Bathing suit shopping is not fun for me. It has never been fun. No matter what size I am, I hate trying on bathing suits. Hence the reason my old black suit lasted for 5 years. Every time I wore it I would carefully rinse it in clear water, and hang it to dry. I treated that bathing suit with kid gloves. Not because I loved it, but rather because I didn’t want to have to try a new one on.
When I began my trip UP the scale, I stopped wearing a bathing suit, instead opting for capri pants and a big shirt. It was so embarrassing to go to a swimming party dressed as if I were meeting some friends for lunch. I’d stand around on the pool deck, watching other people swim, feeling as conspicuous as an elephant might in your living room. People would stand around and talk to me, but eventually the lure of their children calling, “Mommy come play with me!” would take them away from me and back to their fun.
Whenever we visited the beach I broke out the capris again, suffering through the indignity and uncomfortableness of getting my pants and shirt wet, but having to happily smile the whole time. Sand sticks to everything, and although it’s fun in a bathing suit, its not so fun in capri pants! John would tell me, “We don’t know anybody – just wear a bathing suit. Who cares?!” I’d shake my head, refusing to even be drawn into that conversation. After all, even if I would consider his suggestion, I’d never agree, because then I’d have to go try on a bathing suit, and that would not be good.
As I lost weight, one of my goals was to be able to swim with my children. When I reached my goal size, I knew it was time. I went shopping and found a modest bathing suit. I still didn’t like the way I looked, but at least no one would laugh and say, “Look at the beached whale sitting on the towel!” The first time we went to the pool was a wonderful experience. I was able to get in, and splash around with the children rather than standing on the sidelines.
Trips to the beach were a completely different experience too. It felt good to be in clothing that was appropriate for the event. I realized that before, people probably noticed me more when I wore my capri pants on the beach than they did in my bathing suit. The kids appreciated the fact that I was able to sit down in the sand and build sandcastles rather than standing around trying to stay clean.
I understand that my unwillingness to put on a bathing suit when I was a size 28 was my own decision. I probably shouldn’t have cared what other people would think, but I did. I did care, and I still do. Body image, operation beautiful, and other such thoughts are wonderful, but it still comes down to doing what you are comfortable with. Sometimes it takes feeling uncomfortable with yourself in order to get motivated enough to change!
I wonder if there are certain clothes that you are waiting to wear before you lose your weight and get healthy? Or are you like I wish I was – confident whatever your weight? Diane
I can’t wait to experience the same joyful feeling as this, when our summer comes again. I too wore capri pants and shirts as bathing suits and it was not fun. So I can’t wait for the summer to come and “relax” in the pool
blackhuff´s last fabulous musings ..Occasions and food
We are avid pool people. I was at the pool every day, of every summer, at every size. My answer was to be IN THE POOL. Like in the pool up to my neck. My kids thought I was the most fabulous pool mom ever, as most moms were soaking up sun and I was always in with them.
For MANY people in weight loss/maintenance blog land, the pool is the answer to very good cardio with knee, lower back, and foot issues. And much of the time, the swimming suit thing (that you describe) is preventing them from exercising. My answer is always the same – if you just get right in the pool, no one can see you or your suit.
Very good and timely topic.
Vickie´s last fabulous musings ..different perspectives
Before I lost 220 pounds I bought bathing suits and I wore them to the beach/pool. I love the water and felt normal when I was in it – with only my head and shoulders above the water line. When I lost the weight I thought it would be more fun to get bathing suits but it is a nightmare. The redundant skin that just hangs from my thighs, butt, arms and hips makes me want to hide my body the way you hid yours at your top weight. No amount of toning or exercise can change skin that was once stretched past capacity. I work out constantly and the skin is here today and will be there tomorrow. I cannot afford the surgery to have it removed~ I cannot put that financial burden on our home today.
Right now I would just like to wear a t shirt without thinking that everyone is staring at the hideous skin hanging off my upper arms. I dream of the day I can throw out all the 3/4 sleeve shirts in my closet. I live in Florida. I would wear t shirts and spaghetti straps 9 months of the year if I did not have these arms.
So for today, I wear a bathing suit but hide my body until it is time to get in the water.
