Returning tattoo the pool after decades...

JennifrClaire

Ordered a swim cap to fit over long hair. Bought goggles, fitted them with prescription lenses. As bracing myself to appear, in public, in a swim suit, still 40 pounds overweight, and age 52, with lipoedma legs. What should I tell myself, so I didn't chicken out?

TavistockToad

JFDI....

Hoshiko

What's your reason for wanting to go back?

Whatever it is, that's what you tell yourself going in.

That, and there's at least one random stranger on the internet who will be expecting an update saying you did it!

subcounter

JennifrClaire wrote: »

Ordered a swim cap to fit over long hair. Bought goggles, fitted them with prescription lenses. As bracing myself to appear, in public, in a swim suit, still 40 pounds overweight, and age 52, with lipoedma legs. What should I tell myself, so I didn't chicken out?

Just know that sounds like you are going to be your own worst critic. So nothing anyone can say could really be worse.
Just be selfish and don't really care about them.

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld

That you are amazing and that you are out there trying.

Alatariel75

When I'm at the pool and worried people are looking at me, I just realise that when I'm at the pool, I'm not worrying about anyone else, and that they're probably doing exactly the same as me.

It's easy to get caught up thinking that you're getting way more attention than you really are (I don't mean that in a bad way), so I try to think about it from their point of view, which is probably that they won't even notice you beyond a glance.

Duchy82

The chances are there will be at least one other self concience person there so you won't be alone. I went back to swimming at a UK size 20, nearly 80lbs overweight a few years back to kick start my weightloss. No one batted an eye lid, go for it what have you got to lose?

P.S. it felt great and at the time I ended up going 3 times a week. It's fallen by the waste side since I changed jobs as the lane swim times clash with my working hours but I wish I could go back. Still looking for a pool with suitable hours

FlippingFins

If it helps, my thinking is always "Once I'm in the pool, I'm barely visible".

I have psoriasis on my foot and I'm 50lbs heavier than I should be. When I walk towards the pool, there is always that sense of "if someone sees my foot they'll worry that I've got an infectious disease!", but the fact is that once you're in the water most of your body is covered and nobody's going to pay you any attention. The actual walk, when people can see you, probably lasts seconds!

Personally, for my own comfort and confidence, I wear knee length aqua shorts over a full length swimming costume, so there really isn't too much of me on display anyway!

And remember that you'll feel more confident in your body shape as time goes on, as long as you keep at it. So, that difficult first visit is probably the least confident you'll feel - and it's all up from there!

I've been 'swimming' (if you can call it that) with my preschooler since January, and it's easy now, though the first few visits did make me feel very self-conscious. Once she starts nursery in September, I have a plan to start going and doing some lane swimming three times a week in the morning, then picking her up from nursery after lunch and taking her back to the pool! Bear in mind that when we started in January, I was doing it all for her. Now, I love it so much that I want to go on my own!

FlippingFins

Duchy82 wrote: »

P.S. it felt great and at the time I ended up going 3 times a week. It's fallen by the waste side since I changed jobs as the lane swim times clash with my working hours but I wish I could go back. Still looking for a pool with suitable hours

Isn't it ridiculous how hard it is to find a pool that's actually open properly? I struggled a lot. Most 'public pools' only seem to actually have an hour of public swimming time a day, between lessons and classes.

snowflake954

Well, you've made an investment and so can't chicken out. I've been swimming 22 yrs and we see all shapes and sizes. To tell you the truth, it's the fabulous bods that get the looks--not the average person. There are lots of them where I swim, perhaps it's swimming that makes them that way (plus CICO, of course). Swimming is great exercise so enjoy yourself and just think about your workout.

kirschkuchen

You're going to feel awesome once you're in the water. Seriously.
Also: If you start right now, you get to enjoy every single lb you lose and look better each time you go. That's a great feeling.
Also: You're going to be proud of yourself. Everyone deserves that.

Lois_1989

FlippingFins wrote: »

If it helps, my thinking is always "Once I'm in the pool, I'm barely visible".

This! At 225lbs I swim 2-3 times a week and love it. I hate the walk to the poolside but once I'm in I don't care. Everyone is there for their own reason and kudos to you, you are there for exercise, just like everyone else.

Duchy82

FlippingFins wrote: »

Duchy82 wrote: »

P.S. it felt great and at the time I ended up going 3 times a week. It's fallen by the waste side since I changed jobs as the lane swim times clash with my working hours but I wish I could go back. Still looking for a pool with suitable hours

Isn't it ridiculous how hard it is to find a pool that's actually open properly? I struggled a lot. Most 'public pools' only seem to actually have an hour of public swimming time a day, between lessons and classes.

Tell me about it! The most local pool has early morning lane swims but I could only get 30min at most and that is with skipping breakfast and running around like an idiot to set off for work on time. It has one hour at a reasonable time on thu nights but this is so busy it isn't enjoyable the rest of the public swims it is half the pool and even busier with playing children. Not worth it as I can't swim at my normal pace. I hope I can find somewhere suitable.