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

[JMSA]

I am very overweight and am going to Greece next month. I am making a massive effort to lose weight, but let's face it, I've left it too late.
I really envy overweight people who have decent legs! You can conceal a flabby stomach or bum with good 'shaping' swimwear. But you can't cover up fat, toddler-like legs. Of course you can put on a sarong or cover-up while wafting around the pool. But the thought of the dreaded walk between sunlounger and sea/pool is leaving me cold! I'd look ridiculous with one of the skirted swimsuits, and there's no point because the skirt is too short. Swim leggings might make me stand out more than just my actual legs!
Is there a solution I haven't come across?
Thank you.
PS I've always had bad legs, even at my slimmest. The varicose veins and corned beef tinted skin don't help the cellulite either.

It fades quicker if you go in the pool but I take some fake tan in a can to top up

Echoing the lipoedema suggestions. I have it and if anybody on this thread thinks they might then I urge you to see a doctor as compression can make a big difference. I am slowly having private surgery in Germany to get rid of it but MLD massage and compression have made a big difference! You get two pairs of compression on the NHS but not much else. It's common but lots of medical professionals either confuse it with lymphoedema or have never heard of it all.

Please don't wear bloody board shorts so some long swim dress, this is Greece, no one will care except you and your sweaty thighs as you bake under the sun. Get yourself a bikini, big sunglasses and rock it. Focus on the feel of the sun on your skin, thank you legs for getting you to the pool in the first place and have a swim and a cocktail. Think about how much of your day you spend thinking about random people's legs.... I bet zero.

You can get shorter and light material board shorts. Men wear them all the time. Why do women have to have their entire legs and arse cheeks exposed while men can be comfortable and covered?

I always feel a bit self conscious in swimwear on holiday too but for completely different reasons to you. I remind myself that no one cares except me and that I am exaggerating my 'faults' anyway.

We don't usually hang out all day with very little on, with a ton of time to observe what everyone else is doing / looks like. We dont have to come to terms with the 'exposure' in everyday life so it feels uncomfortable. But really, no one cares. If I see an over weight person showing a lot I often envy their confidence TBH.

But your leg issue is easily solved with a sarong, longer pair of shorts or lightweight wide trousers. Even a large beach towel.

And I saw beachwear ankle length dress cover ups out shopping the other day - long is very much IN apparently.

Another one who opts for browner, not so milkbottley, legs that will always be of the chunky variety. Also, although a fake tan can't protect, you often do go slightly browner from a fake tanned start point.

In a salon, they often do it by a person spraying the tan evenly onto the areas you want to have it, from a fine spray with a continuous coverage. It dries on you. There is a tint in it so they can see where they have already been. When the colour develops over a day, you can then shower it off.

If you do it yourself, get a good cream or mousse, and exfoliate gently on 2 days before. If shaving, leave a good gap between shaving and doing the tan as otherwise you may get it collecting in little hair follicles.

You smooth it on, and then I recommend using a fine cloth or a tanning mitt to rub gently over the bumpy areas like knees and bones, about 15 minutes later so that the absorption is more even. There should be various online tips about doing your own. (I am cack handed but have got to be ok about this).
NB - if ever fake tanning your face, don't forget your ears!

I started swimming lessons and just bought a nice swimming leggings that are 3/4 i.e. just below the knee and a rash vest (basically a swimming tshirt). I feel much more comfortable and also handy if you need to go to the toilet don't have to take whole swimming costume off etc.

I like going to beaches but I don't go there to get a 'tan' I want to protect my skin a bit so don't mind being covered up so long as its the right material. End of the day hot sun on your bare skin or if your wearing lightweight material - you will still feel hot and sweaty.

The best way to make your legs look better is to put your chin up, put your shoulders back and put a smile on your face. I notice confident happy people. I don't care how big or white their legs are.

This has reminded me of a tip in a teen magazine in about 1998/99 that to disguise fat legs at the beach just dig a slight trench in the sand for your legs and place them in so the fat doesn’t squish outwards. And my mates and I actually doing it in Greece that summer.

Anyway!! Please don’t worry, enjoy your holiday, enjoy your life!! You only get one. Will you spend time on your death bed wishing you’d covered your legs up more and gone in the pool less? Also remember my aunt’s mantra as she put on a tiny bikini at every sun ray “brown fat looks better than white fat” (assuming you’re white because of the corned beef comments!).

I have these in several colours and love them. also v self councious of my legs. but if you dislike leggings then you may not like them. I just love them and can lounge around all day in them.

