Does anyone else feel like this... For Women Only

[Leash]

I say do whatever you need to do to make yourself feel comfortable and then just have fun. I am only 24 but I am the heaviest I have ever been and aside from some weight gain from birth control pills I can only really blame my love of tasty food. Anyhoo I am getting married in 8 months and I am trying hard to lose weight by then but I know I will never be as small as I want to be. So I am just going to lose as much as I can and then do waht I can to feel pretty on my wedding day. After that we will honeymoon at WDW and I just keep thinking how big I will still be and it makes me sad. After reading throught this thread I feel a little better. I will wear clothes that are comfortable and concealing and then just go have fun. I probably won't swim a lot but I will make use of the jacuzzi so I will buy a nice suit that provides coverage and then I will pack an oversized t-shirt in case I lose my nerve. But no matter what I am wearing or how big I may still be I will be at WDW with my new husband and having the time of my life so I trust that worries about my looks will fast disappear.

 

[Lynne M]

I know exactly how you feel, I just tried on my bathing suit tonight. Ugh. Too many cheeseburgers since last summer. Do I like the way I look in the bathing suit? No way. Will it stop me from enjoying the pool at WL next week? Not a chance!

I know you feel like people are staring at you, but I promise you, they're all too busy enjoying themselves at the pool with their families to even notice the people around them......and 99% of them are also worried about the way they look in their own bathing suits!

Think back to your last vacation....I'll bet that there were people at the pool who were much heavier than you are. Do you remember them? I'm sure you don't, you probably didn't even notice them at the time.

So, please, go and enjoy that pool slide, and don't waste a moment of your vacation worrying about what other people think.

 

[minkydog]

I know, I know...it happens...I'm 49 this year and my kids were recently shocked to find out that I once had my picture in a publication wearing a bikini--let us just say, THAT will never happen again

Most people are far to worried about what they look like to worry about what you look like. You know where I got over my fear? MIAMI You go to the beach there( not South Beach ) and you'll see many, many overweight white-haired ladies,some in bikinis, and old guys in Speedos with their furry gut hanging over. They don't care at all! It was so liberating to me! More power to 'em, I say!

If you are very bothered about the way things look, invest in a great bathing suit with all the right support. Obviously, you want to look as fab as you can. Shave everything. Consider using a self-tanner so you have some color(if you're like me the girls haven't seen the light of day since August ) If wearing a coverup in the pool would help, that's okay too. Nobody will care. Keep saying that--nobody will care.

Now, off you go. Have a great time. I consider my "imperfections" to be marks of character and a life well-led. If you see a 200lb lady coming down the slide, all I can say is outta my way, chick!

Cathy--not gonna ever have a 17" waist again(Oh, that's right...I never did )

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

Okay, I had a lot more here, and it was cathartic to write, but I was oversharing! Suffice it to say, a camping accident left me with a large disfigurement that makes me very uncomfortable with bare legs in public, but I really need to just GET OVER IT!!!! The sad truth is, an entire generation has grown up worshipping apperance as the most important thing, and their criticism is often quick, cruel, and public. The greatest service we can all do, for ourselves and for each other, is to teach our children tolerance and understanding of those who are not "perfect"... and compassion. My own children have learned this lesson, but probably my better way to teach would be to show I don't care what others see. Perhaps it's time I go out and buy some new shorts! ~Ev

 

[Beezle2]

Funny I should see this here this morning, the same subject has really been on my mind! I'm packing around extra weight this trip and it's really been bothering me, thinking about bathing suits and what not I decided I wish everyones flaws could be as visable as mine lol!

Could you imagine if there was a physical attribute a person couldn't hide for say...meaness, conceit, selfishness...things like that. At least you'd know right away that the turkey giving your extra pounds an eyeroll was as "flawed" in their own way. Might give us all a bit of a break on the self hatred actually.

Love youself for who you know you are on the inside

alisa

 

[CaipiraBob]

Please, get in the pool and enjoy yourself.

