has classed for bariatric patients which is nice because no one feels out of place.  Prejudice is taught, and unfortunately much of it begins in the home and at school.

I swim at a local hospital's fitness center.   (Valley Medical in Renton WA).  

Everyone there is either obese or elderly and non-judgmental.   

I overheard one of the workers who was giving a tour refer to us as clients who are in a limited demographic.   I laughed at how politically correct that statement was.

It is a great place full of very accepting people. I have even brought some of my thin and young friends from work there as guests and they even agreed they loved the attitude of acceptance. One is thinking of joining there with me.

They offer many classes for those of limited mobility.   I am not sure how common it is for hospitals to have fitness centers but it is a great option for people to look into.  

Often clubs have open adult swim only however I would suggest going early as possible to any pool, kids like to sleep in so most anytime before 10AM could be safe!At least that has been my experience.
RaeAnn

Whoa! I'm just reading this thread for the first time. It really hits a cord in people's lives I see. It's so ironic, I put my feet (just my feet) in the pool for the first in years last night. I kept thinking I'm so excited to lose weight so that it won't just be my toes but my entire body enjoying the water!

 I live on Long Island and am not a fan of public pools for many reasons. Sorry I can be of no help.