Too embarrased to go swimming

I never ever swim in public. ): It's something I wish I could get over but I don't even wear SHORTS or short sleeved shirts so I really don't think this is something I will be able to overcome.

Going to Hawaii has totally cured me of swimsuit self-consciousness. In fact, after probably a decade of not wearing a bikini I finally decided to go buy one after being there. And I wore it and I totally rocked it in my own head even though I really don't have the body to be rockin' it in anyone else's head. It's all in the attitude. Those gorgeous beaches are full of very large girls and women in very tiny bikinis and they just looked so beautiful because they were absolutely not the slightest bit uncomfortable with themselves. They are absolute works of art simply because they know they are beautiful. I'm guessing they have a culture where 'skinny' is not in, because they were big and happy to be big and saw absolutely nothing wrong with being big. And they all looked totally healthy and happy. Sometimes you just have to embrace the body you have. You can love yourself and still work to improve yourself.

I love swimming as well. I hate myself in a bathing suit. But I still force myself to get over it and get in the water. I used to go to this gym when I lived in Japan. Everyone was thin!!! I really stood out. I was the only white person and I was overweight. That was a hard place to walk into. But everyone was pretty nice. People would ask me where I was from, I started to make friends and eventually I didn't worry so much about how I looked and I concentrated more on how I felt about doing something that I love. Is there anyone you could go with? It might be easier with a buddy.

Just do it! You are there to get healthy. Who really cares what others are thinking and honestly most people aren't gonna give it a second thought. If it makes you feel better then go at non peak hours and once you are in the water they can't even see you. It will get easier each time you go. You have just as much right to go there, don't sell yourself short. I love to swim (and I am not even very good) and I go for me Live like a fit person and soon you will be one!

Hello!

I've been having lessons with my friend. He's teaching me to improve my stroke . Seriously. He's helping me to improve the breaststroke and I've just started the front crawl. I never look in the mirrors at the pool and just concentrate on improving. I don't think anyone is really taking any notice of us getting in and out but we do have a tendency to worry what people think. These days I feel more of a twit because I have to wear a swim hat! Makes me look like a roll on deoderant! Concentrate on the reason you're at the pool. Let us know when you've been.

How many people at the pool will know you? I tell myself that, and just make sure I go pretty quickly from the changing room to the water, swimming will help with your confidence levels too, beating the nerves/fear will be a victory in itself, please try!

First of all, look around. Everyone else is overweight too lol. Skinny people are hard to find these days.

And then, go buy yourself a swim shirt or rash guard. There's nothing wrong with that, it provides you more UV protection and I'd imagine you'd feel more comfortable with a shirt on.

I'm lucky - I swim at a rehab pool and with100 lbs still to lose, I'm still one of the fittest people there. But I still had to make myself go the first few times. Take a deep beath and dive in - puns intended! You're there for you and swimming is great exercise - and it feels great! I'd bet that after your first swim you'll be beating yourself up for not going sooner.

Hi,
Hm, maybe if I offer my perspective, it might help (I hope):
So, I used to be on a swim team, four years, and it is my love, my passion, my comfort zone. So, even though I am officially an obese person lol (i should not laugh actually) regardless of how I look I still go swimming. I guess it is something between water, pool and me, and I don't even notice anyone there, or if they are staring, I guess it does not bother me the slightest. In fact, I feel most comfortable, it is weird, I know, but it is what it is

However, my issue is going to the gym and wearing short shorts because my legs are not skinny...so, trying to figure that out (we are such a complicated human beings

Another thought is that since you loved to swim, it might be the fact that you want to be best at it...and somehow, you are trying to find a way to be best (read: perfect) first, and then you would feel like now you deserve to go swimming? Could be that, but at any rate, just go for it and just work it. Yeah!:happy:

"Those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind"

I know it's embarrassing to get in your trunks and jump in that pool, just think though how many calories you can burn swimming and how much easier it is on your joints and your range of movement you gain. I can't say no one will laugh or snicker but you can't live your life worrying about what someone else feels about what you look like. Do you best to get out there and use that pool to get those pounds off and to feel better about yourself. Good Luck!!!

I lost all modesty the moment I started triathlon. I wear spandex 6/7 days a week and there is no way to look good when you're coming out of a 1.2 mile swim running out of the water with snot dripping out your nose and looking like you're about to die in every leg of the race.

Honestly just go. No one cares/is looking at you and the more you go the better you'll feel about it as you get more and more comfortable.

I stopped wearing a bathing suit in 10th grade, when I realized what I looked like in one, which in hindsight probably wasn't as bad as I thought. I refused to go swimming anymore, and I used to be on the swim team and spent every day during the summers in the pool as a kid. The last few summers after watching my kids in the pool, I realized how much I missed it. I went to FL in June, bought a bathing suit, and got in the pool for the first time in 30 years. 30 freakin' years I let pass by. 14 of them I could've spent in the pool with my kids instead of just watching. Put your damn suit on and get in the pool!

Well... I know you'll feel better if you just go and hop in the pool

Face your fears, you'll be stronger for it. I'm sure you're your own worst critic anyway. Go and do something you enjoy which is also good for you - hop in that pool!

I don't swim, but I had this exact same feeling with running in public. One day I literally just put my music on loud enough to block out my own internal garbage and just did it. It felt great. I love running now. Eventually you learn to stop caring about what other ppl think and get excited about what you're doing.

Hang in there, it is hard sometimes. good lick!

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?

Only if the hair on your back is long enough to braid. :laugh: :laugh: