DS reluctant to restart swimming because of weight gain

[redpenscribbles]

DS (11) has been going to swimming lessons for a few years and has really enjoyed them, however he hasn't gone for most of the last year as the leisure centre has had to shut due to covid.
He's always been a big child, although usually strong and active and not overweight, but has put on weight on over lockdown and is now quite chunky.
We are working on other things around his weight - focusing on us all eating more healthily as a family as well as doing more exercise together - so I don't want to go too much into that.
The leisure centre has now restarted lessons but DS is incredibly self-conscious about his weight and doesn't want to wear swim shorts in front of everyone. He's very reluctant to start swimming again because of this.
On the one hand, I really feel for him because I can see how self-conscious and embarrassed he is, but on the other, he really does love swimming and getting back into it will help with his general fitness and the weight. I also really don't want him to quit something he loves because of this and possibly never get back into it.
I was thinking of getting him one of those lightweight full torso costumes that are like combined shorts/shirt. I think he'd be okay with that as a compromise but the ones I've seen mostly seem to be for much younger children and not for pre-teens.
Has anyone else had something similar with a child? What did you do?

Would he be willing to do couch to 5k with you and hold off on the swimming for a few months? I know you’re trying to get him back to what he loves doing but, whatever he wears, if he’s so self conscious at the moment one comment from another child or adult could really put him off swimming.

Ds went through a stage of wanting to wear a rash vest with his trunks. I bought them in M&S or John Lewis, I think. But I think the big sports brands also sell them - Nike etc. You buy them as separates so can buy a larger vest than trunks, if that’s his shape. Plain colours too.

I am also taking DS out for walks with me. I started walking at the start of the year, combined with more mindful eating, so I try and walk for 90 minutes three times a week.

One of the things that has worked for us is DS not getting the school coach one morning a week, and we will walk to school together, which is about 45 minutes, and then I walk back. So I get my 90 minutes in, and he does 45 minutes just as part of his normal day. Are there opportunities like that within your week?

Decathlon sells triathlon suits which are long all in one top and shorts- I love wearing a trisuit, covers everything! Just beware decathlon comes up very small so size up. He can tell people he's training for a triathlon, they'll think it's great! (There are actually some entry level events which are very accessible if he does decide to try one)

Aw, bless him. My DS (10.5) also gained a fair bit of weight during lockdown and was feeling very self-conscious. We had a fair few "making healthy choices" conversations and told him that getting back to his usual level of exercise would make all the difference. And it has. He is already starting to slim down again with swimming and school PE. We've also talked a lot about puberty and how sometimes you get "wider" before you get taller. There are kids of all shapes and sizes at his swimming club and a good few who are clearly carrying a bit of extra lockdown weight, so he's not so self-conscious there. Maybe there will be similar at your DS lessons? In the meantime, could he maybe wear a rash vest and jammers? Eg:

www.mountainwarehouse.com/036897-rash-vest-ls-kids-twin-set-p30383/blue/

www.speedo.com/uk/en/boys-colourblock-jammer-black/812875G018.html

Can you take him swimming at a different time-later at night or early in the morning when its more adult/lane swimmers? Hopefully he will feel less self conscious and also will see plenty of different shapes and sizes. Also maybe double check that the pool are happy with whatever costume/all in one you decide upon so there aren’t any problems which might make him embarrassed. Good luck.

My 10yo wears a shortie wetsuit from Decathlon (I agree on sizing being small). Another child on the same grade wears one too.
One boy at school swimming wore a rash vest at 9.

If running is of interest, parkrun is due to return on 5th June. At 11 he could do 2k junior parkruns on Sundays or the 5ks on Saturdays. The 11-14 group are being temporarily held off until the 5ks resume in order to manage numbers.

Thanks everyone. Lots of good suggestions. I'm really pleased I asked! I might have a look at the shortie suits or rash vest. I've emailed his teacher and asked if they're allowed.
We've started couch to 5k together. He gripes about it a bit when we start but he enjoys it once we get going and he quite happily bops along to his music .
I might have a look at parkrun in the future, although we have other commitments on Sat/Sun mornings at the moment so it's out for the short term.

My DS (12) always wears a rash top. I insisted he wore them on the beach because he burns easily on the beach but he started wearing them for indoor swimming as well. He's a self- conscious pre-teen!

Swimming is such great exercise, I agree it would be great to get him back into it.

Rash vest in a dark colour. My DS is overweight and feels much more confident in one. They are pretty tight but at 11 your DS will probably be fine in an adult male size small. Next sell them as well as all the sports shops eg Mountain Warehouse.