Shorts phobia, with leg pics.

[Sallygoround631]

First off, the shorts are 2 sizes too big (an old, bad purchase!), I just cut the legs off to check how shorts would look on me. I am not quite as square shaped as the shorts make me look.

My issue is my legs, they're generally fine and I am usually happy with my body, but it seems i have developed some wobbly skin. I am late forties and at lowest end of my healthy weight range so am not after losing any. Maybe they were wobbly before but i didnt notice. Theyve never been solid or taught at any age. I am 5'5 and 8st.

But am i deluding myself that I can do something about it, or wear shorts in summer? I hate dresses at the moment and would love to feel the breeze in shorts and a tshirt on hot days. But i have never worn them in my life for some reason. I do feel self conscious about the fact that I am small but jiggly even though I know it's silly and no big deal in the great scheme of life.

It doesn't seem to be regular cellulite, it's more like lines as if the flesh is too loose and it makes me look out of proportion. Am i being daft or would you opt for either longer ones or something else? Please don't insult me for asking, I do know it's ridiculous but we all have our weak spots and my legs are mine.

Pics are front, back, and close up of skin, it is actually more ripply than in the shot.

Thanks everyone.
I didnt compare myself to anything though (?), i can see it so that's that. Not sure anyone else out there would care. Would be nice to be able to tone it up. I mean why not?

As for confidence, im not too bad usually. I will see if they have any on amazon, a two for the price of one would be handy!

Get the shorts on, girl. You look great.

Your legs look exactly like mine, also late 40s. Are they a nice as they were 10 years ago? No. But will they make me/other people/friends/random strangers feel nauseous (or even feel anything at all)? No. So fuck it. Just wear shorts and enjoy the breeze.

Oh my god. If I saw you wearing shorts I'd be sick with jealousy. You have great legs and an amazing figure. Please for the love of god wear the shorts and enjoy it!

ah, this is true. I am my own worst judge tho!
10 yrs ago mine were still a bit like this, even when young, but it is travelling downwards. It was only at the upper thigh before. I am grateful for my taught little ankles, long may they resist!

I mean, you can be equally accepting and horrified, i think that's human.

They look fine to me - certainly wouldn't think any negative thoughts if I seen anyone with these pair of legs!

you are tempting me to go for it, you lovely lovely woman! Life is too short isnt it? I had no courage as a teen, but i am tired of that shit. Still, pilates here i come...

You've got good legs. Not too skinny not too fat. I'd go for the shorts with those pins but if you don't feel confident enough then maybe try pedal pushers?

I read this on Facebook today and it's very true:

Imagine being 75 and you’re sat thinking about your life and how you never went swimming in the sea on a warm night because your thighs jiggled. Imagine realizing you never laughed until you couldn’t breathe because your teeth weren’t straight or white enough. You never embraced the sun on the beach because of the stretch marks on your stomach and your hips. You never allowed yourself to let go and have fun because the pressure to look perfect consumed you.

Imagine being 75 and realizing you’ve hidden yourself away for the fear of being real. Imagine realizing all the years you wasted hating yourself, but now it’s too late to go swim in the sea late at night. Now it hurts to laugh for more than a few seconds and you’re too weak to travel to the beach. Imagine realizing all this time you were perfect the way you were, but now it’s too late to do anything about it.

Don’t let that happen. Live now, as you are. You deserve to realize you’re enough and always have been, before you’re 75.
Unknown author

Your legs are like mine and I thought I had great legs! I think I'm developing a complex now! And I'm only in my early 30s...

Enjoy your shorts!

Omg yes. Thank you for posting this.

Can anyone suggest a type of shorts I might suit?
I like the ones at Passenger, but they dont give inside leg measurements.

first two pics are passenger and third is finieterre. Or should I go more tailored?

These models are more tanned than I am, i think it helps tone down the ripple effect

@VanillaImpulse my mum said something similar when i was 21. And each decade i look back at photos and think wtf was i worrying about. It is a good slap to see this as we never live in the 'now'.

They look like legs to me! What on earth is wrong with them. Stop buying into all the expectations to look like a magazine. You’re not and never will be built like that. Who cares.

If I had legs like yours in my late (or even early) 40s I'd wear those damn shorts even in Winter.

OP I have studied your legs quite carefully ( minutes of my life I won't get back). They are perfectly, absolutely normal.
Buy some shorts you like and wear them.

Yep, wear the shorts with pride!

oh god please don't! I did not intend that. my issue is likely my age and meno, yours wont have the wobble of many untoned yrs of inactivity and work stress. If i was early 30's now i would have made time to keep active and fit. yours will be lovely!

Your legs are fine , more than fine . No one and I really believe this , no one cares what anyone else looks like,.

im honestly not too concerned with other people seeing them. I really dont think people care. It's only my own judgement. No one cares about my frizzy hair but i do!

You have great legs and I bet they get you from A to B as well. Wear the shorts with pride.

I have pretty rubbish legs; short and dumpy, and I wear shorts from May until October. I only go back to trousers if it is cold.

I am always amazed by the fact that some of my much much more attractive friends will swelter before they wear shorts and vests. I suppose it is just how insecure they feel, but it’s sad.

Do I hate the way my body looks? Absolutely

Do I value it? Yes

Do I give a fuck what some random person thinks? Nope.

if it makes you feel any better, once you get the wrong side of 45 you are invisible anyway.

get your knees out!

I’d kill for your legs. I’m a size 18-20 with cellulite and dry skin. My legs are awful. But I wear shorts when it’s sunny because my body is an instrument not an ornament. If I want to walk somewhere and shorts would be more comfortable then I wear them. If I’m on the beach or by the pool, I may wear a sarong or maybe shorts. I even wear bikinis so I can get some sunshine on my wobbly belly.

Honestly stop worrying about your legs and concentrate on improving your self esteem so that you don’t give a fuck about bearing a bit of skin in the summer, whatever your skin or muscle tone may look like.

I have the same OP, decent shape to my legs but lacking tone. I go to the gym - uphill walking on treadmill, step machine , leg press and backward leg swing thing with weights. Running is excellent too. Also body brushing and Nivea Cellulite gel cream really helps. Yes your legs are lovely but toning will make you feel more confident. It has me!

You have beautiful legs & should sow them off at every opportunity!
As someone who developed varicose veins in her mid-40s & hasn't worn shorts or short skirts since they appeared, I'd say go for it.

Honestly OP, your legs look really good. Truly. Wear your shorts with pride. (Those "tester" shorts you've made ... if it were me, I'd just cut them off at the fold line and wear them. I think they'd look nice.)