To think that there's no solution for me (fat legs and the beach)

But they don't cover your legs

Yea, all of this. I have horrible fat upper arms as well as massive thighs and cankles - even when I was a size ten they were disproportionately large. I’m in my 40s now and increasingly DGAF about getting them out in display, especially on holiday when I’ll never see these people again. Embrace not caring, OP! I guarantee you don’t look as bad as you think, I guarantee there will be fatter people there and I guarantee no one will care/mind if you show your legs.

I have shit legs, take after my father (remember Ernie Wise?) Short fat hairy legs 😂 I run though, every morning and it's transformed them, they're short hairy and toned 😉

@JMSA I very recently came to the realisation that I will probably never be slim again due to various medical issues. No idea what sparked my thinking whilst driving home from work one day but I suddenly thought to myself why am I so bothered about how I look, this is me, it’s not going to change overnight and I only have one life so I need to enjoy it. I’ve spent the last 5-6 years keeping my arms/legs and of course tummy as covered as I can. Don’t get me wrong I will not be wearing hot pants or a mini skirt anytime soon but the following day I did wear a knee length dress to work. I did clock one colleague give them a swatch but probably as she’s never seen them before 🤣 Life’s too short, enjoy your holiday and anyone who has a mean thought has far too much time on their hands.

It is possible to have lipoedema and little or no pain. There are certain characteristics such as the texture of the skin (and you can feel the nodules under the skin if you know what you’re looking for), tenderness, unexplained bruising, spider veins, bulging fat pads (especially at the knees), saddlebags, column shaped legs etc. You can also have it on your arms - I do unfortunately 🙄

I have and always have had big legs with veins and horrible shaving spots. Have always worn sarongs as soon as I get out of the sea/pool. I've always tried to think that nobody cares but could never quite convince myself. We have just finished a holiday in Spain and for the first time ever I have (mild) tan lines on my bum from my cozzie. I am as fat as I have always been and still look (to me) as awful as I always have but this year I looked around and noticed that everyone has imperfections in their swimsuits and yet I still thought they looked great. I just went with it and for the first time since being a kid I stopped giving a shit. A beer with lunch helped! It honestly made the holiday so much better and my legs look slightly less horrifying with a tan now. I would highly recommend this approach x

I can confirm you're not the only one! I always take note that on the way back I'm paler than the new people just getting off the plane ready to start their holiday!

Enjoy your holiday! Life is too short to give a crap.

Nobody is looking at your legs - apart from your partner who I’m am sure loves you from your head to your toes ❤️

I’m afraid the only thing you can do is throw money at the situation. Get yourself a spray tan before you go and a bottle of Mac face and body ( I use two and mix to the right colour). There are other water resistant leg make ups as well but I tried the Sally Hansen and it’s horrible. I think vita liberta do one as well. I have bad varicose veins and am very self conscious of them and use leg makeup over fake tan on all occasions I have to bare my legs

I'm really obsessed with how my thighs look honestly. I've loads of cellulite and have started walking and running to slim them down. But on holiday I kind of forget. A bit of a tan helps.

@WheresTheForum I've often wondered if I have this mildly but then I don't get any pain, and my shape is a lot more common where I'm from so maybe just my genetics.

Having a serious O. Henry Gift of the Magi moment here...
Because I'm literally sat here as a skinny leg skinny arm egg-torso person (basically Humpty Dumpty), packing for a beach holiday, thinking I'd give anything for a waistline because fat legs and bums are easy to hide and don't look that bad even in a bikini but my big tum and wobbly back lumps are soooo gross and I hate them...

Moral is, we all hate our own bits and envy each other's so enjoy your beach (and you shouldget a nice sarong and I should get a kaftan thingy)

Fuck anyone that looks at anyone’s body and judges them! Bloody own your beautiful working body and enjoy your well deserved holiday ❤️❤️

Think back to holidays you’ve been on before. Can you remember what anyone else’s legs look like? Or what their tummy looked like? Can you remember thinking ‘oh they shouldn’t have worn that’.

I bet you don’t, you remember all the good times you had but definitely not what others looked like in their swimsuits.

I guarantee people are too busy either enjoying their holiday or worrying about what they look like to care about what you look like. And if on the off chance someone is looking and judging, let them. Your memories of an amazing holiday will last far longer than someone’s memories of what your legs look like.

Fake tan works wonders but the best thing I found was changing the conversation - instead of “I hate my legs” it became “my legs are strong and have never let me down” sounds at bit woo but it worked for me.

By the way, all these people saying they have big legs - check out lipoedema, it’s much more common than people realise.

That’s a great idea! why haven’t I thought to do that?!

I have lipoedema and my legs are hideous. I wear swim shorts (like board shorts) and I feel so much more comfortable. I wear a nice swimsuit and stick a sarong on if I want to wander round. Honestly, I makes me so much more relaxed around the pool.

Honestly all I ever think about anyone is ‘good for her enjoying her holiday’.

Also people think I am really brave - you know how cold the sea can be in the UK - well I don't go in slowly, I dash in asap to cover up!

I wear a swim dress and leggings, honestly it was a game changer for me
I know it’s better to not give a shit what I look like and believe me I don’t care about my face and hair ! But the legs I just can’t get past- I never wear shorts or skirts

I have ridiculously wobbly thighs - when I see larger women at the beach, I don't think they are revolting, I wish I had their confidence and am very pleased they are happily enjoying the sun and the sea.

Last year I went for a very early swim and set my camera up to take a video of myself. When I watched it all I could see was cellulite! I sent it to my best friend, my daughter and my chap. They were all 'Oh my god - you look so happy' 'look at your smile' 'what a gorgeous video' 'you lucky thing' 'more of this!' etc etc - at no point did they block or disown me, or need to lie down after being subjected to my wobble 😁

I'm really big and my legs are massive, I know what you mean, my friend is bigger than me but has slim calves so looks better in dresses. I wear gorgeous maxi dresses and have lovely sarong and cover up, but honestly I refuse to let it spoil my holiday. You will 100% look worse if you try to cover up, get the best cossie you can, stride to the sea, swim , sunbathe , laugh and enjoy, no one will care, and if they do frankly fuck em.
I'm going away with my friends and will feel a bit self conscious but I will not let it ruin my precious holiday.

No - that’s me as well. I have fat legs with thread veins and need the fake tan to stop me being the whitest person on the beach, but I’m usually that by the end.

Unless I’ve burned and then I’m the reddest person on the beach.

I just march into the water until only my top half ( by far the best half) is showing. Yes, I need to lose weight but if it hasn’t happened by holiday time I don’t let that spoil the holiday.

Is there any chance you could have Lipoedema? I think I have had it since puberty and honestly the stress I’ve had about my legs being bigger and veiny even when I was slim. I haven’t had an official diagnosis of Lipoedema but all the online photos are exactly the same as my legs. I’m lucky I don’t get pain or anything. Since hearing about it though it’s given me much more peace of mind. I realised it was something I couldn’t help and it’s made me feel so much better about myself somehow. Which is silly as it didn’t matter before I had a label, but somehow knowing I’m not ‘lazy’ or something makes me feel better.

Do follow the other advice about just enjoying your holiday though, I hope you have a lovely time!