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My Bathing Suit Story
By Jane Drake
 I reached a point earlier this year where I could no longer put if off; I had to buy a bathing suit. And even worse, I was going to have to be seen wearing it in public! For the last fifteen years or so, my feelings toward wearing a bathing suit ranged from fear to loathing. With each year, as I put on more weight, I came to dislike the prospect of wearing a suit even more.
I had finally put on so much weight it was interfering with my quality of life and keeping me from enjoying activities like golf and skiing. I had to do something about it. I was hindered by a painful, stiff knee. I was advised that the knee might get better if I exercised and lost weight. But it hurt too much to do enough exercise to affect the weight. It was then suggested that I give the aqua fitness program at Tamarac a try. The buoyancy of the water would relieve some of the stress on my knee, and the stretching exercises used in the program would help improve its flexibility. It all sounded great, except for the fact that I would have to wear a bathing suit in order to participate.
It didn't help that I also had locker room dread. I was self conscious changing into gym clothes as a teenager when I wore single-digit junior sizes. I could not imagine displaying my full glory of a double-digit women's plus-sized body in a room full of strangers. But wearing a wet bathing suit to leave the facility was not an option with Michigan winters.
My last objection to wearing a bathing suit was that they just weren't comfortable or attractive on me. My hips looked like dough spilling out of a loaf pan in a two-piece suit. And one-piece suits with the panty legs always seemed to ride up in, let's say, the thigh region, no matter the size or style. It also didn't help that my body didn't fit into standard-sized suits. A suit sized to fit my hips and waist was snug around the top; and if it fit on the top, it was too droopy in the bottom.
Once I started shopping catalogs for bathing suits, I discovered fashion had finally given way to comfort. It was possible to buy a suit with "boy shorts" instead of the clingy, crimping panty bottoms. And you could pair them with a tunic top that covered the tummy. And bonus - since I could buy each piece in separate sizes - the combination would actually fit my top and bottom. I made myself do it. I ordered a two-piece suit of shorts with a tunic tank top.
Once the suit arrived, I knew I could not put it off any longer. The next morning, I put the suit in a small bag and trotted off to the women's locker room at Tamarac. I found a corner locker where I hoped there would be the least amount of traffic. Then I did it. Off came the street and underclothes. On came each piece of the suit. It couldn't have taken more than a minute. What was the big deal?
Then a quick shower and I pulled open the door to the pool area. I was surprised at the number of women who knew me who were already in the pool. The friendly greetings they gave me just seemed to dissolve any remaining self consciousness.
And then I stepped down the stairs into the pool. It was warm. I mean luscious, soothing warm. And best of all, as I walked and moved around the shallow end of the pool I could feel the weight and stress lifting off my knee. I felt so free.
For that first class and each class thereafter I caught up with old acquaintances and met new people. I have a theory that people tend to be more social the less they wear. In any event, I really enjoy the opportunity to talk and share with the women and men in the aqua classes I attend.
I also enjoy the aqua fitness instructors. My particular favorite is Kate Streichhirsch whom I've known for several years now. It is very evident she enjoys her job and people. She encourages everyone in the class to work at their own level and is ready with praise or gentle nudging when needed. And she picks great music to exercise and stretch to. Who knew ABBA and aqua fitness were a perfect match?
So after all my apprehension and excuses, there I was going to aqua fitness twice a week and loving it. And it was loving me. I gained more strength and flexibility in my knee. I was able to have better and longer workouts with Tamarac exercise and weight machines. Then, with an improved diet, the pounds just started to melt off. I dropped 55 pounds in seven months.
I never expected at my age, now 52, I could feel this good. I have more stamina. I sleep better. My concentration is sharper. I look better in a new wardrobe and I feel more confident. I am ready for anything!
I've already bought one smaller bathing suit, and it won't bother me at all now to buy another . . . In fact, I can't wait!.
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