Big Girls in Bathing Suits

cabaray

I love to swim; however, at my size I will simply not wear a bathing suit in public. I often see women my size or close to my size at the pool. Are you a big woman that wears a bathing suit in public? If so, what advice do you have for someone who just can't seem to do it?

kelfhouse

I sure do. I have one with a skirt and that makes me feel a little better. But really I don't give a crap what people think of me so I don't mind wearing it.

morgynsmama

I hate wearing them in public no matter what my size!!!

blonde71

Okay, let me preface this by saying, I have never been a bigger woman but I can kind of relate. I was formerly skinny fat for a long time. I never felt comfortable in a bathing suit. I took baby steps. I wore a racer-back style suit for a few years then a tankini when I'd lost some more body fat. Finally, working my way to where I am now. I think if you wait until you hit that "perfect size", you'll let life pass you by. I wish I'd not hid during those summer months and just not cared what others thought. I think we are our own worst enemies. No one is perfect - everyone has flaws. I say, find a suit that makes you look your best and just wear it regardless of not being at goal or whatever.

Krazy_Kat

Get a black one.
I got a racing back one, bugger to get on but I don't have any boobage malfunctions.
I also got boy leg bottoms, they made me feel better.
Once you're in the water no one sees. Also most people don't care.
I wear glasses and when I swim I can't see so well, it's weird but when I can't see people clearly, I feel like they can't see me either.

Klamber26

Personally, I doesn't bother me at all if bigger gals wear bathing suits. I hardly notice. I think everyone thinks they're being looked at when really they're not.

That being said, I've been to the beach with my brother-in-law plenty of times and he likes to play the "Hey, look! I found myself a new girlfriend" game.

saustin201

I hate wearing them, but my boys like going to the pool. I've lost 25 pounds in 4 months so I feel a bit better about wearing one, but it still makes me feel uncomfortable. I am not going to let my size determine what I can and cannot do.

1MOMOISME

I have noticed the people that notice are noticing flaws in EVERYONE! Most people don't care. I think you need to find some sort of happiness with yourself no matter what skin you are in! You are on a journey and the road is going to be long and bumpy, so take some pleasures for yourself along the way and find that peace and joy IN yourself FOR yourself...so wear it!!! I am a larger woman myself. I used to have a swim suit with a skirt. Now I wear a tankini top and a pair of women's swim shorts....I am super comfy and that is all that matters!

livinginwoods

I bought a dress suit that goes just below my butt and I wear it with a pair of biker shorts. It makes me feel more comfortable while in public.

catshark209

I wore one when I was skinny fat too. I was basically a skeleton with a belly and had saggy back. But I was out there anyway. Oh well.

fatgottago

The problem I have is I forget that I am fat!!! I will wear a black swimsuit with boy shorts swim shorts and rock it! I love the beach and water so most of the time when I am there I am having so much fun I don't even think about it TILL THE PICTURES SHOW UP LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am a big gal and I have got to stick on program. We are going to the beach next month and I would love to lose another 15 pounds.

bushidowoman

I love to swim; however, at my size I will simply not wear a bathing suit in public. I often see women my size or close to my size at the pool. Are you a big woman that wears a bathing suit in public? If so, what advice do you have for someone who just can't seem to do it?

I am not sure what your size is. I know at my heaviest size, I hated wearing a bathing suit in pubic, too. But for me, my love of swimming and wanting to play in the water with my family outweighed my discomfort. I just did it and tried to not think too much about it. Once I was in the water playing, how I looked in my bathing suit became a non-issue.
I see mamas of all sizes and shapes with their kids at the lake and pool. I never think a thing about it, except isn't it great we're all there having fun, enjoying the water and being with our families?

Kristy713ckm

I am a 24/26. I have an 11 year old son & a 2 year old daughter. They miss out on enough because of my size, and my husband's anxiety. Getting into a bathing suit so they can have fun at local pools is important. Personally, I don't recall much looking, gawking, snickering or "mooooing" happening during these swim events. I was "walking" a couple weeks ago and am pretty sure a teenager moooed and giggled at me. But, they're not going to stop me... I would only be embarrassed for my kids sake. I only had my 2 year old with me during the walk, who didn't know how awful that teen was being. My advice is to "wear it and enjoy!". But if a comment will tear you down too bad, maybe not. You gotta be thick-skinned and keep doing what's right regardless of immature people.... That's my thoughts.

WhittRak

I love wearing bathing suits. I could care less what other people think.

AlmstHvn

I was self-conscious about it, but I wore my size 30 swimsuit last summer. This summer I'm in a 22. Next summer I hope to be in a 10 or 12. Get a nice one piece (I found mine on WomanWithin.com) and a cover-up for strolling around, and then just go. Get out there, have fun with your kiddos and don't look back!

bizgirl26

I say wear them. I dont care what anyone else thinks. Confidence is HOT!!

heagler870

Nope, I don't wear bathing suits, and I won't until I lose a lot more weight. I just wear shorts and a tank usually.

Getmy1back

In my humble opinion, you deserve to be comfortable at the beach / pool (especially when it's hot) just like everybody else. I've been overweight all my life (size 24 at my heaviest, I'm a 20 now), and have always worn a bathing suit to swim. Even some of my thinner friends have come to the pool / beach with me in shorts and a t-shirt. It just seemed like way to much cloth to get wet in. In 25 years, I've never had anyone stare at me awkwardly or tell me I needed to slip on a cover-up, so my guess is: they really don't care all that much.

