I have a confession.. -shameface-

takehimaway

I can't swim.
Well, I am not confident in my swimming abilities, nor am I confident in the way my body looks wearing a bathing suit.
But, I really wanna swim.
So, what now?

AZackery

You don't have to wear a bathing suit to swim. Buy you some swim shorts and wear a t-shirt.. If you want to get better at swimming, take swimming lessons again. It'll never hurt to up your swimming level.

manda1002

I can't swim either, but that doesn't keep me out of the water. I wear a maternity bathing suit top (because they fit SO MUCH BETTER for big girls, imo) and just a pair of shorts. Just being in the water in general is an amazing work out. We snorkel and the calories burned snorkeling is crazy!

groovyfirechick

I usually wear a tank top and shorts when I go swimming. I don't like what I look like in a bathing suit.

flopsy1973

I know how you feel. I can swim but i haven't been for years. I want to go again but i am a bit self conscious about all my saggy bits (after losing almost 7 stone)

blueeyedcristi

We're headed for vacation in Hawaii in less than a month. Will I look as good as I did the last time we were there ('09)? No. But I'm not going to let my weight get in the way of my vacation/escape. I'm going to relax and enjoy myself.

Looks like some great recommendations for you so far. I'll add that you should take some swimming lessons.

PennyNickel14

there are really cute women's board shorts that you wear with a bathing suit. They provide downstairs coverage. Also, gave the confidence to get in the pool and feel AWESOME. Also they are cute and people compliment me on them all the time. Many styles and lengths available on amazon

jaabee11

I did deep water aerobics a couple of weeks ago and was so surprised to see a lady in the class who told me she doesn't swim. She was wearing a flotation belt ( supplied by the pool) and kept close to the edge but she loves the class and goes regularly. It was great to see her not let her inability to swim keep her from getting in and having a go. She said the belt made her feel safe and the instructor was right there;, she knew the lady couldn't swim.
As for your attire, I always wear boardies over my bather, no one is seeing these legs.
Go for it, enjoy.

takehimaway

Az, kinda embarassed to get swimming lessons period, "Uh, yeah, I'm twenty-two, and I need swimming lessons, because I don't know how to swim.." Yeah, I'm scared they're gonna laugh at me. I'll probably check Walmart for some trunks or something, and just wear a binder ontop.

Manda, I'll definately go try to check that out; I mean, I want to learn to swim, so this is something new and fun.

GFC, yeah, I'm thinking that's probably the way to go right now.

Flopsy, I mean, I can swim a little bit, but if I fell off a boat, I'd be a goner! Yeah, am nervous, do not like the way my body looks.

BEC, That's a good idea; I need to just relax, because sometimes I wig myself out. I'm gonna go look at swimming lessons now. I wonder how much they cost..

manda1002

We're headed for vacation in Hawaii in less than a month. Will I look as good as I did the last time we were there ('09)? No. But I'm not going to let my weight get in the way of my vacation/escape. I'm going to relax and enjoy myself.

Looks like some great recommendations for you so far. I'll add that you should take some swimming lessons.

Hahaha I live in Hawaii, and trust me, I'm a big girl, but there are bigger girls than me wearing 2 piece bikinis on the beach. Power to them for being able to do it. I would be buried under the sand the whole time lol! I hope you have a FANTASTIC time!

takehimaway

AJ, I try not to wear women's clothes, as I'm in process of flipping back and forth from transitioning to male, or just living a butch life. I'll go check Amazon right now.

JB, what are deep water aerobics? I could definately try something; I won a year long gym membership, so it is a possibility for sure. I have a great tattoo on my leg, which I love to show off, but my legs are kinda gross looking. Thanks, doll.

takehimaway

We're headed for vacation in Hawaii in less than a month. Will I look as good as I did the last time we were there ('09)? No. But I'm not going to let my weight get in the way of my vacation/escape. I'm going to relax and enjoy myself.

Looks like some great recommendations for you so far. I'll add that you should take some swimming lessons.

Hahaha I live in Hawaii, and trust me, I'm a big girl, but there are bigger girls than me wearing 2 piece bikinis on the beach. Power to them for being able to do it. I would be buried under the sand the whole time lol! I hope you have a FANTASTIC time!

I'm too scared to even fly to Hawaii! I was talking to my therapist yesterday about swimming, and she said that if I wanted to stay local [PDX/VAN], I could do so, if I just went over to the other side of town, to play in the lakes and stuff, seriously thinking about it.

jaabee11

Check with your pool/gym for the different types of water aerobics, they are great for a calorie burn. The deep water one is just that, it is exercising in water over your head and a lot of people in the class wear the flotation belt whether they can swim or not.
There are other water aerobics in shallower water, you can still wear a device if you want, some do.
Talk to them , get some swimming lessons and do some water activities to boost your confidence.
Go for it.

