Big Girls in Bathing Suits

GrammyWhammy

I especially agree with Kaathmandu. Go swim or do water aerobics. Wear a cover-up that conceals all jiggly parts and drop it on a chair near the pool's stairs/ladders. Then slip into the pool. That's what I do! I have a fav suit that I wear with a bra (sports or otherwise), and has ample behind coverage--love the way it holds me in. To help get over the shyness of exposure, see if you can join a water aerobics class. I did that (average age was well over 50!). This group is the least critical--really. The fact that you're in the water and moving around gives you lots of credit for doing something positive for YOU! If all fails, take a friend or family member along. There's courage in numbers.

macpatti

Mine isn't really about feeling embarrassed about myself. It's me thinking no one needs to see all this!

Vailara

I think it helps to have a good bathing suit. It's worth spending the money (in my opinion). I liked the idea of the ones that come in bra sizes, but it never worked for me because of having a small band size (the rest of the swimsuit seems to be made in proportion to the band size rather than the cup size). I bought my current one by accident when I wanted to go swimming on holiday and there was only one swimsuit in my size! It was one made by a company that makes professional swimwear, and I love it: good coverage and minimal jiggle!

livinfitanfun

Just like what a lot of people are saying. Get one that YOU will feel comfortable in, believe it or not MOST people could care less. Most importantly you have to be happy with it, if you are walking around caring what other people think or what someone might say then your asking to get your feelings hurt. But not matter your size be happy with you and how you look!

Valera0466

I would hope you can get past it cause swimming is really good for you and fun too. I am a size 16 and love the water. When you are larger it is imperative that you get a good quality bra and you have to go to the higher end stores to get it. It is the same with a swim suit. A good quality suit will hold you in in all the right places. Get one with a little skirt it helps. In my experience people who go swimming are having to much fun to pay attention to anyone else. Also get a light cover up for when you are walking around. It will make you feel a little less uncomfortable.

bhug918

I see women my size wearing bikinis. I am so self conscious in a bathing suit and wonder how they are comfortable in a bikini. I just try to ignore what others may be thinking and try to enjoy the time with my son. Wish I could be more like the other women and not so insecure.

Vailara

I meant to add, I'm not a big fan of swimming, but it can be a revelation if you're very overweight. You've build up the strength to carry all that extra weight around from day to day. Once you get in the water the weight is supported but you still have that strength! I was amazed to find when I went swimming around a time that I seemed to get breathless doing anything, I could easily swim a breadth underwater. I don't like actual swimming, but playing around in the water feels great! I like the feeling of not having to carry the weight or worry about my knees hurting, and just be able to do somersaults and acrobatics in the water.

Another thing if you're very overweight - and I'm serious - is that you seem to float better in the water. I can lie on my back in water now and almost go to sleep, as my face is held out of the water in a way that it wasn't when I was slimmer. It's very calming and relaxing.

torygirl79

I'm overweight and have a skin disease which is really noticeable in a swimming costume. Does this put me off swimming? Absolutely not! And I can swim a lot longer and further than most of the skinny girls at my gym who do 5-10 minutes max

becoming_a_new_me

I wear a racing style suit (black with pink stripes) and wear a pair of spandex capri-pants with it. I'm not ashamed, and no one points and laughs. Most people don't pay any attention at all...just enjoy yourself.

witchywillow

ive notice that some bigger woman tend to wear mens swimming shorts over there costumes, for more comfort

Pebble321

I used to be bigger but I neve stopped wearing bathers or going to the beach.

My theory is that if someone else doesn't like the sight of me enjoying myself and getting fitter at the pool or the beach - then that is their issue and I'm not going to make it mine.

I STARTED wearing a bikini when I was a size 16 (Aussie) and have bought many size 16 and 18 bikinis over the years.
I suggest that you do what the European women do - get out and enjoy the sun regardless of size. Just make sure you don't forget your shirt, sunscreen and a hat - slip, slop, slap as we would say in Australia.

Having said all that - if you want to cover up a little more you could get a swimsuit with a skirt or a pair of knee length board shorts and a rash vest - you'd still look beachy but might feel more relaxed.

Marycandoit

I am short and fat and wear a size 18 swim but in the water I can exercise without pain so yes I wear a suit. I live a country where everyone is thin - not so much because they eat healthy but because they have a fast metabolism. If I want to lose weight, I need to exercise so I will swim in public even if I am not happy with how I look as I need the exercise.

Pebble321

Mine isn't really about feeling embarrassed about myself. It's me thinking no one needs to see all this!

I've come to the conclusion that most people are really quite self-absorbed and don't actually pay very much attention to what anyone else is wearing or doing!

Josie_lifting_cats

I always find something modest and wear it, because I figure that someday on my death bed I probably won't think "I wish I wouldn't have worn that swimsuit in public" and would more likely think "I wish I would have just put on a swimsuit and played with the kids in the water."

