Swimming Costume for the "larger Lady"

Cookiee

Hi Lovely peeps x

I am going to join an Aquafit club to get into shape. Was informed swimming will help me build up my lungs and inner core strength whilst being easy on my joints.

Now the problem is I have not bought a swimming costume in 15 years due to being embarressed about my size (I am inbetween a 22/24 with a 42EE top).

I wondered if anyone can reccomend a decent costume which wont cost me an arm and a leg, wont make me look like I am a sausage roll and will be comfortable.

M&S seem to have some nice ones (plus I have a £20 voucher I got at Xmas) but not knowing alot about costumes I would rather get some advice from you lovely ladies

Thank you :A

Quackers1

I'm a similar size to you, have arthritis so have to do low impact exercise. I prefer a costume with built in support and also some kind of pattern - I think the two I currently have are "Miracle Suits" not very MSE but bought in sales and fit beautifully. The M and S bodyshapers seem to do something similar - best to try some on and see what you like if you know what I mean.

My costumes go to Aqua Fit and swimming twice a week. I make sure I rinse them out to help prolong their lives.

one_hot_minute

Simply be do a few ranges. They're pretty pricey though but really good quality.

I actually am about to list one on eBay. It's a size 20 swimdress, brand new with tags. I bought it for holidays but never wore it and was too late to take it back.

I dont know what the form is for the boards but once I've listed I'd happily send you a link? I paid £42 for it but dont expect it to go for anywhere near that.

one_hot_minute

http://www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/product/window/toplevel/show.action?N=4282796748&LpgUid=11284622&cm_re=SwimwearHover-_-Col1-_-Swimdresses

Swimdresses for example. Mine is the third one in. Not £42 apparently, £26. No difference!

Cookiee

one_hot_minute wrote: »

Simply be do a few ranges. They're pretty pricey though but really good quality.

I actually am about to list one on eBay. It's a size 20 swimdress, brand new with tags. I bought it for holidays but never wore it and was too late to take it back.

I dont know what the form is for the boards but once I've listed I'd happily send you a link? I paid £42 for it but dont expect it to go for anywhere near that.

Hi Hun yes pls that would be great

RuthnJasper

I was going to suggest Simply Be - but I see that One Hot Minute has beaten me to it. I've been a customer of theirs for a number of years and most of my stuff comes from them (they cater especially to the market of over size-16s).

On the high street (or also online) Evans have some nice things (I think they're the Dotty P's for us BBW) and I have also bought things in Elvi (back when I had money for clothes!!!), but Simply Be tend to be a bit cheaper with a larger selection - a nice mix of designer and 'ordinary' or budget lines. They also have some excellent bargains in their sale (probably a good time to be picking up some reduced-price summer swimwear).

Hope this helps and you and your gorgeous curves make an impressive splash on the beach scene (sorry... couldn't help it... ).

Happy new year! xx

RuthnJasper

P.S. I've also done Aquafit - brilliant fun, great workout and easy on the joints as you suggest. I'd still be there if I could afford it but, alas, I'm temporarily in the situation where there are finally more pounds on my ar*e than there are in my pocket!!;) Never mind - won't always be this way...

Top tip: take a bottle of water in with you to leave by your towel at the edge of the pool. You might well be glad of a few cooling sips halfway through the session. Have fun! xx

Cookiee

Money is a bit tight for me at the moment too (a bit like all my clothes x) But the local swimming centre is doing a special deal where they are doing 10 classes for the price of 7. We worked out that if we cut out 2 packets of biscuits and now I am walking to work and saving some petrol we will be able to cover it.

My goal is to lose 6/7 stone by the end of 2012 (mind you would be happy to lose at least 3 by the end of the year for now) x I am hoping that the swimming will ease me into losing weight as well as meeting new people and having fun.

Thanks for the tip about the water RuthNJasper x

RuthnJasper

Cookiee wrote: »

Money is a bit tight for me at the moment too (a bit like all my clothes x) But the local swimming centre is doing a special deal where they are doing 10 classes for the price of 7. We worked out that if we cut out 2 packets of biscuits and now I am walking to work and saving some petrol we will be able to cover it.

My goal is to lose 6/7 stone by the end of 2012 (mind you would be happy to lose at least 3 by the end of the year for now) x I am hoping that the swimming will ease me into losing weight as well as meeting new people and having fun.

Thanks for the tip about the water RuthNJasper x

You'll do it! Sounds like a bargain deal! Let us know how you get on, OK? xx

BTW, have you checked out your GP? If you need to lose weight for health reasons your GP can "prescribe" you gym membership for £1 a session (sometimes includes classes like Aquafit). Worth a try...!

Cookiee

Oooo no I didnt know that :-) Will have to buzz him as he wants to help me lose the weight without having to go down the surgery route. x

Will deff let you know how I get on. Mind you I hope the small fact like I cant swim put me off going :-P (But at least I have my own 2 floatation devices ha ha)

margaretclare

Cookiee wrote: »

Oooo no I didnt know that :-) Will have to buzz him as he wants to help me lose the weight without having to go down the surgery route. x

Will deff let you know how I get on. Mind you I hope the small fact like I cant swim put me off going :-P (But at least I have my own 2 floatation devices ha ha)

You don't have to be able to swim in order to do aqua-fit, aqua-aerobics, whatever they call it where you're planning to go. I go 3 x week to LA Fitness in Thorpe Bay where they have a pool. As long as you're able to stand up in the water you can do it. I can jump around for 45 mins in water whereas I couldn't manage even 5 mins out of the water. Water provides resistance and at the same time provides support.

Have a look at Amplebosom, where they specialise in all things for larger ladies. http://www.amplebosom.com/swimwear.php

HTH