Worried about getting in a swimming costume

Chezzie84

Driving home from work today I had a great idea. I was going to drop in at my Local leisure centre and join.
When I got there, the receptionist ran the options by me. The bells and whistles, all singing, all dancing gym, classes, swimming membership or just the pool.

Now I find the gym boring, I tried it ages ago and decided it wasn't for me. Work commitments mean I won't always get back to my town for specific time to do a class regularly. So I picked the swimming option.

I was so full of motivation and renewed hope that I can get past the rut I am in. That now my wallet is £25 down, its my bodies turn.

Then I tried on my swimsuit, it fits but I feel horrible and worried sick about going to the pool Sunday.
I feel like the moment, I get in the water some kind soul will call Green Peace to get me back into the sea.

hearthwood

You know 99% of women regardless of their size or shape feel the same as you when they put on a bathing suit. Ignore it, jump into that pool and have fun.

CindyMarcuzAdams

Good for you for joining in the first place. I know once you get there and start swimming it will be ok. Maybe go shopping for a nice new flattering suit.

MoveitlikeManda

For 3 weeks now iv been saying im going to start swimming once a week (on top of 4 gym sessions) but after trying on my swimming suit (firts time in about 4 years) i just wanted to cry, it fits, thats not the problem, I just cant bare the thought of walking from the changing room to the water.

I did take my 15month old daughter Swimming on tuesday BUT we didnt actually swim, just played in the baby pool and i wore shorts and a vest top, which i wouldnt be able to wear whilst actually swimming.

I think me and you both need to just bite the bullet and do it.
nobody is gonna be watching us, nobody will care.

so do it for you

xx

girlinahat

You know 99% of women regardless of their size or shape feel the same as you when they put on a bathing suit. Ignore it, jump into that pool and have fun.

^^^ this.

Do it.

girlwithcurls2

And... you'll probably be surprised at how many people, men and women, are there who are heavy as well. Swimming is a great activity if your joints can't manage a lot of weight bearing, so all shapes and sizes of people turn up at the pool. In any case, you've paid the money, make use of it!

sarahbear1981

I'm a big girl and I love to go swimming. The thing is I am not there for anyone but me. I don't care what other people think about how I look in my bathing suit. Besides, I always think that even if people are looking at me and going eww gross why is she in a swimsuit; my mental response can be well at least I'm not sitting on my couch chowing down on chips or something. I am doing something about it! When I go to the pool I am not even the largest person there most times. Judging by your pic, you are way smaller than me, so don't worry about it. Go swim and get healthy!! You'll see that pretty soon you will feel more confident because you are working hard and you won't care because swimming feels so amazing!

redsk

Amazing advice.

earlnabby

Yup, that was me back in March. All I can say is just go. There will be people of all sizes and shapes at the pool. Mine even has people coming to the pool with walkers and getting in and swimming around while sitting on a noodle since they really can't use their legs for much.

Getting in the water has been the best thing for me, exercise wise and I am glad I did it. You will be too.

La5Vega5Girl

I see ALOT of extremely obese people in the pool and I never think anything of it. (not saying you are obese) no one stares. no one makes a deal of it. swimming is AWESOME for the joints and great exercise. don't be too hard on yourself. one day, that swimsuit will be TOO LARGE!

La5Vega5Girl

Besides, I always think that even if people are looking at me and going eww gross why is she in a swimsuit; my mental response can be well at least I'm not sitting on my couch chowing down on chips or something. I am doing something about it!

I love this advice! excellent!!!

Chezzie84

Thanks all. Sorry for the delayed response, timezone differences and all that.
Makes me feel better to hear all your comments. I will be going Sunday without a doubt ????

Juliarosemary66

I just love swimming, it gives me a great feeling of well-being! When I started going at a much heavier weight than I am now I felt just the same as you- very self conscious- but now I feel toned and fit. I set myself challenges to swim more lengths each time I went and then to improve my speed/technique- so now I feel like I am a good swimmer! Focus on the positives and feel proud of yourself when you've been for the first time! The more you go the more confident you will feel!

manda20142014

I have swim fit membership at my local pool and am about to start using regularly from today......

