Horrified in a Swimsuit. Advice?

[3boyzmom]

I also got my favorite suit from Land's End. You can buy top and bottom seperately, build your own perfect suit. My suit doesn't make me look slim, beautiful and 20 . But, I don't feel self-conscoius in it and I can have fun with my kids and not feel bad about myself. A trick I found ... I order a long torso top and it sits a little father past my waist then most tops. Look for the swim mini .. I love it!

Good Luck and have fun!

 

[kaysmommie]

That is a cute swimsuit. Where did you buy it? I might get one for me because I went swimsuit shopping and ended up buying nothing because nothing looked good on me. I have about 15 extra after baby pound to lose and have a poochie belly. It's hard to come to terms with your new after having kids body when you used to be in shape, I can relate.

 

[kldmom2000]

Can't stress enough about Land's End and LLBean. I used to be extremely overweight and lost about 120 lbs ( I'm now a size 6/8) My belly never got flat esp. after 2 c-sections and such a big weight loss-I still have that "roll" in front. I find that these 2 swimsuits are quite flattering and I own both....
http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/st...egory=5186&cat4=3027&shop_method=pp&feat=dp27

http://www.landsend.com/cd/fp/prod/...l?CM_MERCH=PAGE_10433&sid=4530133142018111040

 

[GISELLEROL]

i found some here that are quite flattering swimsuits for all

 

[taximomfor4]

That is a cute swimsuit. Where did you buy it? I might get one for me because I went swimsuit shopping and ended up buying nothing because nothing looked good on me. I have about 15 extra after baby pound to lose and have a poochie belly. It's hard to come to terms with your new after having kids body when you used to be in shape, I can relate.

I found it at Kaufman's (oops, now Macy's.) It was separates. And it was marked down, but was even cheaper at the register (although still not "cheap" lol). I needed size 14 on the bottom. Also got 14 on the top, but could have done a 12 if they'd had it. That is still progress, you know...my last year suits are 16.

Those shorted swimsuits in a pp are pretty cute too...I might have to try one of those. Our goal was for each person to have 2 suits, so one is always dry on our trip.

Here is my strategy: I am putting the swimsuit on and walking around in it for a few minutes each day. Don't laugh, I feel like I am getting used to being more"exposed" in the thighs than usual, hehe. And know what? I feel like I look alright in it! Like a typical mom of 4 in Ohio.

ETA: if anyone still looking for their most flattering suit has not tried this yet, that Lands End link above will take you to their site. There, if you click "Try it on" you can make a virtual model -- put in your own measurements, etc and see how that suit (and others) work for YOU. I figured out that the halter-style cut on top looks best on me, and that I was NOT doing myself well by wearing the little skirts on the bottom (my hips are quite squarish, so the skirts just emphasized that. )

Have fun!

 

[pperfectmom]

I feel your pain. I followed advice I saw earlier on this board and went to try on suits at Target last week(leaving for the beach tomorrow ). Needless to say it was a traumatic and unpleasant experience. Even the suits for middle-aged overweight women like your's truly looked terrible. Then I started looking for shorts and things went downhill from there . Why would a 37 year old woman with 40 extra pounds ever want something called "low rise"? I had to go into the men's section to find a pair of stinking shorts. Well, here I am with my standby Land's End suit from 2 years ago packed. I tried it on when I got home from Target and felt 100 times better. It is the kind with the shorts and a tank top. I have no idea if it is stylish or not, and really don't care. As for us older gals wearing swim skirts, I never thought those were for the younger crowd. I just assumed they were meant for those of us with something(in my case a lot of "something") to hide.

 

[the Fidge]

CONGRATS TAXI MOM AND LOVE THAT SUIT! Thanks for the info on the lands end virtual model boy wouldn't that be fun for me! Anyway, enjoy have fun and feel as wonderful about your outside as you do about your inside!

By the way I will be trying to get myself back into somewhat of a shape that does not resemble the one I have now. I am planning to go in APril 2007 and hope I make it with a figure I would be proud to get into a pretty suit.