Jane~
Keepingthepoundsoff.com
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I hate wearing or shopping for bathing suits even when I’m at my thinnest! Too many bulges and bumps. Ugh.
Karen@WaistingTime´s last fabulous musings ..Adorable Me
UGH – the swimming suit. Even the some great fit people still don’t look good in them. I heard the funniest comment the other day on the news about how excited everyone is for swimsuit season & nicer weather. The person telling the story said: Who ever looks forward to swimsuits!
And yes, I did wait to wear certain clothes until I lost the weight…
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I hate buying clothes, I do own a bathing suit. Our family are big on waterparks and the beach. I hate wearing a bathing suit,but for my kids I will. I was sitting here bored and trying to justify going to the kitchen to eat something “good” (junk food). Now I have thought it over and will go eat my granola and yogurt. I need to keep on working on me.
I’m not a “confident at any weight” person, but my theory on bathing suits was that there would always be someone who felt worse about themselves in theirs than I did in mine. Looking back it wasn’t the most altruistic theory, but it got me through.
I still hate bathing suits. I have one that’s okay-ish, and that like you, I treat with kid gloves. I wish I could find one I liked. Oh well
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I hate wearing bathing suits to this day! They are the meanest contraption, showing every single flaw on your body…no matter what size you are. I had to go get a bathing suit for a vacation, and settled on one that looked halfway decent on me. I am not a bikini person either…even at my thinnest. Now I have lovely stretch marks and a loose skin pooch, so yeah…bathing suits are on my “hate to wear but will if I have to” list.
I am a swimming fan, have been overweight my whole life, and have been on Park District swim teams. I will never be a bikini person , simply because they are the most impractical things in the world to swim in ( as is any two piece)Our pool has been closed the last two years due to budget cuts, and I really miss swimming every day in the summer now !
I wish we could go back to swimming suits circa 1920
http://antiquesandthearts.com/Antiques/TradeTalk/2008-02-19__10-14-50.html
…good coverage, good sun protection, warmer, and less shaving/waxing of the bikini line.
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Just realized that I am pretty comfortable in a swimming suit now.
Love my Speedo ultra back conservative suit…
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NOT SUGGESTING any of of US make this to eat, looking for the recipe for my under weight extra girl. She loves the Naan bread (indian flat bread) from the store. I figure if she loves it from the package, she will eat twice as much straight out of the oven.
the ingredients on the package are – Wheat, Buttermilk, water, canola oil, roasted garlic, eggs, sugar, baking powder, sea salt, wheat gluten, dextrose, ghee, cilantro, dextrin, vinegar, vegetable fiber, yeast
I tried trick of putting the ingredients in quotes and then typing the word recipe, But only got a link back to the manufacturer.
Ideas on how to find a recipe as close to this combination of ingredients as possible?
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I think I’ve told you this before, but one of my big goals was switching to more skirts without feeling like a tent. I am pleased to say I am probably in them 90% of the time and love it! Much more suitable to my body and tastes, as well as my husband’s preference.
Swimsuits are another one, not thati wouldn’t wear them at my size but I haven’t had the opportunity, being here in Alaska with cold outdoor water and indoor pools that we haven’t joined yet. But my daughter will be taking swim lessons this upcoming year and I am heading to California with my son in July for a wedding, and both of my parents have pools at their homes. I would like to have to confidence to wear a swimsuit when I get down there, and honestly my biggest hangups are my pasty whiteness and scarring on my arms from blemishes, more than my weight! Still, I am intending to get a nice swimsuit and enjoy the water when I am down visiting, and I’d like to do it with some measure of panache
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I hate wearing bathing suits because there are so many people look at me when I go to the beach and it makes me uncomfotable
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Strangely enough I’ll wear bathing suits, but I won’t go sleeveless (unless I’m in a bathing suit of course!). I’d love to bare my arms again one day.
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I do wear a bathing suit and I honestly don’t think anyone thinks I am a beached whale…or if they do, I am not aware of it.
I don’t wear shorts or sleeveless shirts though and probably never will as I know how much hanging skin I have…it will probably be much worse this time around.
My clothes were always a size too big, thought it helped but it just exacerbated the problem
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