Holiday of a lifetime woes

[Beachesandcream]

I know I am probably being unreasonable but think it’s a mixture of nerves and self confidence. We are booked to go a wonderful much wished for holiday to Disneyworld for the first time. I had great plans of getting fitter and loosing weight before we went but due to a number of things this has not gone to plan. I am definitely fitter than I was - regular swimming and walking has helped ( I have a long term health condition which can limit mobility) in fact my joints feel the best they have in a long time. However my weight has not budged and I now find myself with less than 2 weeks to go still wearing a size 22 . I have just been trying on my holiday clothes and feel frumpy and hate the way I look in them. My bust is huge it’s 38k, it’s never been smaller than a g cup even when I was a size 12. I hate the way clothes hang on me. I would love suggestions on clothes that may hang better / hide my big bust . I am quite tall nearly 5 ft 9. I am feeling really down when I want to feel excited, I know we will have the most wonderful time but also want to feel good about myself. I know it’s too late for me to look better before we go so not really sure what I will gain from writing this but don’t want to tell my family how I feel as they are so excited.

Get some shorts, I wore some for the first time in years, and buy linen tops. Americans are much bigger, you won’t feel self conscious. Don’t forget that you can put stick deodorant under your boobs too! Wearing pants liners or even pads meant for a light period can help when it’s all a bit hot and humid. And pack some Sudocreme because you can use it on chaffed skin, cuts, insect bites the lot.
think of all the steps you’ll be getting in!

Have a look at Rew Clothing. They’re designed and handmade in Wales, in limited quantities and are VERY forgiving yet chic. You can often pick up their pieces on Vinted too. They do dresses, tops and trousers (and shorts) that fit up to size 22.

https://www.rewclothing.co.uk/

Ignore anyone telling you to diet now. Work with what you have. Enjoy the trip, it’ll be knackering but fun.

Check out Carys Whittaker on instagram - she does a lot around body positivity and dressing for your size and how the clothes are the problem and not you. She has some fab holiday outfit ideas for bigger people and shows you can look fabulous at any size!

And also, I promise you’ll feel better when you get to Disney - there will be plenty people of all shapes and sizes, and of different levels of ‘frump’. It really does feel very inclusive in this way, and I promise you won’t feel out of place.

I could have written this post myself. we went last year for my 40th and I had a whole year to finally lose the weight. As always, the year flew around and I’d lost at best 7lbs. At 5’3 and a size 18, I thought I had ruined it for myself because ‘I hadn’t tried harder’ and was worried i would look and feel enormous. I needn’t have worried- there were tonnes of people there bigger than me, in a variety of shapes and sizes. The one common theme- everyone was there living their best lives, enjoying their dream holiday and just trying to keep cool no matter what their size. I packed baggy t-shirts, but in all honestly would have preferred vests as that humidity is something else and I permanently felt like a hot sweaty mess

I feel your pain. I have spent years planning to lose weight before a holiday and then failed to do so until the weeks crept down and it was too late. Worse than hating how I looked and not being able to wear nice clothes was the inability to walk far, or do steps or hills. Every bloody year.

This year I got myself in Mounjaro and lost 2 stone in the 8 weeks before the holiday..I could have done with starting a few months earlier and having lost 2 more but even so it made a big difference. No chub rub, no huffing and puffing from simple exertion.

The boobs are still huge which makes me still look large and the bra straps dug in in the heat and exertion but even so...

If you never want to go through this again, please consider Mounjaro..It has been nothing short of miraculous for me. I am no longer in the obese category after 8 weeks and I've not been able to achieve that in decades.

As for clothes, long tunics and floaty wide trousers, t shirts and knee length shorts, dresses with belts to avoid the dreaded handing down from the boobs effect. Chub rub shorts from snag.

Oh and you know that you will be a lot thinner than most people there!

Op get thee to the shops and buy the best fake tan you can afford. And keep applying it between now and your departure.

Also have a manicure and pedicure in a bright colour.

Next get the best haircut and colour that you can afford.

And take some Velcro rollers or a heat less curler with you to give your hair some bounce while you are away.

Throw in comfy sandals, a cotton wrap that you can use as a sarong or a pareo, a pair of sunglasses, a cross body bag, some skorts, T-shirts, comfortable trainers and possibly a sun hat and enjoy! 😃😃. You deserve to have a lovely holiday and enjoy your new found fitness! Hope you have a great time!

Ah OP, don't let this ruin your Disney experience. You're going to have a fabulous time! You've done so well to get fitter and improve your mobility, don't be too hard on yourself.

Honestly, comfort is everything in the Florida heat. Just wear something light and easy to move in. WDW is very casual and honestly, no one notices or cares what anyone else is wearing, everyone is having way too much fun.

When I'm feeling body-conscious, I sometimes I find it gives me a bit of a boost if I treat myself to things that enhance my appearance in other ways. Things like getting my hair and nails done, new accessories like a nice bag, some new trainers or earrings. Maybe some new make up. Could you treat yourself to a few bits that make you feel good before your trip, OP?

You’ll come back fitter as it’s a lot of walking around and maybe swimming ( if you go to the water parks etc) and I bet it’ll be great, try not to worry.

You sound a similar size to me.
Something I would recommend is being honest about what size you need to wear - clothes look much better when they comfortably fit, and sometimes that means going up a size.
A good well fitting bra.
I buy a lot of clothes from Roman and Yours - both seem to do a lot of summer clothes in larger sizes that fit really well and are very flattering. They also deliver pretty quickly!

Trust me, you’ll feel positively sylph-like in Orlando.

