Too embarrased to go swimming

Whiskybelly

I used to love going swimming when I was a kid to the point where I joined a junior lifesaving club for about 4 years, just to have another excuse to go swimming. But I haven't been in a pool (or the sea) for over five years.

I'm just a waxed matress squeezed into a shopping bag.

I keep psyching myself up to go and have found myself on two occasions recently at the main entrance, just unable to walk in. I just can't seem to man up and get in my trunks! It's stupid because I know that I'll be much better off in the pool and adding something to the routine I've got at the moment which is becoming stale (running, cross trainer and free weights).

Has anyone had this feeling recently?

andie2013

Same here, I'd love to go swimming as I was very good at it when I was a kid. But, I'm just so self-conscious of my weight and size.

swest222

I started that way and then thought I'd go to the early Sat morning swim, when all the "cool kids" are still sleeping at home because they were out late all night - the only people there were very elderly dedicated people ...it helped me EASE into it and now Im fine

Wuggums

I grew up spending every summer day at the lake from the 7:00am until 7:00pm - only coming out of the water when the lifeguard forced me too. When I gained a lot of weight, I stayed out of the water for years out of sheer embarrassment. Now, even though I still look horrendous in a swim suit, I don't give a damn. I love to swim, it is great exercise and I really don't give a crap what anyone else thinks of me. Maybe they'll giggle a bit behind my back, but at least I'm out there swimming and not sitting on the couch!! Go for it!! Put on those trunks and jump in!!

lacroyx

I go to my local YMCA pool and swim about 2x a week. I used to feel that way until I saw some of the other folks even bigger than me in the pool. If they can then I can.

woodsygirl

Don't be embarrassed, be proud that you are able to swim! When you go to a pool, beach, lake whatever look around. There are people of all sizes and they are perfectly happy. If you don't make a big deal of it (tugginng at your swim suit, hunched over, etc) people will just glance over and not even care. Go enjoy something that makes you happy!

deadbeatsummer

You just need to confront your fear... Perhaps if the first time you went back into the pool, it was in a more intimate or nicer setting than the local pool..
I don't know if you have a significant other or somebody that you could maybe book a spa day with or somewhere nice for the day with a pool. Or go to one of the more upmarket gyms on a day pass to try their pools just so that you will feel that it is more of a treat (and also you wont be seeing these people on a regular basis)

Once you have the confidence you might be ok.

umer76

Yeah I have this issue too. I used to go few years back regularly but now my hairy back & chest is stopping me!!! Should this be an issue guys?

LifeChangingExp8512

Think of how fkn awesome u will feel when you are looking and feeling more fabulous from swimming... I say go for it. Dont over think it. JUST DO IT!

helyg

I don't know what your local pool is like, but mine is full of people who wouldn't get any further than me in a beautiful body contest! People of all ages and all shapes and sizes. You might be surprised.

jennibee70

I'm constantly embarassed until I get my body under the water, but I bet if you take a deep breath and make it through the door the first time, that it'll be much easier the second time. Does your pool do an early morning session when hardly anyone goes? Or an aqua-aerobics session? Anything to ease taking that first plunge.

hiddenaudacity

Hmm. It's hard to say for a guy, but as a female I just wear a full piece speedo swimsuit (I find it actually pulls my fat in making me look a bit thinner) and slip my shorts off at nearby bench, then quickly run into the pool before anybody sees me. I find that most people wont pay any attention to me anyway and are too busy concentrating on their swimming.

dirtydmvkid

The toughest part is the 30 second walk from the locker rooms to the pool. Once you are in the water the only thing people will see is the furious splashing. You'll feel much better once you have gone a few laps. It's a mind game. You can do this! Your pride may scream against it, but your body will thank you after you finish the workout.

sjchrist

I have the same problem but not with swimming. Mine is the gym - im terrified of them as feel i would get laughed at. My work even has a small one so i wouldn't have to pay but i know it would spread round like wild fire that 'fatty sue' was using the gym and they would all giggle.

SophieC19

I was the same because of my weight, but I bought a swimming outfit to cover most things up! (Top and shorts) So I try to go once a week now
I'd say definately go, once your in the water you'll feel fine i'm sure If its your weight stopping you going, just think most people (including myself) will think good on you for going and working hard to lose weight when they see you swimming
I hope you can get yourself to go :flowerforyou: and hope my post helped abit

laserturkey

I ordered a "modest" swimsuit online that had long sleeves and capri leggings made from swimsuit material. (of course that might look silly on a guy)

How about wearing one of those shirts that surfers sometimes wear, or just a plain old white t-shirt? Once you get into the water, you'll feel great and then maybe the next time you'll decide you can skip the shirt.

saustin201

I swim about 40 minutes of laps several times per week. I don't know where you live, but I live in a *very* small town in rural Southern MN. I swim with people who are just like me, slightly overweight and either swim to get in shape or get healthier. No one will make fun of you or laugh at you. I was terrified to go to my first lap swim too thinking people wold laugh at me or make fun of me, but after I got there I realize how much I love swimming and majority of people are there to lose weight too. Some of the people are much heavier than me.

Don't be afraid. Please go. You'll rediscover your love of swimming. I am a former lifeguard myself.