Enjoy it is lovely and I was under the impression impulsivity is a given as a charactersitic for every teen! Pre teen toddler and even grown ups. Guilty of putting my foot in my mouth way to often myself. So happy to hear that she was not proud and isn't that all a Mom can ask for? The abiltiy for a child to realize thats 99% of the battle. I know she will be proud to see her confident Mom out there having as much fun if not more. Have a great trip!

 

[mshrm]

This sounds like a really disheartening experience for you. I hope you find a suit that allows you to forget about your body and have a wonderful time.

 

[DWSCLS]

Is it possible that you can go alone and commit time for YOURSELF!!! Firstly, I was raised by a fitness focused mother who felt the exterior was far more improtant than the interior. So with great pride I can tell you that my once muscular and fit body went to the dogs after child birth. Has my habits changed YES!!! I take time for my family more than I do for myself. It has been 10 years and I am trying to put some foucs on me to get fit.

Personally growing up I wanted to spend time with my Mom being a Mom rather than watch her workout and primp herself and could then not touch her for fear I mess up her hair or make up! That said, please realize that your value in a suit does not compare to the value of a Mom who your children can roll all over and not worry if they are interupting your YOU time!

What bathing suit you feel good in is the one, maybe look into seeing if tere are any outlets nearby that you can go have it and try a bunch on as you see other women walking in with their 20 suits too!

The sacrifices of being a Mom have sometimes come at the cost of my vanity but a price worth paying! On the upside just remember your not a man who goes bald, they can't gorw hair back but we can drop a few with a lot of sweat and tears!

Happy planning and wear that suit in confidence knowing that you are giving your children something alot of Mom's can't , YOUR GOING TO DISNEY!!!!

Oh what an excellent post!!! Thanks you for posting this. I'm in the exact same boat and this made me feel better.

I settled on a bathing suit that is sporty and kinda hides my upper thighs. The bottoms are like shorts and the top is a tank. I got it at JCPenney. It's comfortable and it makes me feel better about myself. Good luck with your decision. You're not alone!!

 

[mom2bellaandlivi]

I can totally relate! I am sorry I really have no advice. Someone stole mine at WDW from a chair right outside out door and I had to buy one there....3 sizes to small. DH loves it cause I almost fall out of the top..men.

Just wanted to say GOOD LUCK!!

 

[taximomfor4]

I can totally relate! I am sorry I really have no advice. Someone stole mine at WDW from a chair right outside out door and I had to buy one there....3 sizes to small. DH loves it cause I almost fall out of the top..men.

Just wanted to say GOOD LUCK!!

I had to do that at Geauga Lake one year, in the water park. After I put it on in a bathroom stall and went to meet DH by the water slide, he and my brother looked at each other, and collectively "decided" that roller coasters sounded really good right then -- so back on went the clothes.

I was confused till I got home and saw in a mirror. The recent birth of my son (and nursing him) had given me WAAAAYYYY too much for the 2 sizes too small cups in my new swimsuit. BTw, DH liked it better at home.

 

[crisi]

I'm jealous of anyone who can wear a tankini - they are cute, but they do nothing for me except make me look 20 lbs heavier than I am and show off every pregnancy stretch mark and wrinkle I aquired. I look better in a bikini, because at least then everyone is looking at my chest.....

Best advice I can give, be as comfortable in the body you have as you can be. Find a suit that flatters you, if possible. Try to pick one age appropriate (not the suit for 60 year olds on someone 24, but not the suit for someone 17 on a 42 year old - unless you can still pass for 24). Recognize that even "pooh sized" women wear suits (I'm always terribly impressed when a overweight woman comes to the pool - I may not be admiring her tight abs or swimsuit model chest, but I DO admire her courage - that takes a lot of guts - and frankly THAT is far more admirable than anyone's fake breasts). And finally - invest in a good coverup.....

 

[sara74]

Ok, so I know I look my WORST in a swimsuit this summer - 35 weeks pregnant and overweight to boot. And to make matters worse, my left leg is covered in varicose veins. I don't mean a few spider veins. I mean bulging, green, purple, blue afraid to shave or I will bleed to death veins. And I didn't even want to put on a pair of shorts, much less a maternity swimsuit.

