To tell you that if you're overweight and worried about going on holiday, don't be!

[SpeedbirdSquawker]

I'm almost 24 stone and a size 24. I'm lucky enough to be able to get away a few times a year, but my weight has always held me back doing things. I know other overweight people have similar fears, so I was hoping to alleviate those with this post.

Firstly I worry about the flight and if i'm going to fit into the seat. I always need a seatbelt extender (with Ryanair, not so much with other airlines), but I fit in the seat absolutely fine! I use the toilet onboard and have room to manoeuvre.

When I have been away, the beach is always full of the people with perfect bodies, as is the complex pool and i've always avoided the beach (for fear of looking like a beached whale) and i've only used the pool when it's empty, first thing or just before sunset.

I don't eat out at restaurants because I thought people might judge me scoffing my face.

Well, this holiday, I thought to fuck with it all. I ate out in restaurants. I went to the beach and even stripped off to my swimwear and went in the sea. It was liberating! I sunbathed on the beach. I went in the pool at busy times. You know what, people didn't bat an eyelid? I got friendly hellos and people were more busy with themselves and the people they were with to even look at me and if they did, to give me a second glance.

I know that being overweight can put some people off living life to the full, but please just do it.

You admit you're a fat shamer, I see.

Go you!

I'm actually less self conscious as a fatty than I ever was as a thin person. I look back now in horror at how I felt and how I covered up when I was slim

@Catusrusty me too. Sorry you ferl this way. I will too die unhappy witb my body. I have never liked the way o look. Even though im a size 6 blonde. People think slimmer people with blonde hair feel great. Not met many who do. Women in general have a shit deal when it comes to bodies and confidence. I hope i bring my own daughters up to lobe who they are but society shoves it down our throats from day dot so its unlikely.

I went to the South of France when I was still wearing a maternity swimsuit out of shame for my new shape. Everyone was wearing bikinis - fat, thin, old, young. I went and bought my first proper bikini and never looked back. No one cared. I was bikini-ready whatever my size. Confidence is what matters. And a well-fitting bikini is the best confidence booster there is

I love the op post , for the past 5 years I've been heavier than I'd like to be but this past couple of weeks I thought chuff it and have been out in my shorts on holiday and at home and they give my bum a lovely shape

Brave girl, just enjoy yourself regardless. I know you will feel sympathy for an eighty-year-old like me: shrunken flesh, varicose veins, cellulite, operation scars: I felt I had to wear a swim top with sleeves and full length swim tights, otherwise all the “beautiful people “ and there ain’t many of them , would scream & run away when they saw my raddled body on the beach.

I would rather sit next to the OP on the plane than some of the other posters on this thread! We might spill over into each others seats but I bet we would have a good chat until we arrived at our destination!
I am currently around 16 stone, has OP inspired me to gain more weight by saying what she has? No, of course not. Accepting fat bodies doesn't mean people don't care about their weight/health it just means that people who are bigger don't have to feel crushing shame every time they step outside.
I enjoyed reading OPs points, she sounds great and I hope everyone gets to feel good on holiday!

@Annemaria you should wear everyone of those eighty years with pride and slap
Or whatever you feel comfortable in. A bikini would feel liberating surely!

I think many people are too busy hating on themselves to pay attention to others. I'm a size 8 and I bet you'd think I look fine. I HATE being in swimwear of any kind, I feel exposed and lumpy and shrivelled and cellulity. I never judge others on the beach, too busy judging myself (and admiring those with good bodies and thinking 'if only'......). Glad you shook off this pointless train of thinking, wish I could.

Rules to live by

This is interesting if you have a spare 20 minutes.

@GillianMcQueef I love it. Reason I wear thin leggings frequently under shorter summer dresses is it stops me getting sore thighs in hot weather- sometimes will wear chub rub type shorts too under knee length dresses .

Certain People can be so judgemental on here with the 'that's not on trend' stuff- particularly on style and beauty- once made the mistake of joining in a convo about Fat Face/ white stuff dresses- blimey- will be avoiding style and beauty- the ironic thing is if leggings under dresses were 'totally the rage' - then all would be fine.

@Comedycook "Hang on...everyone on the beach and poolside has perfect bodies....?"

Don't worry Comedycook, when we went on holiday to Greece a few weeks ago that certainly wasn't the case. In fact, I'd say that 95% of the people around the hotel pool were overweight or obese, but were all completely unconcerned about displaying their ampleness in teeny tiny bikinis or swimming trunks. It was mainly Brits at the hotel, which was all-inclusive, so I thought they might be an unrepresentative sample, but it was the same on the beaches we visited too, where there was a much wider mix of different nationalities and ages. My particular holiday hangup was stripping off at age 72, especially after my husband made a face and an exaggerated shuddering noise when I mentioned that I had bought a couple of new bikinis. In the event though, my wrinkled aging flesh excited as little comment as those directed at the two plus, plus, plus size young women sporting ill-advised thongs, who spent their whole time cavorting in the pool and having a jolly good time! I can guarantee that no one but you will care about your size or perceived body flaws. Have a wonderful holiday!

