Pool embarrassment...

coolraul07

You can do it! If you want, you can wear a T-shirt. However, I do not think that is necessary. : )

You havent seen me with my shirt off... its definitely necessary! lol

Sympathetic ear here dude, I feel your pain. I have an above ground pool with a deck and opaque fencing, it's bordered on 3 sides by my house and 'redtips' (20+ foot tall hedges).... and I STILL wear a compression shirt when I'm in it! I buy 'Starter' brand sleeveless ones from WalMart ($10 for men's small). They're great because their dry-weave type material wicks sweat away from your skin when not in pool, but will handle being in water and not weigh your down like a t-shirt will. Plus, once you get out they'll air-dry like that <snaps fingers>!

Crochetluvr

The best thing I did was use our association pool when I first started my weight loss program. I was there 3 times a week. I felt more envious of the other women that had cute bikini bodies than self concious about my own body. I started out water jogging. Fifteen minutes back and forth. Then a half hour...then 45 min...then finally I was able to jog a full hour. I added water calisthenics and lap swimming to my workout and the pounds just dropped off. The pool is open on weekends finally and I will be there both Saturday and Sunday to pick up where I left off. DON'T be afraid of what people think because the results are worth it.

Kpablo

The 3 or 4 people probably feel the same way.

Calinorth

I used to feel the same way dude! but just take that bad boy off and jump in!. Most people dont pay attention to others anyways because they are all thinking the same thing.

Luckldy31

I swim at the gym... I'm not aerodynamic because of my body shape, I am a terrible swimmer, and I'm always paranoid that I missed a spot shaving my legs so I don't want to be in a swimsuit... but I convinced a friend of mine to join, and we go together. If you have a friend who goes to your gym, or you have a guest pass, I would suggest that. My friend pushes me, and I push her, and together, we don't think about what others are thinking, we just focus on getting in a good workout.

PlayerHatinDogooder

Seriously bro . . . don't worry about it. The only one spending any energy on it is you.

And if this guy can find the courage so can you.

binglebandit

Thanks for posting this. I read your post and thought, "what, it's no big deal, you'll be fine, no one is going to judge you, have fun!" Then I remembered, this is the same exact thing I've been worrying about all week. Husband is threatening to take me swimming immediately when the pool opens. XD Anyways, I can really relate, and now after wanting to encourage you, I feel like maybe I should be taking some of that advice myself. So thanks for indirectly helping me get the courage to go too. If it's still hard, maybe imagine you are trying to convince someone to go, that way it'll give you some perspective, like it did for me.

I hope you do take everyone's advice and enjoy yourself.

saxmaniac

To be honest, I've struggled with this... but never at a pool, where people are expected to have their shirt off. It's a pool.

if it matters to you, just take the time to groom yourself. Now, If you look like a chubby bear and you don't care, that's fine -- there's some excellent swimmers at my gym who look like that and are damn fast. But if you are a bit skittish, cut down the forest a bit, you might feel more confident.

Not that my opinion matters, but I think T-shirts are silly. Wear a rashguard, or nothing.

carbons2k

I did it. I decided to hit the gym before my plans tonite and I got in some cardio. 45 mins on the treadmill walk/jog. I went down to the pool and it was a little crowded so I went to the jacuzzi again. Say there for about 5 mins then the pool just emptied! I got my goggles and found the furthest lane possible and had at it. Really awkward at first but I got thru it. I did only 6 laps before I felt winded but I could tell that with the 10 mins I was there I got a better workout than the treadmill. Maybe I've found my new calling? Thanx all for the encouragement!

Sqeekyjojo

Don't forget a large number of people swimming won't have their glasses on (and contacts come out in the pool, as I found to my cost once).

So the people you think are staring could be trying to work out where the water stops before they swim headfirst into the wall, whether the showers are behind you, or if that's going to end with them trying to get into the broom cupboard.