My old swimsuits are getting out of shape, next have loads 50 per cent off right now in their clearance section so I have two more arriving tomorrow.

Don't let anything stop you getting in that pool Sunday. X I will be going Sunday too!

TavistockToad

noone wil care!

CyberEd312

I started out with a 78 inch. waist at 560 lbs. pretty much unable to walk. I was written a script by my doctor to do aquatic therapy to use water displacement to allow me to stand long enough to start exercising. I literally would walk from the shallows in the pool when i started before I ever swam. The last place in the world after being homebound for over 2 years was in a public 8 lane lap pool at the local YMCA where all eyes can be upon me. But I had to move past that mindset or die, it really was getting down to only those 2 options. So I bet on me, and choose to live and no matter how hard I thought in my head it was going to be I would just do it and to hell with the rest..... If you want to better yourself, if you are tired of the same ole habits and routines, then you are going to have to step out of your comfort zone and do something you don't like too if you ever want to get to that point where you feel better about yourself..... Best of Luck

JuliRamone

Not many people know this, but most swimsuits come with a huge extra set of "feeling like a whale".

No, seriously - don't worry! Probably all of us feel the same - and yet, probably noone will care.

Katleskin

I swim 4x a week now but until about 8 years ago I hadn't been in the water since I was a pre-teen, mainly due to being overly body conscious. What helped me starting off was going to the 'ladies only' session - do you know if there's one at your pool? OK, so there are still other people there (oh, for a pool of my own!) but there are *all* shapes and sizes on display and it helped me gain confidence. Once it sunk in that no-one gave a monkeys what I looked like and that there were people there that looked a lot 'worse' than me (I know that sounds shallow but there it is), I added more sessions. Honestly, don't worry, if you want to swim, just dive in. You've got nothing to lose (apart from lbs!) :-) .

Chezzie84

Thanks all.
I feel a lot better :flowerforyou:

It was never really about what others thought, it was about what I thought about me.
But I wont let it stop me.

DawnieB1977

Driving home from work today I had a great idea. I was going to drop in at my Local leisure centre and join.
When I got there, the receptionist ran the options by me. The bells and whistles, all singing, all dancing gym, classes, swimming membership or just the pool.

Now I find the gym boring, I tried it ages ago and decided it wasn't for me. Work commitments mean I won't always get back to my town for specific time to do a class regularly. So I picked the swimming option.

I was so full of motivation and renewed hope that I can get past the rut I am in. That now my wallet is £25 down, its my bodies turn.

Then I tried on my swimsuit, it fits but I feel horrible and worried sick about going to the pool Sunday.
I feel like the moment, I get in the water some kind soul will call Green Peace to get me back into the sea.

Lol. I went swimming at 35 weeks pregnant and was worried about the beached whale thing.

The worst thing is getting from the changing room to the pool. I'm a teacher and my biggest fear if I go swimming is that one of my pupils will be there and see me in my swimsuit!

I want to take my 4 month old swimming and am trying to find the courage to do so. Before I had my baby (my 3rd) I was a size 10/12 and wore a bikini to the pool. Sigh.

markrichtsspraytan

The only time I notice what other gym-goes are wearing is if it's 1. offensive in some way 2. inside out 3. Some apparel from my hometown/undergrad school.

If you're not wearing a neon thong banana hammock, nobody is going to pay any mind. Unless it's inside out and they go to tell you. Or they really like your swimsuit and ask where you bought it.

bkthandler

Maybe it is the long term exposure to chlorine but swimmer don't notice anything....a guy I work with swims almost everyday and a woman I work with was always joking about him wearing a speedo...non swimmers get the giggles about men wearing speedos...swimmers don't get it because we can't figure out what else he would wear.

My point (and I think I have one) is swimmers don't care. Put on your suit and get in the pool and you too won't care....you will just love how it makes you feel.

