how do people who have lost the weight wear a

[imgoingtodisney]

bikini and not feel self-conscious after having all your skin covered for sooooo long?

 

[disykat]

Just do it! Vacation is a perfect opportunity. Everyone else will be in swimsuits too and you don't know any of them!

Personally I've always preferred my stomach covered no matter what size I wear, so when I reach my goal I'll just be looking better in a one-piece!

 

[marydmjj]

I agree that vacation is the best time to give it a try. I always feel less self-conscious on vacation for some reason. I figure no one knows me or is paying any attention to me (unlike at home when you are bound to be with family/friends, etc.). Go for it! I'll bet you look fabulous!

 

[Laurajean1014]

Remember:

Only you know your abdomen hasn't seen sun for a while. No-one on vacation has to know. Try a really good pre-tanning solution and then put on that bikini and go have fun.

You put through alot of time and energy to lose the weight. Now you get to reap the benefits of that hard work. Do it for us, too! The wantabe's in your predicerment.

 

[ohiominnie]

DON'T watch the cruise video!!! Don't look through DCL brochures!! They are NOT real representations of what you'll see on your cruise or at CC.

All of the pics and videos are of very trim, very beautiful, very toned, tan women. I've been on two cruises..... it's actually more like real life... the kinda women you'd see at the mall, only they are all wearing bathing suits. The only woman I DIDN'T see in a bathing suit was my MIL who weighs all of 125 pounds but refused to let anyone see her "fat body" in a bathing suit.

 

[imgoingtodisney]

ok everyone - tell me to push the button
as DH just said to me "I dont care what you wear - I dont care what anyone wears" was hoping for a little push but didnt get it

went to jcpenney.com and was about to buy the blue tahiti bikini w/soft cup bra and adjustable bottoms - I dont think the other 2 styles have any lining in the tops - im small in the top but not used to "hanging out"

anyone wanna go take a look at the 3 and let me know what you think? my sizes as of sept 1st are bust 35, waist 30 and hips 39
are these hips too big for a bikini?

 

[kayeandjim00]

Hi Barb - I checked out the bikini you mentioned at jcpenney.com and it's so cute! Perfect for a cruise. I say you should go for it! It's a great price as well so all the more reason! Show off the body you have worked so hard for!

 

[KathyTX]

Personally, I think there are very few women over 25 years old who have had children that can carry off a bikini. (Are you *really* talking about a bikini, or a more modest two piece?)

It's not just a question of weight, but also of muscle tone and skin condition. If you have the young and well-toned body of a Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition model, then go for it.

If you have a normal body, there are many more modest styles that will probably be much more flattering and comfortable, including tankinis and tanks.

 

[mickeyfan1]

I have to chime in here. Apparently some peoplewould be appalled at me, I wear a tank suit only for a water park. The rest of the time, my size 14/16 180 pound body is in a 2 piece. And at home, I only wear the bottoms. I am not in the least concerned if someone finds it horrifying that I, a 50 year old mother, wears a 2 piece suit. I don't wear thong suits, nor do I wear side tie bottoms, but my suits are all below the waist bottoms, and small enough tops to where I feel that I am covered, but not overly. That being said, Barb, if you want to wear a 2 piece, go for it. Enjoy the sun, you will probably need sun screen, as you won't have been out for a while, but don't let anyone tell you what you should or shouldn't do based on their outlook. Do what you want, because in the end, it's what will make you happy. BTW, my DH says he doesn't care, either, and if he did care, it doesn't sway me. He knows that I am comfortable with how I look.

Be happy Barb, by the time you get on the ship, you will have it all worked out, amd you can enjoy.

 

[ohMom]

barb - i agree that you should get what YOU want and would feel comfortable in

that said - thanks for the tip, there is some really cute tropical tankini and I believe I may have to purchase one for my dec cruise!!

I would also agree that a real bikini is hard to pull off unless you are somewhat of a hard body - but all that really matters is how you feel and are you going to feel exposed or comfortable? Can you try some bikini on at a dept store or Meijer or where ever and see how you feel with a more revealing suit? even if you don't like the print, etc, just how you feel wearing it? would you be ok with walking out of the dressing room in it and into the store? Myself, I am not there and probably won't be ever. I LOVE tankinis though! they give the comfort and convenience of a two-piece without showing my lower belly leftovers of two pregnancies!!

 

[KathyTX]

Mickeyfan- I think you're approaching the question from a self esteem angle: "As long as I'm happy with myself, I don't care what anyone else thinks about how I look or dress."

I'm approaching it more from a fashion and image projection angle. "What can I wear that makes me look as good and as occasion-appropriate as possible?"

These two different approaches fuel some pretty passionate debates on the boards, especially when folks start talking about formal nights on cruises!

So I guess the OP just needs to decide what her goal is: Do you want to LOOK good, or do you want to FEEL good? And would wearing a bikini make you FEEL good, or would you feel self-concious and wish you had chosen something less daring?

I know I *feel* my best when I *look* my best. That's when I'm the most confident and the most comfortable. And I'm years past ever being able to do that in a bikini!

 

[imgoingtodisney]

Im still kinda torn here
Part of me wants to go ahead and order the bikini - I have blue mesh shorts I can wear over the bottoms to hide once I stand-up. Think it may give me the initiative to continue on my diet until its actually cruise day. Ya know gotta look good for that bikini!
Part of me says to wait till Im onboard ship and buy a Mickey bathing suit!
Thanks for everyone's input

 

[geetey]

Wait a minute.... no one mentioned a swimming suit before. Easy decision for me..... wait for the suit!! I bet they have some really cute ones on the