So I was glad to read this thread and everyone's great advice. Last year I got a suit at Land's End, next year I probably will again.

And this year? I put on a brave face and walk to the playground in shorts or the pool at the Y as if there is nothing wrong with my legs, belly or tush. And so far no one has commented - at least not that I have heard!

OP - so sorry your DD did that to you. Not to be mean to her, but she deserved to cry over making her mom feel that way! It was a good lesson for her, but I am sorry that it was at your expense! Have a great summer in your awesome suit! I'm sure you wear it well!

 

[mrsmiller]

Try the Christina one piece sarong bathing suit at macys.com

I ordered it and is beautiful , the sarong is attatched to the bathing suit and it gives you a nice flatering figure.
Try:
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=179123&categoryID12420

 

[emma'smom]

Von Maur has some cute "Slim Suits". They are full one-piece suits. I also bought swim shorts to go with it. They are like a swim skirt, but shorts. The suit doesn't require it, but it gives me more coverage.

I also have a terry cloth beach cover up from Eddie Bauer that I bought last summer. I wear this around the pool when I'm not swimming.

 

[cjnix29]

I bought a tankini from Target, it's brown, and I really think the color helped. It's dark, but not Black so my pasty skin looks even more pale! First suit I have bought in a long time that I actually feel comfortable in. Although I have also wanted to try whatever slimming brand they sell on qvc, but don't want to pay the price!!! Good luck!

 

[BamaFan121s]

I really can't give you any advice as far as finding a suit because I don't think I own one. (I don't have a pool and don't really like the clorine, so I mostly steer clear, but that's just me.) I just wanted to aplaud all of the women I see here who are proud enough to do something for themselves rather than sit to the side because of what others say. I applaud that. Please...to anyone reading...don't let any negative comments made here or elsewhere get you down. You pick and wear what you are comfortable with and what you like, whether it comes from the ladies, young adult, juniors, whatever.

(Now, let me get back to my diet...lol )

 

[luvdiz2]

We spend about 6 weeks all total at WDW every year so a lot of access to pools and nice weather

Last night I was in Walmart up here in Canada and saw some swimsuits - I'm not shopping by the way, I just don't wear them

But, I tried some on and LOVED THEM!!! they are mix and match skirt type bottoms wth different colours/shaped tops. Bought a set and was so happy. Anyway, the point of the story is when I showed my hubby at home he loved it and said "you never go in the pools anyway". and I thought to myself, my kids aren't going to look back and remember how fat Mom looked in her bathing suit, right now they are remembering I never went in the pool. The lady sitting beside me isn't saying - look at that fat lady in the swimsuit, she is 20 lbs overweight. She is you, saying - I look awful in this swimsuit, everyone is staring at me! So if the lady sitting next to me, across from me, etc. is worried about themselves, why do I need to worry what they think of me - THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT WHAT I LOOK LIKE

Anyway, this is long but the point is worry about the memories you are making for your family.

 

[stacy6552]

Look no further! READ THIS! I feel your pain sisterfriend! And I have two things to share with you.....

First, go to Glamour.com and create a vertual model and try on all their suits. I swear this really works! The year I tried it, the shopping was so much easier, because I knew exactly what to look for and avoided all kinds of horrors. It works really it does!

Second, keep this in mind: there is nothing better for one's self esteem then the pool at WDW, or even better a waterpark. Every time we go, I freak in the weeks leading up to it, but you know what? There is always always always someone there who is bigger then you, or paler then you, or saggier than you, or in bigger denial about what suit they can wear.....So relax! We're women. Embrace the cattiness that makes us feel better (for all the wrong reasons, yes, but who cares!)

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I am about 15-20 pounds overweight - and the "freeing" thing I find about Disney is that NO ONE IS LOOKING AT YOU......IMO, everyone is wrapped up in their own happy family vacation to worry about how I'm TRYING to conceal my "jelly belly". Once you get that mentality into your head, you will enjoy your trip much much more and get more comfortable in your suit.

Enjoy your trip