Swimming but obese

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone. I feel very encouraged. I will call Monday and see about getting signed up. And they are offering water aerobics too!

I will look at some suits online. I might feel ok w rash guard and regular full coverage bottoms. It's been annoying in the past to keep fussing and pulling up the leggings and shorts or pulling down a skirt.

I'm sure once I get there I'll feel better.


Lour friends live in buildings w pools but oddly I feel way more comfortable in a swimsuit around strangers. Go figure.

[Anonymous]

Trust me, no one is looking! You're doing great!

[Anonymous]

If anyone says anything to you (highly unlikely) it is 100% about them and not you.

Swimming is great because you don't feel all sweaty, you're pushing against the water for added resistance, and it's low-impact on your joints. You can even do water walking or jogging if you prefer that to swimming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the support.

I'm very self conscious in a swim suit and pretty modest. I'll wear swim leggings and a long sleeve rash guard. I need to get a new one. My excuse was always the "sun" but I wonder if it will look silly to wear that at an indoor pool? The idea of a one piece w no sleeves scares me.

I live in a very orthodox/some Hasidic community and a Muslim community. I'm neither

The pool is at the JCC so I imagine it will be fairly conservative. They have separate women and men swim times and the offer co-ed and family swim at other times

I understand where you are coming from, but keep in mind that most people are really focused on themselves! When I go to the pool or gym, I truly don't focus on other people; I'm there to do what I need to do. I also appreciate that everyone else is there to do something good for themselves, too. Good luck, OP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone. I feel very encouraged. I will call Monday and see about getting signed up. And they are offering water aerobics too!

I will look at some suits online. I might feel ok w rash guard and regular full coverage bottoms. It's been annoying in the past to keep fussing and pulling up the leggings and shorts or pulling down a skirt.

I'm sure once I get there I'll feel better.


Lour friends live in buildings w pools but oddly I feel way more comfortable in a swimsuit around strangers. Go figure.

Yay OP!!

[Anonymous]

I took a water aerobics class for the first time this summer and really liked it. I'm overweight but not obese and felt comfortable because there were women of all sizes in it. I'm moving on to an aqua spin class this fall with the same teacher and figure if I can't keep up at least my legs will be under water and it won't be as apparent!

[Anonymous]

I'm bigger than you and swim at the JCC in Rockville all the time. It's really great and as other PP's have said, no one is looking at you at all. Also, if you have joints that ache, prepare to be thrilled by the sheer weightlessness and joy you will feel in the water. And, starting this past year, they even keep the outdoor pool open year round so you can swim in warm water while it's freezing outside and watch the mist rise while you move. Honestly, the best times of my week are when I hit the water. Join me!

[Anonymous]

OP, you have inspired me. I am obese and just signed up for an aqua fit class. Thank you. Good luck to both of us!

[Anonymous]

I love this thread.

[Anonymous]

OP I promise no one is paying attention to you at the pool. If they are it really says FAR more about them than it does you! Go enjoy yourself, and kudo's for getting active! I REALLY need to do that myself, it's just so damn hard isn't it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the support.

I'm very self conscious in a swim suit and pretty modest. I'll wear swim leggings and a long sleeve rash guard. I need to get a new one. My excuse was always the "sun" but I wonder if it will look silly to wear that at an indoor pool? The idea of a one piece w no sleeves scares me.

I live in a very orthodox/some Hasidic community and a Muslim community. I'm neither

The pool is at the JCC so I imagine it will be fairly conservative. They have separate women and men swim times and the offer co-ed and family swim at other times

If you go to the women's swim at the JCC, you will probably see many women wearing "modest" swimwear of various types, even though it's women only. I doubt you'll stand out with leggings and rashguard.

[Anonymous]

OP, water aerobics can be so fun! I take the occasional class and have always been really impressed with how supportive and encouraging people are. I hope you find a supportive and encouraging group. You can do this!

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm fat and I go to orange theory 5 times a week. Even there, there are people of all sizes/ages and I don't feel bad. It is accepting. Once I get there I realize I belong as much as anyone else and others are worried about their workouts only.

Swimming sounds great!

[Anonymous]

I’m 5’3 225lbs and i play tennis 4x a week. You can do it, OP!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the support.

I'm very self conscious in a swim suit and pretty modest. I'll wear swim leggings and a long sleeve rash guard. I need to get a new one. My excuse was always the "sun" but I wonder if it will look silly to wear that at an indoor pool? The idea of a one piece w no sleeves scares me.

I live in a very orthodox/some Hasidic community and a Muslim community. I'm neither

The pool is at the JCC so I imagine it will be fairly conservative. They have separate women and men swim times and the offer co-ed and family swim at other times

I understand where you are coming from, but keep in mind that most people are really focused on themselves! When I go to the pool or gym, I truly don't focus on other people; I'm there to do what I need to do. I also appreciate that everyone else is there to do something good for themselves, too. Good luck, OP!

A woman stopped me as I left the pool today, because she liked my swim pants and wanted to know where she could buy them. I wear them so I don't have to shave. They are perfectly comfortable in the water.