Overcoming My Fear Of The Swimsuit

Hanfordrose

Yes, I am the lady who did the blog entitled 'Fear of A Swimsuit'. I was so afraid of having my plus size body exposed to the world in a swimsuit. I thought that it might cause nightmares for some folks and laughter or rude comments from others. Either way, it was a scary proposition for me. :noway:

Here is a link to that blog, if you are interested. It might speak to other folks with a fear of putting on a swimsuit for the first time in years.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Hanfordrose/view/terrified-of-a-swimsuit-540709

Well, this old girl finally took the plunge. Today, the first of 3 (yes THREE) swimsuits arrived in the mail; and it FITS. That was all that I needed. I put my 219 pound body into that new black swimdress and panties. Even though my upper arms are huge, and my thighs are fat and sagging...even though I am 68 years old and live most of my life sitting in a wheelchair...today I went swimming.

After more than 16 years, I got into a swimming pool...in my brand new swimdress; and I didn't care who saw me. That first moment in the water was priceless.



I couldn't believe the freedom that I felt in the water.



The water felt so good on a hot day.



I back stroked and breast stroked for more than 30 minutes; and amazingly, I had no pain in my worn out knees with all that effort. The water gave me the opportunity to move freely without taking any weight on my knees. This was an unbelievable feeling, after so long in wheelchair or only using a walker with pain.

This was truly a gift from God.



After 45 minutes of swimming and some stretching in the pool, my hubbie and I took a dip in the spa to warm our old bones, before heading home. Of course, he had to get one picture of Mama wrapped up in a towel.



This is one wet but very happy lady today. I will be returning to the pool as much as I can during this hot summer in the high desert. After all, I have 2 more swimsuits coming in the mail and no more fear of wearing them.



...and here is the man who made it all possible...the love of my life...my sweetheart...my amazing hubbie Ed...Pastor Special Ed to those who know him and love him.



Ed told me that he had been looking forward to this day. He even said that going to the pool was 'way more fun with Mama' than by himself....perhaps, because he got to try and dunk me once. Of course, he failed. Mama is a much better swimmer, and I still out-weighs him...but not for long.

naticksdonna

Congratulations! What a terrific feeling, ey? To have that freedom from pain is a wonderful thing! I imagine you'll be doing a lot of swimming! Good for you!

Raeontherun

Congratulations!! So happy that you had such an awesome day in the pool

daniellemm1

Awesome! That's all I have to say. Just Awesome!!!

JenniTheVeggie

You look sooo happy!

BeachGingerOnTheRocks

To quote one of my favorite characters in a movie:

Just keep swimming!

This is awesome!

Goin4goal

Soooo happy for you!!! Keep up the good work. And you look fantastic in that pool !!

63hanson

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I've been following your blog and I have to say, You are an amazing lady! You have such a wonderful outlook on life and it sounds like you have a wonderful husband too.

Enjoy your time in the pool, it's a great workout. And keep writing your blog, I do enjoy reading it

emd2570

wooohooo !!congrats ! you look like you had an amazing time- your smile says it all ... to you and your hubby!!

parys1

The joy on your face made my heart sing.

Britterboo22

this story brought tears to my eyes.
im so proud of the progress you have made and you looked wonderful out there today and im so happy that you have such a supportive husband, he seems like a great guy.

Also swimming is a wonderful workout. I do water aerobics when I can.

phoo513

Congratulations! What a wonderful gift from Our Father....... He does provide.

heatherloveslifting

You look so happy- radiant! I love your attitude. Life is to be lived! Today!

Crochetluvr

That's wonderful...GOOD FOR YOU!! I didn't weigh much less than you when I decided I was going to go to the pool and exercise. And that's part of the reason I lost the weight I did. I am back in the pool again for the summer....best exercise and so much fun! Enjoy your summer by the pool and continued success!!

dwalt15110

This is fantastic! I am so excited for you. Those pics show how great that new freedom made you feel. Look at you burning those calories. Your new scale is going to get a workout!

BeachIron

Awesome! Congratulations and well done on overcoming your fear! Keep it up!