Honestly OP, please do not worry. We’ve been 3 times to Florida, I’m a size 18 and was worrying so much the first time myself. Once you’re there you will see there are so many different body shapes there - and a lot will be a lot larger. Nobody cares over there. I wore shorts which I would never wear in the Uk as a hate my legs so much, however it’s so hot over there at this time of year it’s more about keeping cool and avoiding any chub rub! Take anti chafing sticks, wear whatever you feel coolest in and make sure you have good, comfortable footwear that also dries well and you can walk easily in when wet. For me it was sketchers sandals - again something I wouldn’t wear in the UK! But they have straps to keep them on on any rides, and they kept my feet comfortable all day despite having plantar fasciitis.
denim is a no go as you will get wet on rides and in the random showers. Light materials that dry quickly for the win!
I hope you have a brilliant time, I would love to get back there one day.

forgot to say - a lot of the rides have a seat outside for you to test, so you can check you are comfortable in the ride seats before queueing.

My absolute lifesaver for Disney is a Body Glide anti chafe balm stick. It's a brand that serious cyclists use apparently, a bit more expensive than some alternatives, but works so well.

I used it on my feet every morning for 2 weeks and didn't get a single blister despite doing lots of walking and having quite delicate skin. It's also great for other areas that rub (I've been several times and never had Disney rash, can't say for certain but I think this is why).

Other than that, like everyone else says, just wear comfortable clothes, retreat for air con periodically, and enjoy it! It will be magical and no one will be judging about what you're wearing.

And I hope you're actually planning a trip to Beaches and Cream like your username suggests, because it's supposed to be great - I had a reservation there on my last trip but got ill and had to cancel it 😫

I could write an essay with Disney holiday tips and tricks because I love the planning stage, so feel free to DM me if you want!

I think it's all about perspective
9 months ago I was wearing a size 34 from yours .
Now I can't believe I'm wearing a size 22
I feel amazing,and I'm over 7 and a half stone down
I would adore a holiday in Disney

Simply be have a sale on at the minute
I've bought 5 new dresses ,that I feel fantastic in.
All for under £100
Have a look
Get some holiday clothes and look forward to going xx

Just to reinforce what everyone else has said, try and remember that the least important thing about you is the size of your body. Go and focus on the fun, and on the people you're with.

Anti-chafe shorts are a MUST. I'd recommend vest tops and linen shirts - they're easy and cool to wear and looks great - and they go with everything. Look online at women who are similar size and shape and see what works for them. There are some incredible women on Instagram who always look great, my favourites are:
https://www.instagram.com/lux_island/
https://www.instagram.com/molliecampsie/
https://www.instagram.com/laura.adlington/
https://www.instagram.com/rantsandbigpants/

Get your nails done, and buy a new lipstick. Choose some fab sunglasses. Embrace beautiful or fun earrings and ALL the Mickey ears!

Be in the photos. Do the things. Don't offer to be the photographer, the one who holds the bags, the one who misses out on the fun and the memory, just because you feel too uncomfortable in your own skin to take part. You're worth so much more.

Prioritise really comfy shoes and a couple of good bras.
Most people wear shorts, trainers and T shirts there and you’ll see lots of shapes and sizes.
When I went I bought a few pairs of shorts and about five pretty tops that covered my shoulders as a I have to be careful in the sun.
Could you do a massive Next online order and have a big trying in session at home?
Well done for improving your fitness.

Watch a couple of youtube videos on Disney World and you will see people of all sizes especially larger ones. Once you see the size of a portion of food you will realise why it is easier to be bigger in the US. You will have a fab time. I have been several times and my clothing is usually shorts but almost to my knee, t shirts or tank vest tops, ie wide straps, hair tied up due to the sweat and a baseball cap to keep the sun off my head. I wear Skechers trainers because they are incredibly comfy and do not rub my feet.

All shops, restaurants and the most of the transport system have air con. There are even (or used to be) cool down places which have giant fans and mist water onto you, near TomorrowLand Speedway in Magic Kingdom.

Take your time, wear what makes you comfortable. A lot of people are wearing bum bags and Mickey ears. Remember the US is hot, people sweat and are used to seeing people sweating too. They also sell a water spray bottle with a fan attached to cool you down should you need it.

I think nice cotton shirts, open at the neck are the most flattering and dome M&S chino shorts, socks and light trainers (Nike have good walking ones). Nice cap and mini fan!
And then enjoy yourself. Remember this is a special holiday, you deserve to have a nice time, and be good to yourself xxx

I shouldn’t worry about it, that’s a normal American size, just go and enjoy yourself, life is too short to worry!.

Go and enjoy your holiday and don’t dwell on your weight, there’s nothing you can do about it now. Just tell yourself you’ll work really hard when you get home and have a plan prepared. Have one final blow out and bloody enjoy it! Please don’t beat yourself up about it.

I find loose cotton or linen type maxi or midi dresses with chub rub shorts under are the coolest in the heat, or jumpsuits. You are covered up so you don't burn, but still wafty.

I went to Disneyworld earlier this year and what struck me about the general fashion was the sheer number of Disney themed t shirts people were wearing, they were lovely and a nice thing to people spot while in the queues. So if you want to feel like you fit in go for an on brand t shirt and whatever is comfy on your bottom half. You’ll look like you’re fun and belong in that crowd, not a thought given to size. Have a great time too, it’s fabulous!

I'm a 22 and have just come back from a holiday during the heatwave.
I just rotated floaty maxi dresses with my chub rub shorts underneath, sandals and a floppy hat and I felt pretty everyday and in no way self conscious. For me empire line maxi dresses are the way to go for comfort and style

Nobody cares what you look like at Disneyworld. Trust me. I'm here now and there are plenty of women larger than size 22.