And if they can see past their own nose, they're not interested in another random guy swimming.

cranium853

First of all, nobody has the right to judge your size or form. Try a kickboard or ask for lessons if you don't like your skill level. My experience is that people at the pool tend to be pleased with folks working on self-improvement, and if you get dissed from the teenagers, go watch Fried Green Tomatoes and squish their car in the parking lot. Or borrow a little kid and swim with them.

MsKriss281

I did it. I decided to hit the gym before my plans tonite and I got in some cardio. 45 mins on the treadmill walk/jog. I went down to the pool and it was a little crowded so I went to the jacuzzi again. Say there for about 5 mins then the pool just emptied! I got my goggles and found the furthest lane possible and had at it. Really awkward at first but I got thru it. I did only 6 laps before I felt winded but I could tell that with the 10 mins I was there I got a better workout than the treadmill. Maybe I've found my new calling? Thanx all for the encouragement!

Awesome! :happy:

catneon

I did it. I decided to hit the gym before my plans tonite and I got in some cardio. 45 mins on the treadmill walk/jog. I went down to the pool and it was a little crowded so I went to the jacuzzi again. Say there for about 5 mins then the pool just emptied! I got my goggles and found the furthest lane possible and had at it. Really awkward at first but I got thru it. I did only 6 laps before I felt winded but I could tell that with the 10 mins I was there I got a better workout than the treadmill. Maybe I've found my new calling? Thanx all for the encouragement!

Way to go! Great to see you got motivated to do it after getting the responses on here!!!! Congrats and keep going!!

MizTerry

I am this way in the weight room, especially when there's a bunch of fellas and me and my lifting buddy are working on our thighs. I am super-self concious.

mikey1976

i'm right there with you where i live theres plenty of beaches. i live in the area for comming up in october 19 years i've been in the lake like 6 or 7 times all those years. i don't really know how to swim and i'm way to afraid to go with out a shirt so i know exacly how you feel

AmberleyAngel

I identify. I absolutely adore swimming but I got to the point where I wouldn't even go to the river or beach, let alone a public swimming pool. Fortunately I am blessed as we bought a swimming pool and now I can swim to my heart's content at home, in private, whenever I want.

I wear shorts and a tshirt in the pool - until I can fit into a nice one-piece. Wear something comfortable but not something that will hamper your movements and weigh you down. Get in there and swim and as you do more your skills should improve.

Hope you can get into it.

Athena53

I know exactly how you feel. I am training for a triathlon right now, and whenever possible, I do open water swims since I can wear a wet suit.

LOL! The first time I wore one for a tri I joked that no one was allowed to take any pictures. Then I realized how flattering a basic black suit that squashed all the bulges flat was for me and I posted a pic on FaceBook.

Two things in addition to all the previous encouragement: first, you're mostly underwater anyway when you're swimming so there's not that much for people to see. Second, if you invest in a heart rate monitor, check your swimming heart rate against your rate during other cardio. I found I have a very lazy breast stroke (never learned to swim properly) but if I just start running back and forth in the water at waist height I can really get it beating, so I do that at intervals.

Have fun- I love swimming!

SanteMulberry

LOL---What's great about being a senior is that you no longer care what others think about the way you look. (I go to a senior's water exercise group. ) Besides, I look better than most of the old bats in there--I even had an old geezer try to pick me up the other day.

Seriously-- as a rule, real adults pay little attention to the way others look at the pool. That's for twenty-something singles and teenagers. The one exception to that rule, is the way everyone in my class exclaims over a favorite swim buddy--a 92 year-old who looks like someone left him out in the sun too long and he melted. But bless his heart, he gets out there and swims laps every day! If he can do it, so can you!

jonswife0206

I did it. I decided to hit the gym before my plans tonite and I got in some cardio. 45 mins on the treadmill walk/jog. I went down to the pool and it was a little crowded so I went to the jacuzzi again. Say there for about 5 mins then the pool just emptied! I got my goggles and found the furthest lane possoible and had at it. Really awkward at first but I got thru it. I did only 6 laps before I felt winded but I could tell that with the 10 mins I was there I got a better workout than the treadmill. Maybe I've found my new calling? Thanx all for the encouragement!