Florawanda

Brilliant, swimming is such good exercise, and you looked good in your new swimsuit... though I fear you will have to order some more as you lose weight!! I hope you have many happy times in that pool! And it will help so much to tone up the muscles!

teenytinii

How wonderful ~ You look so happy

xxnellie146xx

That is awesome! You look so happy!

sarahthin

I am so jealous. You are having such a great time and I know from experience that you will do very well with the workouts you get in the pool. Spent lots of time in one after my first knee replacement. One word of caution. It felt so good that I would forget to get out and would overdo it. I didn't always do breast or crawl sometimes it was just a dog paddle and moving my legs. Great therapy. Don't have one near us now. I miss it.

pwittek10

Great going!

CrankMeUp

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!

Contrarian

Thank you for sharing this. It made my heart happier.

AlongCame_Molly

You are so awesome! I just love this thread. The smile on your face in that water is just so beautifully priceless...

Don't let anyone keep you out of that pool! Just keep swimming, and strengthen your knees!

SteviePaige

You brought a tear to my eye!! I think that you are beautiful!! I'm so glad you overcame your fear and "dived" right in!! Congrats on the success!! I can't say that I can relate to the feeling, although I know my own mother, who is 69, has felt the same way, and recently "took the plunge" on a vacation we took together. Just think of all the exercise you can get by swimming now!!! And, swimming provides greater resistance than exercise on land...so you actually work harder in the swimming pool, with less effort and strain!! BONUS!!! Enjoy those new bathing suits as often as you can!!!!! Congrats again beautiful!!

alliemarie77

Congrats on an awesome day, and an awesome workout with your man! (-: Keep it up, and enjoy the fun.

Sherbog

This is my all time favorite post. It was a swimsuit trip to a water park in Denver, Colorado that motivate me. Best to you and your journey. Great post and great pictures. I was 212 at my heaviest. Very close to what you mention...I love your optimistic and positive attitude.

Thanks for sharing.

Shirley in Oregon

Hanfordrose

I am so jealous. You are having such a great time and I know from experience that you will do very well with the workouts you get in the pool. Spent lots of time in one after my first knee replacement. One word of caution. It felt so good that I would forget to get out and would overdo it. I didn't always do breast or crawl sometimes it was just a dog paddle and moving my legs. Great therapy. Don't have one near us now. I miss it.

Thank you for the good advice. There is a clock on the wall by the pool. I noted the time, when I got in; and I planned to swim for 30 minutes...if I could. I had no problems doing 30 minutes of back and breast stroke. Australian crawl was a bit painful on my left shoulder for now; so, I opted for the easier strokes. I actually did 17 laps during that half hour. Then, I did some stretching at the edge of the pool to work my inner and outer thighs.

I did discover that I cannot walk in the pool without some knee pain; so, I will wait for that, until I have got my new knees. I don't want to ruin a good thing by doing something foolish.

Ed had a lot of fun keeping up with me on his floatation noodle. Ed doesn't swim; he just floats and walks on the bottom. This is almost entirely a 4 foot deep pool. That is walkable for him.

jenilla1

It's a great feeling to overcome a fear. You suddenly become very powerful. Congratulations and keep swimming! :drinker:

This reminds me of my own swimsuit fear story. Mine is pretty irrational and foolish, now that I think of it, though. I think it comes from when I was a kid, I was very shy. I've always been self-conscious about showing too much skin, even though I'm a fit person, I've never been overweight and I've always thought I looked great naked. But I've always kind of "dressed down." Maybe I didn't want to attract attention or have the creepers staring me down.

It took me until my 39th birthday when I finally decided I was too old to care what other people thought anymore and couldn't care less if a creeper creeps. I tried on my first bikini and I looked awesome, so I bought it. Turns out I'd wasted decades wearing soggy T-shirts and shorts instead of being comfortable and enjoying swimming suits. Now that's ridiculous! :ohwell: :embarassed:

oceanbreeze22

Good for you! You do look so happy in the pool and I hope you enjoy it all summer.

DragonSquatter

I love this! Congratulations!