Now go swimming.

hippichickiniki

I'm embarrassed to go get in the pool too. But it is because I don't know what I'm doing. Just to show you how differently people perceive things, I'm a small, thin person and I'm afraid that the people with swimming skills, like you guys, whatever size they are, will be judging me. I have friends who say they feel embarrassed to go in the pool for various reasons too. So the reality probably is that no one is paying any attention to what we're all most worried about, size or skill or whatever we're embarrassed about, because they are too busy worrying about whatever they're embarrassed about.

Go for it you two. I'm rooting you both on because I wish I had your skill and I sincerely want you to feel better about exercising for your health, in the pool and out.

ABrideToBE

Why care about what other people think? Think about YOU instead. You can do it!!!

LordBezoar

I am in this boat as well. I was on the swim team in High School and more or less lived in the water for a few years.

But in recent years, I have simply not been comfortable around people--even family--while swimming.

fatmom51

I am still much bigger than I should be, but I go to a deep water workout class at the Y once or twice a week and have seen that people in my class are all different sizes, ages, and genders. (I am not even the biggest one in the class.) I am also planning to get back into doing laps as well. It's great exercise and burns a ton of calories.

You may want to check out your pool to find a time when less competitive swimmers are there. (At our pool, I try to avoid when the the younger "masters" swimmers are doing their workouts because I just swim too slowly, but I'm fine when older or newer fitness swimmers are there.) You'd be surprised how many people are in the pool, including those rehabbing from injuries/surgery, trying to lose weight, etc. in all shapes, sizes, etc.

And truth be told, people probably won't give you more than a second glance because most of us are equally self-conscious about ourselves.

SteveT59

Who gives a (insert appropriate profanity here) what others think, what matters is that you want to change things for you and the pool is where you will do it best. I'm far from skinny at 280 lbs, and yes, it can be a little embarrassing on the pool side. If you go to your local gym you will see people of all sizes in there, yes of course Adonis will be there, but so will Jabba the Hutt! I'm more like Jabba than Adonis, but I want to change for a reason and that reason is my kids, NOTHING stands between me and my kids.

Be positive, realise who you are doing this for (yourself) flip the bird at anyone who mocks and make a big splash in that pool.

RedHeadDevotchka

I think alot more people that you could know feel this way, in shape or not. But if you are confident and walk around with swag no one is gonna notice!
Just make sure that your trunks or swim suit, etc fits and go with it!

TheNEWMonicaB

I had the same feeling! I started going to the local Aquatic Center and was taking evening water aerobics 3 times a week. There were people in that class that were 100 pounds to 450 pounds, men and women, and all age ranges. I never once felt uncomfortable, When the nightime water aerobics ended, I was forced to find something to replace it and I was LOVING the water, so decided to try out lap swimming. The 1st time I left the locker room to walk to the pool and look for a lane, I was petrified. After a few moments, I realized that absolutely no one was looking at me and was into their own workout. And, as some others have mentioned, there are people of all ages, weights, and fitness levels walking around and I did not feel the least bit judged.

If you can swallow your fears and insecurities and just do it the very 1st time, I promise it will never be that hard again and you will feel so incredibly good working out in the water.

Good luck to you! You can do it!

simplyeater

Nope. I saw screw 'em and get my fat *kitten* in the pool. This is about ME!

minkakross

Sometimes that first step is the hardest. I remember the day I finally stopped wearing a t-shirt over my swim suit and just accepted who I was, I love working out in the water and if you do you really shouldn't pass up a chance. Be proud of who you are and the hard work you are putting in to be healthy and fit, to the best of my knowledge no human being ever died from embarrassment.

12skipafew99100

C'mon, Take my cyber hand and follow me into the pool! Look, If you don't go, you arent hurting anyone but yourself because the truth is nobody cares how fat or thin you are. You just miss out. JUST YOU misses out. Get over it and be good to yourself!

BrianSharpe

You have to make a decision as to what's more important, your health or your ego. It sounds like swimming is something that you enjoy(ed), just get your butt in the water and get going.

gwduker

The kids like it when I swin because I raise the water level! :laugh: Yeah, not proud of my gut hanging out, but swimming is fun and great excercise. Who cares what other people think. Get out there and enjoy yourself.

Nicole_Altieri

I did the same thing, so I figured out the pools schedule and started going at 5 am, put on my suit under my sweats and when straight to the pool area, stripped down real quick and jumped in before anyone saw me. I friend of mine said something to be about it cause she thought what I was doing was funny......"theyre your insecurities not anyone elses" you are there to be better and feel better - so just ignore other people if they look. Whats kept me going (cause Im obviously the biggest person getting into the pool) is that I can see my body change and other people have commented. Stay motivated for you thats all that matters and keep the haters on the sideline. Hell if you want put a shirt on, they even have swim shirts for men. wwww.swimoutlet.com Do whatever you have to do to make yourself comfortable so you're determined to stay out there!

They also look when I lap thier *kitten* too!

GOOD LUCK

anemoneprose

Go to a few different sessions to see who goes when. At my pool, there are nights/times that attract grannies and families*. (Can be frustrating if you swim at an intermediate or fast pace, though, no offence to older people and families. And there are a couple of older swimmers who are like bloody torpedoes, to be fair.)

My swim 'uniform' helps me feel inconspicuous - basic black Speedo, swim cap, goggles. The way I think of it is, with the last two, no one can really see your face, and your body's there to work anyway

*Friday and Monday nights, usually; weekend mornings.