Someone has to ask about the 'other women'...

[cotomom]

And I'll bite! So, for you veterans - think it's really necessary for me to starve myself for that svelte body before my cruise? Or do you remember the MAJORITY of women being normal housewife-y Mom looking women? I know there is ALWAYS the token trophy wife or 'perfect body' but I just have to know... will there be any other carbohydrate challenged gals so I can 'blend' in?? :o :o :o

[rcdisneyfam]

You see all shapes and sizes. Don't be afraid to wear a bathingsuit, for it is a vacation and you deserve it. Go relax and enjoy the sun:smooth: Most women are not afraid to wear bathing suits. No matter what their size.

[ruvidu]

I am a people watcher and can say "you will see all kinds". Some of the best bodies money can buy as well as the regular ole Moms and Dads. Remember what they say, "You will never see these people again".
Be excited but Be You.

[4nana]

I saw this and had to laugh...cotomom you are too funny :D
Don't worry, wear your bathing suit and enjoy yourself. You will see every shape and size having the time of their life. For every trophy body there are a dozen carbo challenged !!! :tongue:

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Are there good-looking, fit people onboard? Oh, yes, there certainly are. Without a doubt. But chances are, you won't be the most overweight, out-of-shape person onboard. Nobody's going to giggle and point. Be the person you are... there's no beauty pagaent onboard.

[inkkognito]

I am certainly not at all svelte, and I have seen plenty like me, plus people who actually make me look skinny (and of course some perfect bodies too). You will definitely see all kinds, so don't be shy. I never am, as I love the pools and whirlpools. I figure, if someone else doesn't like my body, don't look! ;)
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.*****************

[happydays]

A Disney cruise is absolutely NOT the place where you have to be apprehensive about wearing a bathing suit. I am definitely not in the best shape of my life :rolleyes: two kids will do that to you, but I distinctly remember laying back on a lounge chair on Castaway Cay for the first time and feeling pretty darn good about myself (I am easily 20 pounds overweight ). Remember, a vast majority of the gals on this cruise are overworked women who have never fully recovered from childbirth (lol). If you want a little help, I will tell you one of my "secrets". It's called the "Miracle Suit" and their slogan is "Lose 10 pound in 10 minutes". Very comfortable, very slimming and very pricey:D . I bought my online and was thrilled with how they fit (and trimmed my tummy!). Anyway.. relax - the previous posters are right ... you will see all sizes and shapes, and no matter how you THINK you look, you will not stand out in the crowd! Have a great time!:D

[Stepherella]

Happydays,
where did you purchase this miracle suit?

[happydays]

I think it was www.cyberswim.com (and I purchased two with matching pareos!) The little pareo skirt things are also pricey but they are the best cover ups - very comfy. If that address is not correct, do a search on Miracle suit and you should find something.:D

[ducklite]

JC Penney's sells the Carol Wier Slim Suits that are similar to the Miracle Suits. They are great, and definitely help hide the little flaws.

My only pet peeve with bathing suits (other than men in speedo's--YUCK!) are women who are carrying a spare tire or three and are in bikini's. EWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!

Anne

[imgoingtodisney]

DH and I just had this conversation the other day. He said he cant wait to see the "other women" in their suits. But then he told me not to worry -

HE WANTS TO BE WITH HIS WIFE!

(Arent we going to be looking at the men?)

[MICHELLENDEAN]

I'll be 5 months pregnant..you can sit next to me!!! Anyone will look tiny next to me at that point! LOL!

[SC Minnie]

You will see all shapes and sizes on board the Magic. Like some of the others have said most of the people on board had children and you know what happens to your body after childbirth! Just wear what you feel comfortable in and don't worry about what everyone else it thinking!

You are on VACATION! Have FUN!!!!

["Ginger"]

Dear Cotomom and others,
I always shed a few pound before I go. I am by no means thin, an average mommy. I tend to gain weight just by looking at food. While on the cruise I want to feel comfortable in my clothes till the end. So that is why I take off before I go. On an average for me, I gain 12 to 14 pounds while on a 7 night cruise. No, I don't miss a meal or snack, I get my monies worth and love it.

