Can I go swimming? Encouragement needed

[fattygoesswimming]

Can somebody who is extremely obese go swimming?
I need encouragement as I have no confidence in myself but need to lose weight. I used to love swimming when I didn't look like an overweight whale.

[110APiccadilly]

Yes, do it. No one will look twice, and you'll fel great! If there's any classes operating near you, or when they start back up, aquafit can be great fun as well.

[Smarshian]

Honestly, not one person will care in the slightest what you look like. They will all be much too focused on themselves.

[SoddingWeddings]

I'm 20st and going swimming after work today.

Go, enjoy.

[idontlikealdi]

Of course. No one will care.

[Mumoftwoinprimary]

About 75% of people wear glasses or contact lenses. So most people won’t be able to see you anyway!

[Spinningaround21]

Perfect exercise and lots of different shapes and sized people go swimming. If you enjoy it go for it.

[CMOTDibbler]

Absolutely you can. That's one of the joys of swimming.

[BogRollBOGOF]

Swimming and other pool based activities such as aqua-aerobics are very accessible and popular with people who are obese as they are low impact. Most of the time you're covered by the water. A swimming pool is a very inclusive place.

The main practical issue is checking out the pool's protocols on Covid safety as they affect bookings/ sessions and changing.

[dun1urkin]

I agree that no one cares, and also with the comment that loads of people won’t even be able to see you properly as well!
One of the absolute joys of swimming, for me, is literally taking the weight off my feet.

Alongside, I wish it was ok to swim topless to let my boobs experience the joy of weightlessness and not be being either held up or strapped down (by a cozzie or a sports bra, or gravity)
I have let them out abroad/where it’s ok, but am often sad to not be able to do it in the local leisure centre

[GroggyLegs]

In my experience most people who swim(and run) just want other people to enjoy their sport too, they dont care about size or pace.

Go for it & enjoy the freedom! I love swimming

[slug]

Remember every short sighted swimmer will be swimming without their glasses or contacts at best you'll be a fuzzy blur to them. Even better, if you're short sighted, swim without contacts and the rest of them will be a fuzzy blur to you so you won't notice any disapproval (of which there won't be any)

As long as you don't go slowly in the fast lane, nobody will give a damn.

[clary]

Echo others, I am a swimmer and so glad to get back.

I've put on weight but I don't care, no one is looking at you. I wear glasses so I can't see anyone anyway, as PP say.

It's great exercise as it is supportive and low impact. I was so happy to swim again yesterday!

[lubeybooby]

I used to go swimming at bmi 52

bmi is now 28

these two things are connected - ish! A lot of careful and accurate calorie tracking was needed too. But anyway, yes go!

[TheStarMachine]

Yes! I love swimming too and got back into it last year after a very long break. I find it the most inclusive exercise and I feel more body confident in the water than anywhere else.

[Doona]

You see all sizes and shapes at the pool, don't worry. Everyone can do swimming.

[Doona]

It's hard to go swimming though, so I recommend doing it in steps and tricking yourself:

1. Just put your bathers on (you don't have to leave the house, just put them on with clothes on top)
2. Just drive to the pool (you don't need to go inside, you can just drive back if you want)
3. Just pay and enter (you can just walk along and look at the pool)
4. Just get in the water. Nobody is watching.
5. Swim!

[DoubleTweenQueen]

Everyone feels a bit self conscious in their swimmers.
Swimming is a fabulous form of exercise - low impact for joints.
Aquafit classes with foam dumbbells and music also fab, when it can get going again.
There is no reason you shouldn't be going swimming 🏊

[DoubleTweenQueen]

I would also add that most people at our pool are far from magazine or Insta ready!!

[MinnieMountain]

Another short-sighted swimmer saying go for it.

I’ve got a prominent scar which shows depending on my swimwear. I was nervous the first time I swam after I got it but really nobody cares.

Come join us on the swimming for fitness thread.

[Fairydustrust]

I love to go swimming and never even think about the size of anyone else in the pool. I am sure nobody does. Please be encouraged and just go enjoy it.

[fattygoesswimming]

I've signed up to start going, just need my swimming costume to arrive now or people might be looking at me 😂 I won't have my contacts in so I won't know if they do thougo

[DoubleTweenQueen]

Having ordered swimsuits for myself and both ddS, I have learned that we usually need to size up or at least order a couple of sizes/styles to find one that fits and is super comfy - just mentioning, as I would hate for you to be put off if you find you need to do this xx

[LizzieSiddal]

That’s brilliant! You’ll love it.

Remember you’ve just as much right to be there as anyone else and it is so good for you.
I used to go 2 to 3 times a week, I’ve put on weight this past 12 months and feel so unfit, I can’t wait to get back swimming.

[GeorgeandHarold66]

Yes, I go and I love it. Nobody can see your body when you're in the water anyway and tbh I don't think they're particularly interested anyway.

I'm very big and I love being in the water, it's the one time I don't feel like I'm lugging my body around with me.

[HalfShrunkMoreToGo]

I love swimming, have gone with a BMI of 40+ and now at BMI 26.

I wear a tankini top and men's swim shorts as feel more comfortable with my thighs covered,really looking forward to being able to get into primark so I can buy some new ones, my old ones are a bit too big now.