To feel self conscious in a swimming costume

[Olive180]

I really enjoy swimming and have been going regularly for years, but can't get over feeling incredibly self conscious in a swimming costume, both in and out of the water. I just find my upper thigh/bikini area being on show very uncomfortable. I've tried to find a costume with shorts but they're always gaping around the crotch area! I've noticed absolutely no women at the pool ever wear shorts. Nobody else seems to have no problem - is it just my problem?

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I've a little inner thigh baggage!

I have an all-in-one shorts and tankini-type suit from Decathlon, which is ace.
On the beach I often wear a bikini top and board shorts, with a rash vest too if I feel like covering up.

I lived in Asia for years, and it's normal there to protect your skin and be covered on the beach, however you want to do it. I'm fair, and really can't be arsed with suncream all over anyway.

And yes, no one really cares. We may notice each other's bodies for a fleeting second, but so what? 🤷
I'm always thinking how great it is to see everyone out exercising and enjoying themselves. I notice women oozing confidence whatever shape or size and I admire that, rather than the so-called 'perfect' body. Smile, say hello to other women, be happy and make exercise places friendly and welcoming to everyone.

I have leg suits from speedo, decathlon and Slazenger. I'm early 50s, 3 stone overweight, a size 18 in swimwear and have learnt not to give a toss. Sometimes I even wear a normal suit and don't bother trimming my bikini line. I look like a barrel on legs. No fucks given. I can swim over a mile in under 40 minutes so I don't care what I look like.

I do know what you mean op - we're all walking around nearly naked and its ok because we're in a room with a big pit full of water?! But no one else seems to care so i don't either.

I'm a size 20 and regular swimmer in pool and sea. I wear normal one piece swimsuits.

Absolutely no one cares.

And if they did care what I look like, that's on them - it has fuck all to do with me or my life.

Work on either building up your self esteem so you can live the life you want to, or acknowledging your over inflated ego - which ever has you thinking people are paying you any attention or more than a fleeting glance, work on that.

Once you realise no one actually cares, it can hurt for a minute, but ultimately it's hugely liberated.

Second the lands end shorts, they are lined. Oh and honestly, most people don't give a flying fig what anyone looks like.

What about Jammers with a tankini top.

I was swimming earlier and seen a girl with shorts and a T-shirt on, presumably over swimwear. I had a basic swimming costume on.

I would say she's in far better shape than me and much 'smaller'. Just shows anyone can be self conscious I suppose.

And just a side note, I only looked at the girl because she had some nice tattoos on her arm, not because of what she was/wasn't wearing

I don't mean this in a snarky/rude way at all. But literally nobody cares what you look like. In the pool there are bodies from the skinniest to the fattest and everything in between.
Wear what you feel comfortable in - I often do tankini style shorts (like short bike shorts) and a rash vest, which is pretty normal where I live, or sometimes a standard one piece cossie, sometimes a rash-vest style cossie (so a cossie with long sleeves and a high neck. Life is way too short to worry about your wobbly bits in the pool. Enjoy your swimming :)

Whereas I absolutely agree with everyone saying nobody is looking at you and nobody cares, I do also understand this is about your own confidence.
CurvyShe have some quite nice styles that are a little bit different

The gaping is with 'boyleg' suits I presume? They're a bit rubbish. I have a Speedo legsuit, covers over half my thighs. It's far more comfortable than elasticated seams cutting into your fat and thighs.

That’s exactly how I feel too! I really like wearing board shorts - I we‘ve got no problem wearing a bikini top with them, but I do like a bit more cover around the hips and my upper thighs.

Yep, this.
They aren’t looking at you OP, they don’t care.

No one else tells you they feel self-conscious, I expect many are, possibly in some places a majority.

Hope one of the suggestions is good for you.

OP, yes it is your problem but it is not a case of being unreasonable. It is a case of convincing yourself that not everyone is looking at you, go and enjoy the pool. Swimwear of significant bulk often is more noticeable than more "standard stuff", just go for what you want and try to close your eyes to anyone else around you.

I'm in my 40s and at the beach, where I can, I still go topless. Obviously not all beaches and not at the pool, but just go swimming and be you.

I wear short but not for self confidence reasons, I just like them - I am tall and so a 2 piece tends to fit better, and I've got different tops so can mix and match which is nice for a change.

Ah thanks everyone for all your suggestions.
I meant to say I don't particularly have body image issues, I'm of average shape and build. I just feel very exposed!

The leg suits I find that fit don't fit me around the crotch, there's too much material? Maybe I have a short body or a small lady area?! But some good suggestions here I'll check out :)