Relax, enjoy and indulge.:bounce:

[Lyneigh P]

I think you should definitely NOT worry about what people think. Be comfortable with who you are. I live in L.A., so I see lots of women and men obsessed with their bodies. I am always amazed with what people will do to their bodies to impress others. I am a mother of two and it shows. I am not over weight, and I am lucky enough to eat whatever I want and not gain weight, but I don't have that firm body of a non child bearing woman. I could workout everyday if I really wanted to, but I choose to volunteer my time to others. It's more rewarding. I am happy, healthy, and very comfortable with my body. When you go on your cruise, don't worry about what others will think or if they are looking at you, be more considered with your family and yourself. Dance, eat, swim, relax, and most of all enjoy you time with your family.

[Bellewish]

I have to say, I saw a plus-size woman wearing a string bikin onboard and my only thought was, "You go girl!!!" Where do I get that kind of confidence. I'm sorry ducklite but...your attitude is part of the reason women feel bad about their bodies. The worst criticism comes from other women!

You will see all types and sizes of people on the Disney Cruise. Wear whatever type of bathing suit YOU feel good in and have an amazing time.

[happydays]

Such a wealth of good advice! One thing you first time Disney cruisers can be sure of - the Wonder and Magic guests are not a bunch of "posers" (thats what I call the gals who I see in the gym in full makeup, carefully arranged hair and $200 fancy workout clothes:D ). Rest assured that you will NOT be surrounded by a bunch of "magazine-pretty' singles out trolling for a mate - I think Carnival has that market cornered!! Instead, you will be surrounded by normal, average, friendly Disney-lovin folks. Have a great time:cool: !

[Sandiebean]

Bellewish! Good for you! I have been everything from very underweight (anorexic).. to loads overweight. (I gained approx. 70 pounds on medication).

It's a terrible prejudice to comment on how anyone looks. Looks do not define anyone. Everyone has the right to dress how they please. I don't believe there should be a standard for slim people.. and a standard for fat people.. and a standard for those supposedly in the middle. The standard is the standard. Live within it.. or live outside it. The standard is your own.

You go girl.

Sandie

[cotomom]

I never could have imagined such a great response to my silly little question. See, I *knew* other people were thinking the same thing!

I'm in so. CA too and surrounded by the 'beautiful people'. I'm not really too concerned about what I look like to other people, I'm going to HAVE FUN!

Thanks everyone for all of the eye-openers!
Kendra

[mrkrpan]

Just got back last night from our trip and I was so focused on relaxing and not worrying about anything that I didn't notice if anyone was looking to see what I was wearing....I think most people are focused on their own vacation and family that they will not be criticizing you.....You've paid your money for this cruise - ENJOY IT - plus be sure to "WEAR" your smile and that is what people will notice most about you! The only thing I noticed is that when I was 13-16 years old, my body did not look like the girls do today - oh, I'm getting old......

enjoy!! and smile!!

[DVC1996]

Cotomom (Kendra)........I applaud you for asking this question! It is something that has also been on my mind lately and even more so today since it is my 49th birthday These responses were the best birthday present I could have ever gotten. I'm just going to enjoy the cruise with dh :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:
Thanks everyone!

[cotomom]

Happy Birthday Harriet!

Enjoy your birthday AND your cruise!

Kendra

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

[jr-nm]

Take a look at all those slim, beautiful people in the Disney Cruise brochure – you won’t see them onboard. Perhaps I didn’t notice the starlets, but it seemed that 99.9% of the folks looked like “family cruisers”. I had to laugh when I went to soak in the hot tub. (I was still sore from walking around DisneyWorld.) I must have climbed in during a meeting of the hairy belly fat guy club. I felt right at home.
JR
:)

[ducklite]

Originally posted by Bellewish
I have to say, I saw a plus-size woman wearing a string bikin onboard and my only thought was, "You go girl!!!" Where do I get that kind of confidence. I'm sorry ducklite but...your attitude is part of the reason women feel bad about their bodies. The worst criticism comes from other women!

People who are obese should NOT be happy with their bodies. They are at risk for a huge variety of health problems. We won't even go into the financial implications.

I agree, it is irrational to expect that everyone look like a SI swimwear model. But carrying an extra 50 or more lbs is not healthy. I notice you didn't comment about my comment on men in Speedo's. My "criticism" wasn't just towards women.

Anne

[ChiTownZee]

men in Speedo's

BLECH!!!! It is my belief that NO man should wear a speedo unless they are competing in a swim meet! I don't care if you have 1% body fat and muscles out the wazoo, wear some trunks!

[Sandiebean]

Anne..