That's so fantastic, you have a lot to be proud of for overcoming your discomfort and going for it !! Yay !

BioShocked89

Everyone has to start somewhere. When I first met my fiance, he couldn't even put his head underwater at all because it scared him so much. Now he loves to go swimming. In terms of swimming laps, I'd suggest the breaststroke. (Kinda feels like swimming like a frog).

glorificus37

Yes, swimsuits are friendly to no normal person (by which I mean all non-swimsuit models). However, I've been going to the gym for a little while and every single person is so engrossed in themselves they DON'T CARE about anyone else. So if you acquire than attitude, go make a big splash!!!!!!

Just go swim.

watermstry

As a former lifeguard and swim instructor, I would like to offer my two cents.

1) I always felt bad for people swimming in shirts. It looks so uncomfortable and heavy! It doesn't make people look smaller either. Really, people swimming laps are barely noticing everyone else in the pool. Trust me - I spent 7 summers staring at swimmers.

2) Take a few private swim lessons. Check out Craigslist for good deals, or see if your city rec program offers adult classes. Personally, I loved teaching adults. Changing just a few of your mechanics might make swimming much more pleasant for you.

carbons2k

Has anyone wore their heart monitor in the pool?

heykatieben

Everyone starts somewhere. I was embarrassed about not being able to swim - I started last season literally on my deck learning how to breathe in a bowl of water. I ended the season having done an olympic triathlon. DO IT!

morkiemama

I did it. I decided to hit the gym before my plans tonite and I got in some cardio. 45 mins on the treadmill walk/jog. I went down to the pool and it was a little crowded so I went to the jacuzzi again. Say there for about 5 mins then the pool just emptied! I got my goggles and found the furthest lane possible and had at it. Really awkward at first but I got thru it. I did only 6 laps before I felt winded but I could tell that with the 10 mins I was there I got a better workout than the treadmill. Maybe I've found my new calling? Thanx all for the encouragement!

YAY proud of you!

morkiemama

Has anyone wore their heart monitor in the pool?

I have. I own a Polar FT7 and you can swim with it. You cannot PUSH the buttons of the watch underwater though. I have heard others put it in a ziploc baggie just to be safe and stuff it in their suit

Shawshankcan

I had that problem. I was worried about taking my shirt off, drowning, pissing off the other swimmers. I said screw it and went for it. I can do one length. Then wait a moment then swim
Back. No one points. No one laughs. No one cares.

Athena53

Has anyone worn their heart monitor in the pool?

I also wear my FT7 in the pool. It works fine but, like the earlier poster, I don't push buttons while in the water. One of the things I like about the FT7 is being able to use it while swimming. I don't think my FitBit would tolerate it!

fiberartist219

I have a bikini, and yes, I let my pale giant belly hang out for all to see, but then as soon as I'm done, I throw a dress on over it to cover up.

It's only embarrassing if you let it be. No, I'm not at the pool to flaunt my goods, but I am there to enjoy the water and have fun. The way I see it, no one's belly ever shrank by sitting around hiding from all the fun and active stuff in life. However, there are lots of folks out there that have gotten into shape by swimming and exercising in the water. In fact, it burns a lot of calories, and is very easy on your joints. I can completely wear myself out in the water without being sore. It's fabulous.

So, get out there, and have fun. By just doing what you want to do, you're actually going to make your body look better. No one will say anything to you, and if they do, they are a total prick for trying to bring you down while you're in the middle of improving that very situation.

Go enjoy the water!

khall86790

I am TERRIBLE at swimming but to be honest, nobody is watching you swim. So just go, get your burn on and enjoy it. Swimming is awesome, even if you are bad at it, it's still enjoyable.