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.

Thank you OP for your thread. It’s really made me think. I’ve got a really bad relationship with how I look due to body dysmorphia and eating disorders. I’m now much more weight than I ever have been before and I really like your idea of feeling liberated and not caring what other people thing. I’d be so happy to get to that stage one day.

I totally agree OP! I'm a size 18 & even though I lost half a stone before my holiday I was still in size 18 clothes & thought "fuck it, hiding under a t-shirt on a sun lounger in the shade isn't going to make people think I'm a size 8" so I just didn't bother & got on with enjoying my holiday.

I can honestly say it's the best holiday I've ever been on because I didn't spend it worrying about what other people thought of me.

You should be allowed to wear and do whatever you want , most people are too focused on themselves so aren’t looking or judging others.
However I find it really really weird how on mn when someone mentions drinking too much everyone (quite rightly) points out how unhealthy it is and how you are damaging your health long term , risking cancers etc which is absolutely true but when people talk about being hugely overweight it’s all “well done”, “be you “ etc etc. I’m assuming it’s because lots of people responding are also overweight. Being that overweight also runs the higher risks (especially with fat around your middle) of cancers and other diseases. So while drinking too much and being overweight are both serious health concerns , one seems to be treated as though it’s normal. Obesity is becoming a huge problem here in Ireland at the moment.

Oh, definitely. People are so wrapped up in themselves and their families/friends that they don't care what anyone else looks like!

Even when I was jumping the waves, I must have looked like a mad woman, but no one even bothered! I had a huge smile on my face though and was having the best fun!

@Upsetrethis exactly.

I am size 22 but can never feel anything but highly self conscious. I do fit in an airplane seat ok though not that I go abroad much. The thing I hate most about being so overweight is the exhaustion, the chaffing in the heat etc. Desperately trying to lose weight currently so i can enjoy life a bit more but glad that you had a great holiday op. I'm just not sure every larger lady can feel like this.

@Upsetrethis obesity is normalised, promoted and celebrated now.

Oh @Happylady165 I wish you the very best with your journey and hope one day that you feel as beautiful as you are.

Well done @MamaDollyorJesus !

It is liberating, isn't it?

How to ruin someone's happy moment

Well down OP ! Also fat (size 18) -!: enjoying my holiday.
Yes we need to lose weight but it shouldn’t stop us enjoying life!

Good for you! Realising most people aren’t thinking about you - and even if some are, who the hell cares what they think?! - is the most liberating thing that can happen to you. Life is for living.

I agree. Who cares what other people think, but health wise, obesity shouldn’t be acceptable.

Btw I don’t think for a second anyone should feel ashamed or bad about themselves or their bodies and of course some people have health issues which can affect weight gain.
However, the amount of very overweight people now is really concerning - eating too much and in fact eating a lot of sugar like drinking a lot of alcohol (also mainly sugar) causes fatty liver. So when I see posts re people drinking too much alcohol and people rightly respond and say you are ruining your health and then other people describing themselves as v overweight and everyone’s patting them on the back it’s bizarre tbh.

I don't judge people on what they drink or what they eat because I am not a judgemental cow

No one is normalising of celebrating obesity on this thread. People are saying that the OP was right to not give a fuck what other people think of her and to just enjoy her holiday. Whether or not the OP and other overweight people need to lose weight for their health etc is a separate matter but the point is the OP is currently the weight that she is and there’s no reason she or any other big people shouldn’t go on holidays and enjoy themselves right now whether they are also looking to lose weight or not in the longer term.

@Upsetrethis I totally agree! As well as the fabulous parts of my holiday, I was also regularly out of breath climbing hills, constantly sweaty and I know for a fact that my weight triggers my endometriosis. Being fat isn't to be celebrated, but for those of us who are overweight and struggle with confidence, I think a little bit of solidarity and encouragement of confidence can go a long way. I hope the next time I'm jetting off i'm a healthy weight though.

OP I was literally just fretting about an upcoming holiday I have where it will be very hot and worrying about what I will wear etc. so I’m grateful for your post.

Have a great time @olympicsrock !!!

Well done OP, there’s no point hiding away and people should feel comfortable in their own skin and love their bodies. but unfortunately the fact is there are some mean spirited people around anyone so I do understand those who are reluctant to do certain activities when they’re overweight or obese.

Thank you for sharing OP and glad you're having a lovely holiday, no one gives a tiny rat's ass what people look like on the beach.

From personal experience though, I've been overweight in the heat and it's horrendous especially combined with the menopause. Went through it last year and I decided never again, I got my act together in January and have lost three stone. It was tough but the best thing I ever did.

@CorporaINobbyNobbs Lots of loose fabrics, pretty dresses and skirts worked for me with lots of pool and sea time to cool down. Don't forget the suncream! I'm sitting here nursing my burnt and itchy neck with calamine lotion.

Glad you had a great time OP. Unfortunately I met some of the kindred spirits of Camp Piss-Chips when I was away recently (and I was actually getting some exercise in the swimming pool) who made a comment intentionally loud enough for me to hear that "that one looks like a beached whale" which made me go back to hiding in the accommodation for the rest of the trip. Therefore I lost any physical exercise gains that I might have had during the trip - which makes their teeth gnashing faux-angst about the obesity epidemic even worse... if only they'd shut their fucking gobs huh?

Was not wearing anything particularly revealing either - swimming leggings over a one piece costume to spare any delicate eyes - perhaps I need to find a burkini for next time around.

I’m always in factor 50 OP ☺️. My issue is my shape is like you - all belly and boobs but I have skinny legs and arse so dresses can end up swamping my bottom half or emphasising huge belly. But fuck it I will look for a couple of nice things and not worry! (And for the people worried about my health I am also trying to lose weight in the longer term)

Well done OP. Glad you had a nice holiday.