I don't think the objection was to the comment on how large or small someone was.. especially regarding health issues. Your comment was

*******My only pet peeve with bathing suits (other than men in speedo's--YUCK!) are women who are carrying a spare tire or three and are in bikini's. EWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!! ********

Some found your comment offensive because it *seemed* to be based on esthetics... not health. If you have a *spare tire*.. what difference does it make if it's encased in a bikini.. or a full bathing suit? Perhaps a person with a spare tire or three.. shouldn't be allowed to put a bathing suit on at all?

Sandie

[Bellewish]

Ducklite, Had your primary "concern" been their health, perhaps you could have phrased it better. Since you expressed that "concern" as being, "your pet peeve" and "Ewwwwwww!!!!!" I definitely took it as prejudice and criticism. Judgement and bias are just that, no matter what issue you cover them in.

That said - Thanks Sandiebean!!

[tksbaskets]

perhaps we should all just "lighten up" - a little pun intended.

This is a most sensitive topic for lots of people. I hate to see such a friendly board "read into" peoples' posts.

I must agree with the Speedo comments but that is just a personal preference!!

[ChiTownZee]

MAJORITY of women being normal housewife-y Mom looking women?

I'm not sure there is a 'norm' for housewifey Mom's. Do they have different bodies than working moms? Or non-moms for that matter.

:::::::wondering if I am a 'mom looking woman' or not:::::::::

[dijid]

Unhappiness with your body goes both ways. I am one of those unhealthy looking underweight people out there. I assure you it is not by choice an my inability to stop the weight loss while nursing has prompted medical testing. People who are too polite to make comments about someone being overweight sure have no problem telling me I am too thin and need to eat more. I get accused of being anorexic by people all the time (friends and strangers alike). I think we all just need to recognize that everyone is different and "to each his own". You'll have so much more time for yourself and your family if you stop wasting time passing judgement on others.

[twinscandc]

I guess what I think about is how I'm going to look in all the pictures that are taken while on the cruise...both the pictures taken by my family and also the profession pictures.

I don't really care about how others look at me....I'm my worst critic!!

So, with that....I'm going to do everything in my power to look (and feel) fantastic for our cruise so that when I get home I can display our pictures with pride!!

Anybody else feel this way, or is it just me?

[1stNoel]

I'm with ya twinscandc. I personally don't care what others think about my cottage cheese thighs, but I do care what I look like in all those vacation pix.

Upcoming vacations can be a great motivator to lose some weight and get in shape for those marathon walks around WDW. If you decide to diet, do it for yourself and do it safely. :D

[Renee']

What an interesting post. We've taken 3 Disney cruises so far and our 4th is in September. Before I post I need an explanation as I'd like to fully understand. Can someone please explain what.....

a trophy wife is?

And what normal housewife-y Mom looking women are?

Thanks!

[magyar2]

I am a large woman. Not once did I feel self-concious during our cruise. But then, I also go to the local pool and romp in the water with my children, no matter what my size. I think that if you are trying to hide yourself, you will draw more attention than if you just jump in and enjoy the moment!

Also, on our 4-day, I actually lost weight, even though I felt like we ate constantly. We also walked everywhere (helped that our room was at the front, and the restaurants and pools were at the back, and that the stairs were faster than the elevators!), we left the boat when it was docked and explored the islands, in fact, the only time we really rested was when we went to bed!

My husband, well, he did gain a few, but then he was bound and determined to get his money's worth of Mickey Bars, plus he didn't have to keep going back to the room to get this or that for the kids!

You will have a great time, do not fret over how you look. You will be smiling and happy in your pictures, no one will look at anything else but the joy emanating from you!

[ennazus]

Originally posted by MICHELLENDEAN
I'll be 5 months pregnant..you can sit next to me!!! Anyone will look tiny next to me at that point! LOL!

At 5 months pregnant you will be a glowing beauty! :) Congratulations!! I took a vacation at 5 months along and it was WONDERFUL! Enjoy!!!

[reveric]

I took a vacation at 5 months pregnant also and it was heavenly! What I remember best was snorkling and being on my tummy in the water. I didn't want to get out of the water because it felt so good to be on my tummy knowing it would be months before I could do that again!

[gobbi45]

PEOPLE!!! Stop right here! I think the original poster just wanted to know some simple info. Just like we ask "how do people dress for formal night or tropical night?" I think she just wanted to know that she will see a variety of women in swimwear.

[Michelle]

Okay everyone, this sure does seem to be a hot topic. Cotomom, I hope you got the answer you were looking for because this is closed now. :)