Not Lookin' So Great in a Swimsuit :(

I haven't looked good in a swimsuit since I was in college, and yes, the baby just adds to that! But wear the swimsuit and swallow you're pride and have a good time. I'm a little self conscious (I HATE my thighs), but so are other moms. When you're looking back, you're a lot more likely to think, "I can't believe I missed playing with my kids because of a swimsuit" than "I never should have gone out in that." Trust me.

Wear a swimsuit! Lands' End has some great swimsuits that help to minimize the flaws that we all perceive when we look in the mirror. While I have lost my baby weight (since my baby is now 14), I still don't feel so comfortable in a two piece suit/bikini. I go for the tankinis and then I will usually wear a bottom that either has a built-in skirt or I will buy the matching shorts or skirt.

Go to the pool and have fun, I do it every summer and believe you me when I tell you my butt is anything but small LOL. I have fun and so is my daughter. I don't give a rats behind what others think. Chances are I will never ever see them again in my life so I am not wasting time trying to guess if they may think I look fat in my swim suit. Who cares, go to the pool, get wet and have fun.

Are you kidding me!? go for it, your children do not care what you wear or how you look! they just want to spend the time with mommy!!! Get yourself the tankini, cover yourself up, and go have a blast with your children!!!
After all, this is all because of them! :) I've always complaint about my weight and lose some here and gain some there, so I know the feeling. I still have to get rid of some 30 pounds; but I will not let that stop me from having a blast with my children, either at a pool or a beach. As long as you are covered up, with no stuff hanging :) and don't look ridiculous GO FOR IT!!!
Blessings

I would never skip fun memories with my kid! Your body has done an amazing thing--given birth. As you said--you're work in progress...in more ways than O.! Be confident and be proud of your body.

p.s. That's why necks swivel--whoever doesn't want to look can focus elsewhere!

Have a GREAT summer!

You must, must , must take your kids to the pool! Just know that almost every other woman out there has had kids as well and feels self concious in a swim suit.

And...did you know that Spanx is making swimwear now? It's pricey, but worth the self esteem boost I think!

Wear the bathing suit. The time with your children is priceless. (I wore a tank top t-shirt when I was in the pool last summer to give me more coverage.)

when my kid was 1 year i tried one this swimming suits that has little shorts and a tankini top and i forgot about everybody there and have fun with my kid!!!!

I am not happy about how I look either, I decided however that having fun with my kids is more important. I found a very flattering tankini at Target, it covers everything that I don't feel comfortable about. Target had better swimsuits than Wal Mart other than that, not sure where to look. But go have fun with your kids this summer.

Honey, wear something that you will be totally comfortable in, so you can focus on having a great time with your children, and not worry yourself about how you're looking, whose looking, and what others may say. After all, it's about having fun with your family…right? So, wear whatever makes you comfortable.

Maybe you should look into getting a swimsuit with a wrap. They have so many out there that are very cute, and non revealing. They have shear cover all jackets you can wear with them, because you are still a woman, and need to feel pretty. Trust me I understand:)

You WILL regret it if you don't get your kids out this summer. I know what you mean, I've gone from a 5/6 to a 12 since having kids. Your kids don't care what you look like, and honestly, most people at the pool don't care either (and who cares about the ones that do!). Get out and enjoy your kids!

I absolutely know how you feel!! But really, your only cheating yourself and your kids if you don't take the plunge. Kohls actually has some really great mix and match suits. I got one last year that has a little skirt and it did wonders for my comfort. Although I know I dont look fantastic in it, I am comfortable b/c I am not worried about adjusting it throughout the day. So find a suit that you are comfortable in and enjoy your kids! They aren't looking at what Mommy looks like in a suit. They are looking for a Mommy that is going to play with them in the pool! We take our son to the water park all summer long and I love that there are so many shapes and sizes...all having a grand time with their kiddos. Don't cheat yourself out of some fun.........go and enjoy!!!

Deal with it, woman! Get out there and enjoy your kids!!!

Get something to cover up what you don't want others to see and then go for it!

Wear it and have a great time!!! I can totally understand where you are coming from, and how self conscious it can be, but your kids won't care... and who else really matters!

I hate wearing swim wear as you can guarantee that a model like goddess always stand close to me , just to make me feel even worse!....anyway I still wear a tankini (I think they are more flattering that a 1 piece) , I def would not wear a bikini (the thought makes me want to cry). I say get out and enjoy the pool with your little ones.