My mother is ailing and has some severe medical conditions, too. Yet when we bring her up with the children we want her to enjoy herself and by all means get in the water and have fun. It's a family resort, not some hedonistic singles club/ meat market. And while you're at it, get one of those flashy, fancy tropical drinks with the fruit and umbrella on the top if you want. This is Florida, it's your vacation, and you are our welcome guest. So fer Pete's sake get in the pool.

How's that for an invite?

 

[HeatherFeather]

I had my bathing suit epiphany last year at Myrtle Beach. When I looked around and saw other women, no, not just women...people! of all shapes and sizes wearing what they wanted and having a blast at the beach, I stopped and realized that having fun with my family was more important than worrying about how I look. Also, I guess I realized that other people on vacation have much more important things to do than look at me and give me the Joan Rivers red carpet critique. Have fun, swim and be happy!

 

[Gabrielle]

Not only am I a size 16, I have no ****s thanks to breast cancer. I'm the 50-year old pudge with the concave chest at the top of the sliding board with all the other "kids".

Life is short -- have fun!! You're at Disneyworld!!

 

[we3disneygo]

I would agree life is to short, go have fun that's why you go on vacation,!!!

 

[PamNC]

My opinion is simple. If you look around at the other folks at Disney, in the pools and elsewhere, it will become clear to you that America is an obese nation. It's not as if a ton of beauty queens will be hanging out at the pool.

I'm sure that you're beautiful...we all are beautiful and I think if you enjoy the pools and the water slide you should go for it. Be careful in your swimsuit selection. Select one that downplays the trouble spots. I'm 43 and I know what you're saying. I'm not overweight but I sure don't have my 20 year old body any more. I don't feel comfortable in two piece suits any longer. Even though I'm a size 8, things aren't as "perky" as they use to be. You know what I mean. Nonetheless, in some ways I feel like I look better than when I did in my 20's. It's all about self confidence. I've sure seen some men out there at the pools who weren't ashamed to flaunt it...and believe me...they had nothing to flaunt.

PamNC

 

[patsal]

Ithere are so many flattering suits out there in larger sizes. I had a large size next door neighbor when I was growing up and she always had beautiful suits. She always looked nice and very pulled together. Just try on a lot of suits till you find one that is flattering Whatever you decide, just think PRETTY and don't worry about what everyone else thinks.

I've always thought that fit and look are the key to it all. I am a large sized woman, and I do not skip on style when it comes to clothing of any kind and most especially a bathing suit since I will be at my most vulnerable in it. When I find something that fits properly, flatters and enhances what is good I get it. That goes for all of my clothing--if you are large and you buy too big you look bigger and if you buy too small you just accentuate the least flattering aspects of your body structure. You are who you are and if your not willing to accept that and work with it then in the long run you will miss out on some wonderfult hings the workld has to offer us in experiences.
On a lighter note, last year I went to Typhoon Lagoon and enjoyed all the water slides--yup I got a huge wedgie, but I just figured the guy who stands there must see a ton of those each day!

 

[jeankeri]

You are not alone. Go and enjoy your vacation .

 

[BYC]

Im 50......I'm fat.....and I'm going in the pool! I am self concious when I am around people I know, but at Disney, I don't care! I am going down that slide! Just don't stand too close....I make a big splash!!

 

[kinggoofy]

I, too am a 41 yr old male. We have been to WDW several times. My mother passed away when I was 5 from breast cancer. Since then, my 2 older sisters have had to have complete mascetomy's ( hope i spelled that right) they are 53 and 46.

I, nor any of my family members look at them any differently than before. In my eyes, they are my heros. I admire them for their courage and their fight thru a disease. ( thankfully, they have been cancer free for over 5 years now.)

My one sister used to always say to me, "its easy for you to say, but I have to look at myself everyday".

But after encouragement and more encouragement from me and others, both of my sisters "live life today" and worry about tomorrow....TOMORROW.

It sounds like you have an encouraging husband and hopefully these messages have helped you too.

Go enjoy yourself, a mature adult, which i honestly believe most of us are, will look upon you as a "strong woman".

BUT, as I stated what my sister said to me once..."i have to look at myself everyday", you MUST feel comfortable with your situation. Dont worry about what others may think, to me and im sure others, its irrelevant.