I was a much younger size 10. Now that I've put on years I put on weight. I'm also a size 24. So far aeroplane straps fit me. I do worry about my weight. I lost 17 kilo and then broke my shoulder and spent 6 weeks in bed. I put most of it back on but have lost the want to lose it again. I'm too embarrassed to wear
Beachwear. I have an enormous stomach.
Good for you. I'm very pleased you are now relaxed.
How mean the other person is.

Oh my god, the anti leggings under dresses lot on s&b are hilarious! I often wear three-quarter length black or leopard footless tights under dresses for the same reason you do. And also because I happen to think it looks brilliant. I wear 70s style lurex dresses (I have quite the collection) and platform sandals/clogs with them but apparently I'm 'frumpy' for doing so (they never call men frumpy though, I notice).

They get so wound up on there over the most ridiculous things 😂

I love love love this post op, I’m starting to wear different clothes and colours after living in black for years and this is because I’ve started following plus size instagrammers who have given me more confidence to just go for it. I had a smile on my face when you said how free and happy you felt, so lovely to hear. And for all the eye rolling “don’t promote obesity” blah blah blah people . . . . just don’t comment. As was said in a post no one chooses to be overweight, for some people it’s an addiction or they have multiple health conditions and yes I am one of the overweight people encouraging op to remain “fat & unhealthy” by saying “well done” honestly get over yourselves!

@GillianMcQueef ah a woman after my own taste- at 61 I think it looks great too- leggings, trainers, dress just above knees and I'm sorted

Go you with the confidence!!! I'm off to Majorca next Wednesday, size 24 and I've bought some kick ass tankinis and swimsuits, paired with fabulous cover ups, scarves, hats and generally brilliant accessories- mostly from Shein and I'm going to rock them around the pool.

We took our daughter abroad last year for the first time abroad since she was born, I was dreading being in swimwear with my new ‘mom bod’ knowing she’d want to play in the pool a lot. It was very refreshing that all other moms round the kids pool looked the same and no one cared!

Need to remind myself of this when abroad in sept after just having our second! I needed this post thanks OP

@*GillianMcQueef I love it. Reason I wear thin leggings frequently under shorter summer dresses is it stops me getting sore thighs in hot weather- sometimes will wear chub rub type shorts too under knee length dresses .

Certain People can be so judgemental on here with the 'that's not on trend' stuff- particularly on style and beauty- once made the mistake of joining in a convo about Fat Face/ white stuff dresses- blimey- will be avoiding style and beauty- the ironic thing is if leggings under dresses were 'totally the rage' - then all would be fine.*

Oh gosh leggings under a dress is totally my look too. I feel comfortable and confident in the clothes I wear and don't actually give a shiny shit whether other people find me stylish or not... I don't exist to be pleasing to the eye of a random stranger 🤷🏽‍♀️

Love this OP! That's what we should all do regardless off size, I'm a size 26 and wouldn't have the confidence for this though, but take my hat off to people who don't give a damn, and just want to enjoy their holiday.

That first comment broke my heart after reading such a wonderful post. I agree with the OP, nobody gives a crap and if they do, it's on them.

I love this comment. Reminds me of a sticker I saw that said "I may be fat, but you're ugly and I can diet". Petty yes but jeeeezus when will people stop commenting on other people's bodies ESPECIALLY when the point of a post is to say "friendly reminder - it's ok to be who you are"???

I love this post - thank you for reminding us that it's not a crime to live in a bigger body than other folks. I had the same experience I. Tenerife recently - nobody even blinked at my body or anyone else's when I was in the pool, on the beach, at a water park... bravo to you for having a wonderful time!! We are allowed to enjoy ourselves!!!

Hi
I'm in tenerife at the moment by the pool all sorts of shapes and sizes is anyone taking any notice of anyone else no.
Everyone enjoy your holidays whatever your size. Get those cosies, tankinis or bikinis whatever your comfortable in on and get from under your coveralls.
Is the first trip to the pool a bit daunting mine was but arrived late Monday its now Wednesday and its all good.
Sear belt extenders if you need on you need one they don't bat an eyelid when you ask. Flew with tui last year no extender needed this year I did( no change in my weight) I'm blaming the menopause lol
Anyway ignore the mean comments and enjoy x