Yeah, I have the same problem...swimsuits and mirrors are NOT a good combination for me. But it doesn't stop me from playing in the pool with my kids. THEY don't care how I look, but they WILL notice if I keep making excuses to not join them. And while you're feeling insecure about yourself at the pool, take a look around at other people. I'm pretty sure you're not the only one that doesn't belong on the cover of a magazine. Then notice the mamas sitting in the shade completely covered up and pushing away their kids because they don't want to show themselves. Who is happier? The mamas in the pool with their kids or the ones missing out on all the fun? Put your insecurities in a little box and lock it away...they can come out another time because now it's time to play!

hi
get those swimshorts that look like surf shorts (you don't have to get them as long as the pro-surfers) they have them much shorted AND in ALL sizes... they have em at Target so you needn't pay a ton.. then get a tank swim-shirt (with support) and you are set. the shorts are good too because if as you say you have more booty.. :) than you would like at this time, the shorts do cover some of that up. not too mention, they dry fairly quickly.
they are good too in the sense that one, you don't look like you are trying to cover up and they look fashionable as many people nowadays are wearing them..
best of luck

WEAR THE BATHING SUIT! Just wear a coverup poolside and jump in the water as fast as you can! Speaking from personal experiance. Your little one doesnt care what you look like. He/she only wants you to be happy and play with them. I personally HATE the way I look in a bathing suit, but then again I did before I had kids. I am a smaller sized woman, but I just am not comfortable. Believe it or not, I even had a boob job last year and I am still SUPER self conscious (sp?)! It never stops me from trowing on my tankini and jumping in. I just don't spend a lot of time prancing around poolside. Short of actually working on my self image, it works for me!!! Now, go get on that suit and jump in!

I know I am late but I just went through the same thing this weekend. I have a nice pudge going on and I refused to wear a swim suit. I even bought one from sam's club thinking that it was full coverage and that I would be fine. I brought it home and it didn't fit and it was riding up on my stomach. I felt so foolish but I refused to let that stop me. My issue also is my boobs, I wear a size 38 DDD and so it's very hard for me to find swimsuits, shirts, bras that are my size. So I bought my last few bras from Lane Bryant and I decided to try to get a swimsuit from there since they have the bras that I can fit.

After trying on six or so swimsuits, I found one that fit. It's absolutely gorgeous and since the store is designed for larger women, all of their swimsuits cater to women who have some issues in the midsection. I didn't get the swim bottoms since they were too big but the top I have was a leopard print top and there's a strap that wraps around my neck to hold the swimsuit up. It's got a flowy babydoll style to it that is perfect. I wore it yesterday and I was afraid because I thought once the top got wet it would hug my stomach but it didn't. I was extremely happy so I would recommend going to Lane Bryant and seeing if you can find something.

I didn't buy a coverup because to me that defeated the purpose. The swim top that I bought was perfect so that I don't need to buy one. I wish I could post a picture of it here so that you can see. You are certainly not alone on this but I found a solution and now i'll be at the pool every day this summer.

Wear the swimsuit!!! I just went swimsuit shopping last week and also felt depressed. I still look pregnant in some of them :( I was finally able to find one that I didn't look pregnant in. I still look like someone who has definitely had 2 kids but it's more important to get to spend time with your kids. You will never get this time back. Enjoy your kids! You deserve it :)

Every other woman who has children feels the same way! We're never ready to face the changes age brings. I worked in intimate apparel for years. One day I was helping a woman who I thought looked about 75. She expressed dismay over her aging body. I complimented her while thinking she still looked pretty, though definitely 75 or so. I asked her age and she replied she was 94!!!!! I never forgot it!! LOL! We never, ever get over losing our 20 something bodies!

I totally feel you and I am going through the same thing. I say rock the tankini I am not 16 anymore and probably willnever have abs of steel again.
I am going to squeeze my large chest and mommy body into a bathing suit and tankini this summer why miss out on all the fun.

I slos think waering big t-shirts over your bathing suit draws more attention to yourself and people will know you are insecure. If you show people you are confident and comfortable with yourself then there is nothing to talk about.

Mommie Bodies Rock on !

Wear the bathing suit!!!!! The time and experience with the kids is worth SO much more than the vanity.

I still haven't gotten back into the bathing suit shape I want to be, but neither are the other moms at the pool for the most part. There are a few that make me a little modest, but we went up to the neighborhood pool last night, and it made me feel much better. There was one mom there with a 4 year old daughter (my kids are 2 and almost 4). She had great abs, but her thighs were a mess. My abdomen is a mess, but my legs are great.

Neither of our kids noticed anything other than the fun they were having in the pool with their moms.

Continue to work on getting in shape to be as healthy as possible, but do your best to shelve your physical insecurities (easier said than done, I know too well) for the sake of having a great summer.

Good luck!