Aleumdr Womens Fashion Cross Rope Front Printed Tankini with Boyshort Swimming Costume Sporty Racerback Swimsuit Purple XX-Large : Amazon.co.uk: Fashion

But i do usually find other people care far less than you think. People are naccissists (not in a bad way) but usually too wrapped up in their own world to pay you attention

Literally came back from Corfu last week, full of people of all shapes and sizes and ages. People are going on holiday to enjoy themselves, the beach, the food, and not to judge others. Have a great time!

Exactly. There’s nothing wrong with board shirts, especially if it makes you feel comfortable.

Oooh I’m planning this! Are you interested in talking about this on another thread?

On my first holiday abroad I couldn’t understand why all the bigger girls were all covered up. Years later there are all shapes, sizes, & ages, & they are all wearing their bikinis or swimsuits. I tell you this my gurl, they look far more attractive than the slimmer girls. Nobody wants a bone. Lamp some fake tan on & off you go, the wipes are good from Savers.

I have these swim capris

www.evans.co.uk/swim-capri-navy?catfilter=eyJpZCI6IjExMTAyIn0%3D

I absolutely hate my legs and these give me more confidence. I don't actually care if they make me look daft, the make me feel better and that's what matters.

Yep, definitely! Just tag me! Or a PM! There's also a Facebook group: Global Lipoedema Awareness - Surgeries/Doctors It's been quite the ride for me so delighted to share my knowledge/experience.

Ah just such a gorgeous post to read x

I'm the same. I carry a lot of my weight in my legs, always have done.

TBH, I've just reached the point of brazen it out. This is my body, this is what it looks like. Honestly, no one cares as much as you do, and the moment you accept that, the happier you are.

I am morbidly obese with hairy, veiny legs and don’t give a hoot about what other people think. If anyone stares at me they see only whatever they deserve to see.

enjoy the water x

You have my sympathy because I am also v overweight and going to Greece next month, if it’s mainly the top of your legs - how about swim shorts with a Tankini top?

But TBH no one is going to notice your legs on the walk between the sun lounger and the pool, or on the sun lounger. Get yourself a nice sarong to swan around in the rest of the time.

Get fake tan done before you go - makes anyone’s legs look better.

I think in Greece swimming leggings might make you feel a bit stand out, but maybe take a pair and see how you feel.

I don't have time to rtft, so apologies if this has been mentioned, but ladies with big veiny legs please have a Google of a disease called lipoedema. The NHS offer next to nothing in way of treatment but at least you know its not your fault if you think it may be you! I'm stage 3, have had 2 leg and 1 arm surgeries both in the UK and Germany and still can't wear bloody shorts or a vest top!! 🤣

Short term, it's fake tan and a sarong. It is rather annoying when posters say 'I'm sure your legs are fine' (thats about where I stopped reading tbh) because unless you've come across lipoedema you won't understand just how different we do look, but I get it and long floaty clothes are actually quite elegant so head in that direction rather than shorts. Have a fab time!

I have fat pale legs too - I look terrible in shorts. I wear dresses sometimes but mostly keep my legs covered. I wear a swim dress usually as it makes me feel a bit more comfortable. I guarantee nobody cares that much about your legs though! We are our own harshest critics

Not sure if anyone will see this as the thread has moved on but if you are not body confident I highly recommend following Laura Adlington on instagram - she was on Bake Off in 2020 and is amazing

100% the same for me ! My legs are truly revolting. My family always took p* out of them. My ex husband said they put him off me.
All my exes have commented on them. When I was slim I often had comments from total strangers how I was so slim yet my legs didn't match. Now I'm a lot fatter & there is nothing nice about me. Legs are quite painful too, knees & ankles agony some days. Arms are joining in now. Simply cannot lose weight even on liquid diet. A big lady at work lost 5 stone on same diet. Me? 2 kilos then nothing. Lipodema is the pits. Even friends don't get it & say their legs are slim because they run/walk/gym/swim. As though I'm stationary my whole life! I actually probably exercise more than they do. I wish, wish I could say sod it. But I can't. I cringe at even showing a cankle. I've had no relationship for decade as I'm sick of put downs. I hope OP is braver than me & I bet her legs aren't anywhere near as bad as mine. Dare to bare. She should be brave for all of us & we want pics!!

https://www.tiktok.com/@jos_unfiltered_life?_t=8dMEgvK7dXO&_r=1

Grab a cuppa and watch this woman on tiktok. She's got big legs and cares not a jot!