PennyNickel14

AJ, I try not to wear women's clothes, as I'm in process of flipping back and forth from transitioning to male, or just living a butch life. I'll go check Amazon right now.

JB, what are deep water aerobics? I could definately try something; I won a year long gym membership, so it is a possibility for sure. I have a great tattoo on my leg, which I love to show off, but my legs are kinda gross looking. Thanks, doll.

During transition there are men's board shorts and shirts called "rash guards or sun guards" that are available in men's cuts. (amazon or speedo or nike swim)

Musikelektronik

I'm 44 and I can't swim, either. No biggie. There are worse things in life.

1kerriberri

thats right, bugga the bathing suit, just get some swim shorts and a shirt and before you learn to swim , the most important thing to do is get in, get wet, splash around and have some FUN xx Its all about building confidence. go with a friend who will make you feel safe.

jadedone

Take lessons! No tips for you on the bathing suits though. I would have told you to go for a cute one piece, but that doens't fit your style.

It is never too late. My sister took lessons at 29. My parents are still avoiding it like the plague.

Grab some swim shorts/trunks and a tank and get out there! A good friend of mine teaches water aerobics and has a blast taking recommendations for music. He started teaching it about a year ago, and it is a new found passion for him.

Chinajane

You might try a local Jr college, sometimes they have swimming lessons as an exercise class and a semester's tuition for such a class usually isn't too much.

janessac

I'm a lifeguard/swimming instructor and I teach adult swim lessons. I have people from age 17-70 who want to learn to swim but simply never learned or had the opportunity. There's no shame and the lessons are very fun and non-judgmental, it's never too late to learn something new! Ask you local pool about adult swim lessons (which often take place after public swim so that the lessons are more private, therefore making it more comfortable). Give it a try, it's so fun and a great workout!

takehimaway

JB, yeah, I'm thinking I need a floatation device!! I'll definately be checking out the gym soon!

AJ, I suppose I'll have to go shopping soon; it's almost summer!

A, of course there are worse things in life, but I still feel ashamed.

KB, that's what I may do; my [former/current/who knows] girlfriend was a lifeguard for sometime, and she said she'd teach me before we split, but we're talking again, so I hope she can.

J, I'm going to do so. Thanks. http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-05-01-swimming-minorities_N.htm Have you read this, re :: your parents? I think that is so interesting to think about it. Can you swim? It is never too late, and I think I shall be okay. I suppose I'm going to see what 24 Hour Fitness has to offer, when I finally get my paperwork; I won a year membership, and am just waiting on the details. I could do water aerobics, me thinks, so this is going to be exciting.

CJ, I could see; there is one closer to my house, and see what they want from me. Thanks for the tip; I hadn't thought of it.

takehimaway

J, really? This is good and comforting to hear. Thanks, I'm excited.

So, speaking with not-girlfriend...

Me
12:54 AM Can you still teach me to swim?
Harmony
12:54 AM I would love to

So, I'm going to learn to swim!

ejohndrow

Az, kinda embarassed to get swimming lessons period, "Uh, yeah, I'm twenty-two, and I need swimming lessons, because I don't know how to swim.." Yeah, I'm scared they're gonna laugh at me.

You'd be surprised at the amount of people who join the Navy and can't swim. Lessons are there to help you learn (if you want to that is) and who cares what people think, if you like to do it, then do it. And personally I just wear a swimsuit with PT shorts and a t-shirt over.

Elizabeth_C34

I think it's awesome that you're going to learn. Swimming is a lot of fun and one of those really important life skills that sadly gets ignored. It'll open up a whole new world to you. Now you can snorkel, go boating comfortably, swim in the ocean, all kinds of neat stuff.

takehimaway

EJD, my twin sister and I made a deal, that if she'd join the Navy, I'd join the Coast Guard, still waiting on her go! -laughs- Yes, this is true. I'm hoping whatever pool I go to will let me wear what I want. I live in a liberal place, so I'm hoping it goes well.

E, yeah, this is true.. I'm kinda scared of boating, but I've swam in the ocean; both of them that boarder the US! I even had a pool growing up, but I'm just not confident in my swimming abilities. I'm excited!

AZackery

Az, kinda embarassed to get swimming lessons period, "Uh, yeah, I'm twenty-two, and I need swimming lessons, because I don't know how to swim.." Yeah, I'm scared they're gonna laugh at me. I'll probably check Walmart for some trunks or something, and just wear a binder ontop.

Weepingwillow, swimming lessons are for all ages. I was in my late twenties, when I took swimming lessons and I still need more lessons. Hopefully, I will get back to it in the summer this year or maybe next year.