The very few shallow gym goes who would comment about someone won't get in a pool because after a few laps everyone looks like a drowned cat.

jemhh

This thread hits home for me. We are going on vacation in a couple of months and I am freaking out a bit about the swimsuit part. Logically, I know it's not a big deal and I know that once I'm in the pool my body isn't really visible anyway. But, illogically (!), I'm uncomfortable with it. So I get where you're coming from, OP. I'm glad you're not letting this stop you. Have fun at the pool!

sherambler

I recently started swimming again and had the same worries. Many pools/gyms track attendence by the hour for marketing purposes. You could always check with them and see when the least amount of people go and then go at that time to slowly build confidence. Also, at my pool, many older people go very early in the morning and I felt more comfortable initially swimming at that time, then slowly eased myself into the busier times. They tended to be less judgmental of my body and were much friendlier.

Honestly, some people may stare, but I always try to remind myself that I'm doing this for me and that I have just as much of a right to try to get healthy as they do. F-them, you know? Once my head is down in the water and I'm monitoring my breathing, they totally fall out of view. The chances of me running into these people again are slim. It also pushes me to be the fat girl that's swimming faster than all of them. :happy: Was this confidence instantaneous? No. Am I normally a confident person? Not in the slightest. Did it take a long time to build it up? Yes.

Though I couldn't really afford it, I splurged on a new swimsuit that I loved, felt confident wearing and that was cut in a way that most flattered my body. I considered it an investment in me. Without the confidence I was less likely to go to the pool, which was a bigger waste of money than buying a new suit.

SarcasmIsMyLoveLanguage

Even when I was thin and fit, I felt like crap in a bathing suit. I swear some jerk invented bathing suits for the sole purpose of making women feel like crap.

In any event, I can tell you that I've had this conversation with many friends and the overwhelming theme is that, regardless of size or ability, most people will admire you for getting in the pool and taking control of your health. Very few people would judge you, and those that would don't deserve a moment of your thought. Enjoy swimming, it's a safe and effective way to burn calories and get fit.

earlnabby

I see ALOT of extremely obese people in the pool and I never think anything of it. (not saying you are obese) no one stares. no one makes a deal of it. swimming is AWESOME for the joints and great exercise. don't be too hard on yourself. one day, that swimsuit will be TOO LARGE!

That was one of my first NSV's. The day I had to buy a smaller swimsuit was wonderful!

csec6pak

I take my daughter to swimming lessons every week at our rec center, and there is an adult "aqua aerobics" class at the same time. There is not a woman in that class under 200 pounds. They all seem to be having a great time socializing and "aquasizing" to the Beatles.

I promise you won't be the biggest person there.

Go_Mizzou99

noone wil care!

+1

MoveitlikeManda

So looks like I might be a Sunday swimmer this week too.

my friend who I usually go to the gym with (sundays, tuesday, wednesday and fridays) text me yesterday saying she was not going the gym yesterday as is having her dog put to sleep today, so last night I went with my husband instead.
She also said I dont know i will be on sunday so probably wont be going then either.

so Iv decided that if she texts to say defo not doing gym tomorrow IM GONNA GO SWIMMING INSTEAD

(I could go gym on my own but on a sunday getting the bus would take me longer than the time id be in the gym where as i can walk (10mins) to my local pool)

when i was just considering this as an option I thought it was a good idea, since telling my husband thats my plan of action, i feel sick at the thought of going BUT if im not going to the gym I will not be just sat at home doing nothing I WILL GO SWIMMING

now im hoping she texts to say is going to the gym and will be picking me up :laugh:

Wenchiness

The other people at the pool came to work out, not to gawk at you. People who think they are miraculously slimmer in street clothes are wrong. You are the size you are and people see that regardless of what you are wearing. Jump into the swimwear, strut yourself over to the water proudly knowing that in a relatively short time you will be smaller, and people who are not doing what you do, will not be! You go!

Lottiotta

Even when I was thin and fit, I felt like crap in a bathing suit. I swear some jerk invented bathing suits for the sole purpose of making women feel like crap.

This! I'm more comfortable naked in front of loads of people than I am in a swimsuit.