Too embarrased to go swimming

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.

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!!

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!

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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