I would just hate for paranoia about your body to get in the way of you having a good time somewhere. "Let haters hate!", as they say.

cerdmann

I'm a lap swimmer who wears a size 22 suit! I LOVE the water and have been a swimmer all my life. I don't necessarily like how I look in a swimsuit but I'm never, ever going to give it up because of what other people might think or say! It's great exercise! I have found that Longitude suits (available at many stores and on-line) fit me best and do a great job of optimizing my assets and minimizing my "flaws". I go fo the ones with cross-back straps but that's just me. When I go to the beach I wear a pair of shorts or capris that match the color of my suit well. Until I get in the water I wear the shorts. Once I'm in the water, I just don't care! )

bubbles1212

i got a cute black tankini with a skirt. I love it. It hides my thighs and belly and makes me looks slimmer because it is black.

Sapporo

I have a black tankini with the skirt bottom as well.
I take my daughter to water babies so I had no choice as you cannot wear clothing at the pool. I hated it and still feel self conscience. So maybe I haven't gotten over it (I certainly do not go out and rock it with confidence unfortunately) but I'm working on it, this summer we're supposed to go to the beach and I'll try hard to not keep my shorts and tshirt on.

HelloSweetie4

I was never fond of wearing a bathing suit because I always felt I looked huge, but there's no way I'm swimming in clothes! Once I get in the water I feel better.

macpatti

It's funny how I was more self-conscious when I was in my 20's and a size 4 than I am now at 44 in a size 12! I guess age makes the difference in confidence. I wear a tankini now.

HellsKells

I just did it yesterday. Add to that the fact that I have no tan whatsoever and I'm sure you can imagine the sight I must be. However, as a couple other people have said....no one cares! Really! And there are lots of cute bathing suit styles out there to help minimize, if you want to go that route.

For me, the sunshine and relaxation of going to the pool is more important than my own self consciousness. I just pretend that no one's looking, because chances are, that is exactly what's happening. They're too busy with their kids or themselves to notice me. And even if they do, the chances something bad would come of that attention are next to nothing.

Get out there and enjoy yourself!

Kaathmandu

I teach swimming and water aerobics - even when I wore a size 24. You think people judge? Check out the reactions when the instructor is overweight! (And the subsequent reaction when they can't keep up with me!) But I love the water, and am good at my jobs, so I do it. What I wear depends on what I'm doing. For water aerobics, I wore bike shorts, a sports bra and a 'rashie'. Now, still got the sports bra (gotta strap 'em up and in for jumping up and down) and a neck to knee sunsuit that has a small amount of cellulite-smoothing quality. For the beach, I wear a tankini and board shorts, or flattering swimsuit and a sarong. For laps, it has to be something sleeveless. I have thigh issues, so a tankini top and bike shorts for me. And, believe me, there are lots of shapes and sizes at the pool. Be one of them! :-)

Roni_M

I too wear tankinis, but the tops got to be long enough that no belly hangs out, and since I'm tall it's a bit of a challenge to find! I was a 22 (3X) last year. This year I'll be wearing a size 16 (XL). I wear a sarong over my suit on the beach but take it off for swimming. That just leaves me feeling "exposed" for the walk from my spot on the beach to the water. I will probably always feel that way, even when I get to "skinny". LOL

foxyforce

please put on the suit and go out. i feel like if you don't you will be missing opportunities.

it will only help your weightloss to put it on.

go shopping and buy one that satisfies you, don't buy one that satisfies others.

mommy7

I'm a size 7 with a baby pooch and stretch marks. But you know what?? I feel that I look darn good for having had 7 kids and will wear that bikini regardless.

kristalfrissy

I have noticed the people that notice are noticing flaws in EVERYONE! Most people don't care. I think you need to find some sort of happiness with yourself no matter what skin you are in! You are on a journey and the road is going to be long and bumpy, so take some pleasures for yourself along the way and find that peace and joy IN yourself FOR yourself...so wear it!!! I am a larger woman myself. I used to have a swim suit with a skirt. Now I wear a tankini top and a pair of women's swim shorts....I am super comfy and that is all that matters!

I think the above is very true. Most people are NOT looking for flaws in people and the people who are are the same ones saying that Kim kardashian is fat!! Crazy talk. I went to Hurricane Harbor this weekend and saw pretty much every shape and size in bathing suits and I didn't bat an eye! I always respect people who are confident enough with themselves enough to wear what they want. I saw 2 pieces, tankinis, bikinis, shorts and t shirts, and everything in between

ETA: The ONLY person who grabbed my attention in a negative way long enough to nudge my husband and say OMG was a man who was 100% covered in long black curly hair over his entire body and was wearing a royal blue speedo!! lol but whatever. his wife seemed to adore him.

BrightEyesx3

I am a size 12 and I have two bathing suits. I have a solid black one piece that I wear around family and a two piece when I'm around friends. I do get stares when I wear my bikini because people look at my tattoos but when I catch them staring I feel like they are calling me fat and etc. But even with that going through my head, I still hold my head up high and show that I'm pround of my body, and you should do the same. Be proud of who you are and hell if you really want to, flaunt a bit, won't hurt

nightsrainfall

I hate wearing them in public no matter what my size!!!

I second this. But I would say if you (and I) must or really want to - I would go shop around and find that suit that you love and feel comfortable in. Truthfully a lot of the styles don't flatter me or if they do, I don't like their colors, the fact it has ____, so that only adds to my insecurity. I had one suit that I loved once and I never had a problem with swimming. Sadly I no longer have that suit so... I too need to go shoping. I also want to get back into swimming.

Good luck to you!