Trust me, I am no George Cloney clone myself...but I dont care. IM IN DISNEY WORLD.

BTW, just look at some of the Europeans how they dress. ( from a mans point of view now) ...I wouldnt be caught dead in a skin tight speedo....but they dont care and neither should you.

BUT, once you are comfortable with yourself.."its full speed ahead."

As one of the posters said, " you'll never see those people again". Words of POR piano man, Bob Jackson, I live by.

Enjoy yourself, and I truly hope your illness is conquered.

 

[Tarheel Tink]

Let me admit that I am an over 40 male. I know it said "Women Only" but ladies, c'mon. You are on vacation. WHO CARES, you will never see these people again anyway. Real men are not looking anyway, they are much too busy looking at their own wifes or, more likely chasing after their three kids. Those extra "baby pounds" are, and let me say this loudly, A BADGE OF HONOR. Finally, take a look back. Most of the men you think are looking at you are nothing to write home about anyway. (me included) My advice to you is wear what you feel comfortable in on vacation. Anyone who takes exception to what you are wearing can take a flying leap in the Living Seas for all I care. Have fun.

Your DW is a very lucky woman!

 

[vital]

Please go and enjoy yourself. Remember, there's always someone smaller, prettier, richer, funnier, etc. no matter who you are! Look at Jennifer Aniston, a beautiful girl, still got left for someone "prettier". Ok, maybe not a good statement but you get the point, I hope . I'm a size 8 but I have stretch marks on my hips from my son, my thighs could use some work and I could probably have a breast enlargement to have the "perfect body" but I'm gonna have fun anyway! Just grab some self tanner (a tan always makes me feel better, kinda camoflage's some things ) and have a great vacation .

 

[TSM1993]

My dad always use to say "I just doesnt matter your (we are) on vacation"

He used that answer for everything.

I was always worried about my clothes how they looked if they showed enough not enough well you get my point (high School days) if something was to old to wear if it matched if it didnt match if I packed enough if I didnt pack enough. Well you get the idea.

He would still always say. "I doesnt matter your on vacation and noone knows who you are anyway. So who cares what you look like or what you wear. I just doesnt matter your on vacation"

So now I think of that when packing and thinking what I should wear it doesnt matter I am on vacation.

You are on vacation wear what you want and remember you will probably never see these people again. Who cares what you wear. Be happy with who and what you are and dress how you want nobody knows you and again you are on vacation enjoy it.

 

[kathy387]

I just do my best with the body that I was dealt! I can't even add up the money that I've put out towards diets and beauty products, ect. and you know what? When I turned 40 almost 2 years ago, I felt RELIEVED that I didn't have to look like I was 18 anymore. I'm not what I'd consider large...I'm a size 13 but I have to be realistic and admit that I'm never going to be a six again and at this age either! I wasted alot of years "sitting out" of things that I could have done with my kids and I can't get that time back again. I now have 2 teenage daughters and I'd kill to look like them but I'm also glad that I don't have to! Go and have fun...there are very few people that I've seen on vacation that I still remember...what I do remember is not doing the things that I could have done.

 

[HockeyGoddess]

In general I think women are really tough on themselves when it comes to their physical appearance...gee, could it possibly have something to do with some of those catalogs/magazines/tv shows depicting impossibly thin, perfectly toned, large breasted women with flat stomachs and hips like a teenage boy.

I think Disney is full of real people who for the time they are there should just forget about the rest of the world and our own insecurites and feel the magic.

So jump into that pool, have a great time and remember that we're all in it together and none of us are perfect.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

OP - Your post makes me feel really sad. Don't worry about what other people think. You can be sure that most people won't give you a second look.

Find a swimming outfit which makes you feel comfortable. You don't need to wear a regular bathing suit. I suggest trying some long board shorts (Mysterioso is a good brand which seems to run pretty true to size), then get a lightweight wicking t shirt, such as a Mountain Hardwear Wicked T (men's sizes aren't as tight). Wear a sports bra (quick drying) or a bathing suit top underneath.

You'll be stylin' and look good.

Have fun!