For those of you who do water aerobics.....

Was responding to Jennifer about how much I love my water aerobics now that I'm going regularly and what to wear.  Because the chlorine in the pool does such damage to regular swimsuits, I learned about a great website for purchasing chlorine resistant swimwear and they provide the suits up to size 26W.  I have found them to be quite reasonable (compared to a lot of others I've researched).  So if you're considering getting into the water for some exercise (and believe me....most of us are QUITE large in these groups), this is a great website to check out.

Go to www.sweatandswim.com and click on the Women's Plus Size over on the left hand column.

You said it! Folks in those classes have the same problems as we do...even if they are skinny, they can have knee problems, arthritis, etc.  Typically, all folks there have enough problems of theri own to be looking at our flab!

Aside form that...I just cringe somewhere deep down when I see that fat peeps will not wear swimsuits or other fitted clothes. Years ago, 50# heavier...I read Susan Powter who said how important it was to climb that hill where we are ashamed of our fat bodies. I came to realize that she was exactly right. Yes, it was hard to look at myself unsheathed. Yes, there were bad spots.

But over time, especially as I dropped weight, I could see slight changes and became more excited about those.  yes, the ugly spots exist.  they are still there. As women, we know damn well we are NEVER happy with our bodies, right????

One story i have told before:  on another board during 911, we all talked about how many women who looked at her body that day, on the last day of her life looked in the mirror before work, and hated what she saw?

(I cannot type that without misting up a bit...)


Please, alla y'all..start - TODAY - to love that body no matter what size it is.  It is crying out for your love & acceptance.

So true, Neecee!!  I spent  all of our family vacations avoiding the beach and water activities because I wouldn't be seen in a bathing suit....sat in the condo or campsite or whatever while my husband did those fun things with the kids.

Now that I'm older....and bigger than ever, by the way....I could care less who sees the bulges, rolls and varicose veins.  I romp on the beach, play in the ocean and enjoy my pool at the Y without caring a flying fig who sees me.  Too bad it took me all these years to realize that my enjoyment of life is far more important than caring what other people think.

I may not love my body (ok, I KNOW I don't) but last summer i had a revelation of sorts. I realized that by hiding my body away and avoiding things/situations I was punishing my daughter more than anyone. I wouldn't go swimming, camping, would rather stay in an airconditioned house than be outside in the heat, covered up cuase I refused to wear cooler more revealing clothes. I got a new swimsuit, and I decided to wear tanktops (still won't wear shorts, but I love capri's) I am not comfortable with my body, but I'm not gonna let it stop me from enjoying life, and letting my daughter experience swimming and summer fun with her momma. I know I have flabby arms and everything else, but if people want to judge me thats their problem. I just try to ignore it.  

Heather....how wonderful you came to that realization while your daughter was so young!  I wish I had for my children too.  She will have so many happy memories because of it.

Good for you Heather!  Truth is, any person who would outwardly makes fun of others truly is the worse off of the bunch. Nobody thinks s/he is cute or funny!

I've been insulted in public, in all cases it's been teen boys - still was hard to hear but I would almost laugh at them when they did it and they were blown away and shut down. I KNOW they are self conscious.

Also, the older I get the more i realize most of us are so wrapped up in our own self-awareness that we rarely peek out to see others.

Um...and we still look fat when we are all 'covered up"! Therefore, may as well be comfy, right??