My husband is of the opposite mentality. It's like pulling teeth to get him to put a swimsuit on. I don't get it. Don't you want to enjoy the kids while they are little and still want to hang out with you? Do you think the kids care what your swimsuit looks like? Not so much. At least not at age 2 and 3!

atjays

I say rock whatever you're comfortable wearing. I've seen bigger girls in bikini's and think it's just as sexy as some scrawny girl in one. At the very least you fill it out better!

anels449

For me it's just easier wearing a tank top and spandex shorts swimming than an actual swimming suit. I use to wear bikinis and refuse to wear anything but (even though I look horrible in them now haha!) so I wear something over it and jump in. I also prefer going swimming during off times so there aren't as many people there that I have to be self conscious for haha!

markyp33

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! )

Is this related to lap dancing ? Am I missing out on something?? ;-)

Seriously all, from the male perspective - sod them all. I often see bigger women in bathing costumes and I don't look twice or give it a second thought (unless thy are fit of course, but that goes for all women!). In this world where there is a lot of overweight people and obesity it is becoming more common place to see this. I am overweight and men get self conscious too (I know it's worse for a woman), but I wouldn't go so far as to let it rule my life. Go for it, with pride.


PS. I wear a Mankini and a Niqab - perfect combo

k2charmed4u

I'm 256lbs (size 18-20) and I wear a normal bathing suit when I go swimming (infact I have 5 different ones lol a dark blue racing one with yellow edging, a black tummy tuck one, an indian patterned one which ties behind the neck, this one is beautiful and my fav! an animal print (husbands choice lol) and a black and dark pink petal pattern). I love swimming and I'm there to enjoy it and lose weight. I don't care what other people think. I go with my husband and love it! Why not go with a friend as you can chat to them and it makes you forget everyone else.

Squeezalsize10

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.

Thats so me..lol.

sarahmoo12

try not to let it bother you!! Its a great way to lose weight and just keep thinking there is always some1 bigger out there that can do it so go for it !! Just keep swimming, just keep swimming

christabeltoria

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! :-)

This lady has it figured out! The way I look at it is, get out there and enjoy the water. Swimming burns calories!

sunnie326

I am extremely self conscious about wearing a bathing suit, but I refuse to let my boys suffer because of my insecurities. I just grin and bear it until I get to the water and then I am fine once I am in. The things mothers do for their babies. Of course, I think the love of our babies helps push us outside of our comfort zones and gives us opportunities to enjoy life more than we would without them.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

JanetLM73

I'm having such a hard time with this right now. I'm going away in 2 week, and it's just with family to a private cottage, I need to buy a bathing suite. I'm extremely self conscious, and would get the hubby to go into the lake with the kids every year, but I feel like I'm missing out on memories with my children, so I'm going to buy one, I'll be stressed the whole time I'm shopping for it. But I don't want to miss out on anymore fun with them.

dakitten2

I was always aware that I was probably the biggest one in the pool and at the beach at a size 26W but my love of water made me go anyways!

In October 2011 w Then I started this journey, I walked into the YMCA and signed up to take acquatic classes. I saw a few looks, my immediate thought was, get a good look now, because in a couple of years you are going to be looking at me for a different reason. From October to May I went from a size 26W to a size 16W. Now I'm a size 14. Actually got a new one delivered yesterday. And hopefully by next year I'll be a size 8/10 which is sorta the range I want to be in.

I have always ordered my plus size suits and now my regular size suits from http://www.swimsuitsforall.com/. My favorite brand is Longitude by Robby Len.

And as my Gramma would say, if they are talking about you, at least they are leaving someone else alone for the moment. Do put that suit on, enjoy TODAY and EVERY day with your children. And stick with your journey and watch the rewards you reap!

manderson27

I go to aqua aerobics and there are a lot of very large ladies there, I understand how it feels as I used to be a UK size 22 now an 18 and heading down.

I was moaning about this a while ago to a lady at the aqua class and she said "what you need to remember is your size is only important to strangers for about 30 seconds. It is only because it is so important to you that you think it is important to everyone else"

This made me realise that it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks of you and I stopped caring and hey now even though I am still large I am getting there and one day I will be out there in a bikini.

So go for your swim and enjoy it. Sod everyone else. :flowerforyou:

HunterKiller_wechange

try not to let it bother you!! Its a great way to lose weight and just keep thinking there is always some1 bigger out there that can do it so go for it !! Just keep swimming, just keep swimming

I agree with this. I used to hate going swimming and showing off my beer gut but swimming is great exercise and you need to weigh up the pros v cons. Don't go because of what you look like or go because of what you CAN acheive?!

cabaray

Some really good advice here. My main hang up is my arms. I wouldn't mind showing the rest too much, but I hate my arms. Looks like I just need to get over it and get out there!

musicjunkay

I hear ya, it can be hard but you know what.... everyone is worried about how THEY look they really don't pay much attention to everyone else around them. Think about it. Be confident and rock that bathing suit like it was made for your gorgeous bod!

tuiccim

I'm a size 28 and I wear a really cute swim dress I got from One Stop Plus. It shows my legs, but honestly, you can tell I am fat with clothes on. Is it that a big of a shock, that I am still fat in a suit? lol. I just don't care. If I'm with friends or family, they love me regardless. If I'm in the general public, I just walk around like I own the place and people can think what they want.

This is mine. In Indigo.
http://www.onestopplus.com/clothing/2piece-swimdress-by-Swim-365.aspx?PfId=237489&DeptId=22619&ProductTypeId=1