First beach holiday in years - how to look and feel better

[SunshineonLeaves]

I’ve had a tricky few years (who hasn’t) and have put on a lot of weight since the last time I went abroad in 2018 - and I wasn’t that slim then.

I’m doing well with sensible eating and losing weight slowly but I’m still nothing like ‘beach ready’ - I know I shouldn’t care but I just feel so self-conscious, particularly of my wobbly stretch-marked middle and cellulite.

What can I do between now and September to try and tone up a bit and any recommendations for very flattering swim/beach wear please?

Congratulations on losing weight! Not exactly what you asked but Make sure your hair is done, your nails are polished, eyebrows tidied, bikini line waxed and have a few well thought out outfits and I find even the act of caring for yourself feels good.

Some kind of exercise would help too. A kettlebells class or maybe aqua aerobics if exercise is a challenge.

I’ve been doing HITT classes and I feel a lot better recently.

Strength training is the best way to tone. Try body pump classes if you have any near you. If you can do that 2 or 3 times a week and lots of walking in between, and add in some yoga or pilates if possible you can make quite a big difference in 2 months.

I have this swiming costume and it's extremely flattering. I wear a kimono style.cover up over it.
www.next.co.uk/style/st450791/193480#193480

There will be all shapes ahd sizes so please don't worry. easier said than done, I know. But making the best of what you've got can help you feel more confident

If you're pale, a hint of colour really helps. I use this in medium - it's easy to apply yourself and is quite subtle.
https://www.boots.com/ambre-solaire-no-streaks-bronzer-medium-self-tan-body-mist-150ml-10082141

And finally, have your hair and nails done before you go.

Have fun!

Walking is so underrated for fitness and as a mood booster! 10,000 steps a day seems like an arbitrary number but there is science based research behind it.

Also, try to incorporate aime strength training into your daily life. Eg, plank when the kettle is boiling, that kind of thing.

As PP has suggested, look after your hair, nails, skin.

Have a fabulous holiday!

You have the month of August to wear the clothes you will wear on holiday so that you are comfortable in them. Buy some shorts, tops and summer dresses, long and short. Don't over think your swim wear. Go simple. Practice wearing it around the house or in the garden.

Expose your body to the sun at home before you go so you get used to it and get a tan. This will make you feel better in many ways.

Relaxation and mantras... allow all of the negative thoughts to come and to go without judgement, breathe love into all of the parts of your body, repeat to yourself that you love and accept yourself even if this is difficult to say and doesn't feel true. It is no less valid than the voices that say you don't love your body and yourself. Do this every day!!! When it comes to your holiday, this will have become your norm.

I would aim to lose a few pounds between now and then - do YouTube workouts, walk more, eat less/eat healthier

I used dove tanning/moisturising body lotion for a few weeks before my holiday.

Got my hair done cut and coloured, nails and eyebrows done. Painted my toenails and bought new sandals and summer dresses.

I felt fabulous going, but of course gained all the weight I’d lost for the holiday while on the holiday !

Spray tan - honestly that will make you feel loads better even if you don't lose any weight. Somehow it seems to disguise all the wobbly bits. God knows how but it's a miracle worker. Everyone looks better with a tan.

Mani pedi, hair cut, brows. General beauty. Buy yourself some really nice sandals.

Once you feel and look better you can lose weight because it motivates you better than 'punishing' yourself for being fat. That never works, it just makes you feel sad when you eat biscuits.

I hope you have a great holiday.

Definitely a bit of fake tan - the 'light' garnier gradual one will not make you orange.

Dumbell HIIT workouts have really helped me tone up. Look up Bodyfit by Amy on YouTube- all free and can be done in your living room.

Have a fab time!

Walk a lot and use the free seven app everyday. It's HIT and I do some of the exercises with 1kg weights to increase the benefits.

I bought a flowy beach coverup in the UK before I went on holiday but they sold lovely beach clothes where we went (Mallorca) so maybe just get something when you get wherever you're going.

Get a bikini that fits you well.

Thank you all, lots to think about here.

Any recommendations for a flattering bikini? I'm an hourglass shape so I still have a waist but unfortunately a wobbly belly below it and an attractive squishy layer above which just looks awful even in high-waisted bottoms.

Cupshe have some gorgeous one pieces in really flattering styles. I quite like the one shoulder or cut out ones as they are a bit more interesting than a standard shape.

https://www.landsend.co.uk/s/LandsEndUK/WomensTulippSwimDresssSwimsuit/pp/5951254.html?coupon=JY40&cmmmc=searchhgplaa12816854159t5951254&gadsource=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwqf20BhBwEiwAt7dtdQKsNbUFNyWdgR29TJBT7jOVw16f4S6aKzzCHSRl079UGxcw4e3LVxoCBQEQAvDD_BwE

I like skirted swimsuits. It's just nice to have a bit of coverage at the top of my thighs.

Don't know what size you are but I have an ok figure with a tummy and I find smaller bikini bottoms with the string tie look much better than high-waisted, big coverage bikinis. And a top that actually fits!

I'll link to the ones I got in a bit

I'm not sure what size you're looking for but there's a swimwear range called vacious which is designed by a larger Irish lady might be worth checking out.

She has from size 8 to size 28 afaik

I got a lovely tankini from Fantasie, which looks amazing and you can buy for bra size.

Cost a few quid but it was worth it.

The lovely bikini I got was by Fantasie. Also one from Freya with tie sides. Both very flattering.

I do like Freya - I’ve got big boobs so some scaffolding is necessary! I’m around a size 18 but much less toned and more wobbly than I’d like to be 🤦🏻

I'm a size 12 now but was 14-16 and more wobbly than most too and I found the swimwear with supportive panelling from M&S very flattering

Look at Melissa Murrell Styling videos on You Tube. There's a couple of recent ones on swimwear for different body types. There's a lovely size 18 hourglass model in one of them & she looks absolutely stunning & very confident.