Only immature people will laugh at you for getting swimming lessons for the first time at your age. Trust me, your swimming lesson class will have people of different ages. My class had women older than me and a couple of girls younger than me. I was the only one that stuck with the class.

lacroyx

Az, kinda embarassed to get swimming lessons period, "Uh, yeah, I'm twenty-two, and I need swimming lessons, because I don't know how to swim.." Yeah, I'm scared they're gonna laugh at me. I'll probably check Walmart for some trunks or something, and just wear a binder ontop.

Manda, I'll definately go try to check that out; I mean, I want to learn to swim, so this is something new and fun.

GFC, yeah, I'm thinking that's probably the way to go right now.

Flopsy, I mean, I can swim a little bit, but if I fell off a boat, I'd be a goner! Yeah, am nervous, do not like the way my body looks.

BEC, That's a good idea; I need to just relax, because sometimes I wig myself out. I'm gonna go look at swimming lessons now. I wonder how much they cost..

pssh don't feel bad. I'm 31 and still learning to ride a bicycle. also I didn't really learn to swim till I was 19.

GretelPetal91

Everyone has insecurities about going to the beach. when I was 18 years old and 47kg (103lb) I wore a singlet and shorts to the beach because I didn't feel I was fit for the beach and I wore pants during the summer instead of shorts and dresses because I thought I didn't look as nice as the other girls.
Since gaining weight I have realised that those insecurities were completely pointless and I have more confidence at the beach now than I did back then.
This may sound bad, but go to the beach and judge other women. do you think they look good in what they are wearing? are they the same size as you? If you like what you see then do the same thing! You will most likely realise that the "plus sized" women you see at the beach actually look so nice and confident in what they are wearing, even if they don't think so.

Elizabeth_C34

EJD, my twin sister and I made a deal, that if she'd join the Navy, I'd join the Coast Guard, still waiting on her go! -laughs- Yes, this is true. I'm hoping whatever pool I go to will let me wear what I want. I live in a liberal place, so I'm hoping it goes well.

E, yeah, this is true.. I'm kinda scared of boating, but I've swam in the ocean; both of them that boarder the US! I even had a pool growing up, but I'm just not confident in my swimming abilities. I'm excited!

You've got nothing to worry about. Once you learn the basics, it's not hard at all and so much fun.

Don't be embarassed about taking lessons as an adult. No need to be. Just learn as much as you can. Fear not!

anniebanani

Az, kinda embarassed to get swimming lessons period, "Uh, yeah, I'm twenty-two, and I need swimming lessons, because I don't know how to swim.." Yeah, I'm scared they're gonna laugh at me. I'll probably check Walmart for some trunks or something, and just wear a binder ontop.

My mum was 60 years old when she learned to swim, don't be embarrassed loads of folk can't swim x

TourThePast

AJ, I try not to wear women's clothes, as I'm in process of flipping back and forth from transitioning to male, or just living a butch life. I'll go check Amazon right now.

JB, what are deep water aerobics? I could definately try something; I won a year long gym membership, so it is a possibility for sure. I have a great tattoo on my leg, which I love to show off, but my legs are kinda gross looking. Thanks, doll.

During transition there are men's board shorts and shirts called "rash guards or sun guards" that are available in men's cuts. (amazon or speedo or nike swim)

I snorkel a lot, for my last trip to the Red Sea I bought some long sleeved rash vests and leggings made from swimsuit material, which are something like SPF 30. Bonus is that if the water's cold, they make it really easy to slip a wetsuit on.

EDIT!! LOL Just realised I'm wearing one in my profile pic, under my shortie wetsuit :facepalm: :bigsmile:

takehimaway

Az, this is true; I definately need some. I'm scared, but it looks like not-girlfriend is willing to teach me, which means she's willing to go with me. I almost drowned three different times in my life - once at some work party for my parents, once alone in my own backyard, because THE DOG DECIDED I WAS A RAFT, and one less than a year ago when I STUPIDLY DECIDED TO GO INTERTUBING, AND NOT TELL ANYONE I COULDN'T SWIM! So, water kinda freaks me out. Yeah, this is true; I'm hoping it will go well.

L, I am not confident in my bike riding abilities either, and I live in one of the most biking friendly cities in the nation!

A, the beach is soooooo far, but I feel like I dream of it every single night. My parents live on the beach, and they are so happy. Oh yeah, this is something that's been discussed; I wish I was nearly as confident as those ladies. Bam! Here I am; take me or leave me, ya know?

E, I hoping things will go smoothly. I think that's one of the main things we're supposed to do in life is learn, so I feel less ashamed now.

A, I hope my children will never have to say that about me. Thanks.

TTP, I think snorkeling would be really cool; definately something I'd be willing to try. Great Barrier Reef; here I come! [Once I get passed my fear of flying that is.. LOL!] That does sound like a good idea. Oooh, it looks good. Want!