Really want to swim in my pool but I won’t

[Sheateallthehummusagain]

It’s ridiculous, live abroad so it’s very hot, have a large above ground pool. It’s getting darker now, I have lights all around it and in the garden and the water is warm. I just never go in it though! especially not in the day. We are overlooked by a couple of houses, but not hugely and i’m sure they wouldn’t be looking.
I’m the same at the beach, long to swim in the sea, but don’t anymore
It’s down to feeling self conscious now, i’m a large size 16. Dd keeps asking me to go in and I feel like i’m letting her down now 😔

Does anyone feel the same?

If it’s your own pool you could just go in wearing shorts and a rash vest. What’s the problem?

Agreed. Also makes me look quite sporty 😅

I hate the tyranny of the bikini line. I refuse to follow it.

Google says:

"The correct spelling is no one. The term "noone" is incorrect."

Please don't spend your life not doing things you want to do because of the way you look.

Do you really think at your funeral people will mention that you're a size 16? No. They'll mention your sense of humour, your kindness, your love of fun. Concentrate on THOSE things!

Get in the pool! Don't pass on your self-consciousness to your DD. Nobody else will care what you look like (but I'm sure you look fine anyway).

Exactly the same. Stayed out of the pool on our last holiday. Holiday was amazing but my daughter begged me to go in every day. It was the thought of it that put me off. Once in I was less inhibited. My auntie once said to me, one day you’ll look back on the person you are today and think I was fantastic, why did I not just let myself go. Try and channel her when I’m feeling self conscious.the mother guilt is inhibiting. X

Google doesn't know everything.

I dream of being only a size 16, but I go swimming in a public pool. Just get out there and enjoy yourself, OP.

The key is a 50s style bikini. Big shorts to cover any bulgy bits around the bottom, lots of support up top to make the most of your boobs. Honestly, it’s made a huge difference to my confidence in the pool. I waddle down the garden with my walking sticks and clamber in in a very undignified fashion. No one can see you properly once you’re in the water anyway. I float about on a nice pool hammock with a pina colada (I’ve just realised how easy they are to make). Get in the pool, I promise you won’t regret it.

Wear a swimsuit, not bikini and bloody get in the pool!

I'm a size 22 and I'd be in there like a shot and I wouldn't give one even if the neighbours climbed the fence with a harpoon to sort out the beached whale! Honestly no one is bothered have fun with your dd!!

Yes I totally understand how that feels. But this is the only body you’ve got so be nice to it. Let it chill out in the cool water. Think voluptuous mermaid.

It's up to you if you purchase a pool then choose not to use it. Nobody is staring or perving on you.

Just enjoy it. Or don't. But don't make a bog deal about not going in or other people wanting to and doing so.

I'm size 16 it it isn't really that bad, it is larger end of wider normal (especially for taller women). Find bikini /swimming costume which is right size for you and do it.

I use colourful bikini top from specialist bra shop so it really fits and black high-waist swimming shorts. Noone cares.

Girl!!!! What are you doing???

Get 👏 in 👏 that 👏 pool

Other people can be safely ignored, as they are very much more concerned about how they look than how you look. Wear what you like and take the plunge!

I went on a school trip at the end of term, which involved a trip to a lake. I knew everyone was going into the lake, but I nearly made myself sick, worrying about going in with all those teenagers. On the day I wore sports shorts over my swimming costume, with a T shirt. No one batted an eyelid. We all swam and had a great time. I didn’t stay in long, but I did it! And the kids really appreciated it.

I live next to a busy main road and have just had my small, with fast lane, above ground pool installed. I've been in it 26 of the last 30 days and it is my best purchase ever. I'm a size 20, having gone up from a size 12 8 years ago due to medical issues meaning I can't run or do other standing exercise.
I do have a privacy fence next to the road, and bushes, but I realised that doesn't stop people on the many double decker buses that go past seeing me. If I'm lying in the pool after my 20 minutes non stop swim and see someone looking now, I just smile and wave! And sometimes they wave back!

I decided a few years ago to live my life and to ignore what other people think. You're a long time dead, to spend your time worrying about what people who don't matter to you think. I'm a size 20.

OP. We're waiting for you to tell us how liberating and fun it was!!!!

Oh gosh you are missing out, I promise noone is looking and if they do and think you're overweight ... who cares!? I'm over weight after having my son and I love swimming too much to not swim, it's such a lovely thing to do, find a swim suit that makes you feel comfortable and enjoy yourself with your daughter.

You have a pool, you have a child who wants to swim in the pool with you, in you get and have a wonderful time together

Dear God, get in the pool!
I don't have a pool but it's been raining here tonight and I was standing out in the rain. Believe me I'd have been in a pool if possible, and I'm bigger than you

By The Order of Mumsnet - Get In The Pool. Lol