Embarrassed to go swimming because of varicose veins 😔

[wearestardust16]

As the title says...
I've had unsightly varicose veins, particularly in one leg behind my knee and down calf, for a few years and have always just avoided getting my legs out in public.
My lo is 4.5 months old and I really want to take her to swimming lessons but I feel too self conscious about how my legs will look in a costume. I really don't want her to miss out because of my insecurities but I just feel so sick and nervous at the thought of exposing my legs!
I've found swimming leggings that you can buy online but I worry that this will make me stand out even more. I did ring the leisure centre and they said I'd be allowed to wear swimming leggings though.
I just wonder if anyone has been/is in a similar situation?
Should I just suck it up and not care what people think?
Thanks

Thank you! I'm pretty worried about taking baby swimming full stop so the thought of being on show is just making me feel even worse!
Do you think I'd be allowed to have a towel wrapped round me until it was time to get in?

Your legs will be under water most of the time so no one will see them and honestly the only person who cares about them is you.

I have varicose veins and I won't wear shorts but I do take my children swimming.
I figure most of the time my legs are in the water.
Most of the other people are too bothered about their own hang ups anyway

If they bother you that much, have you thought about having them removed? My husband had surgery to have some removed before Christmas, and his legs look perfect now.

Though in the scenario of the pool, you are the only one who will be bothered by them, honestly, nobody will be looking and if they do, won't care!

As pp have said, just do it, no one will a) notice, and b) care.

There are all kinds of bodies at the baths, and each one of them is human-shaped and there to enjoy the water.

I'm sure you don't want your daughter to think that only the most perfect of bodies can swim.

Psych yourself up to act as if you don't care. Pretend that you're cook with it to yourself. Hold yourself with pride, upright and not ashamed.

I bet you will see other women with varicose veins too.

What do you imagine is the worst thing that could happen if people see them? (That's not a rhetorical or facetious question, genuinely asking because we might be able to help you with your fears).

I am a swimmer and the last thing I am looking at the swimming pool are other people legs.

the only sight that bothers me at the pool is a pornographic tattoo. the rest is just human variety. You should go.

Go for it.

I take my DS swimming. I absolutely hate my body. I'm overweight and I can't stand my shape at the best of times. I have to walk all the way along the main pool to get to the teaching pool and every lesson I have to get out half way through because DS needs a wee (no matter whether we go before the lesson or not ).

But I'm not there to be assessed on my looks, I'm there for my DS and me. I'm not kidding myself and pretending like no one has ever made a judgement about me, but what strangers think of me is not only irrelevant, it's also none of my business.

In all the time I've been going (a year now, maybe) I've only ever had one occasion where I've thought people have been saying something. It's really not worth putting your life on hold for.

Go for it in a regular cossie. As has been said, no one will notice/ care. At lessons with other babies of a similar age group, everyone else will be too paranoid about baby weight/ changes to their own bodies to even think about registering it!

Loads of people will have them! Don't worry.

I'm 32 and my bottom right leg is covered, proper bulgy nana legs. I feel your pain! I'm going to have EVLT this year as I'm so paranoid, I have worn skinny jeans all through summer including heatwaves for about 6years now. But swimming? Nah fuck it, jump in! I did that with mine for sure!!!

I swim once a week.

Honestly - I wouldn't even notice your various veins. If I did I wouldn't care.

I just get undressed, stuff in locker, swim shower and leave.

Couldn't care less how fat skinny tattooed scarred birthmarked anyone else is. Would you care about someone else at the pool having a birthmark etc?

If you are nervous though try to go at quiet times at least at first. Early mornings and not during half term!

Thanks for all your replies.
The rational part of me knows that nobody will look or care what my legs look like and if they do then that's their problem, not mine.

However, I can't help feeling nervous about the prospect of being so exposed. I've decided though that I'm going to go for it. I'll treat myself to a nice swimming costume and walk in with as much confidence I can muster!
I'm sure that I'll be so busy focusing on my baby that I won't notice if people do stare anyway!

Thank you for all the reassurance and encouragement. Fingers crossed we have a fun time!

Once you've been once you'll be fine honestly. Have fun.

The swimming classes are always early and the main pool always has lovely pensioners with a variety of body types. You'll probably be one of the 'young things'.

Thanks, I feel so much better!
I've just ordered a lovely tankini, so no turning back now!
I just need to sort baby out with her swimming gear!

Well done! I've had VV since my twenties and used to hate them, now don't care.

Everyone else is hung up on themselves. Besides if they judge fuck em. Obviously shallow twats anyway.