Maybe find swim lessons through a masters swim program? Then you can work out with the group to get better. Swimming for fitness with a group is a great way to overcome your swimsuit issues, especially a group with some age depth. There will be some heavy people who are great swimmers, no self consciousness, older folks who can churn out lap after lap, also not worried about how they look.
Ahhh…Garrett’s popcorn…
“busdriver11 – well, you are both taller than me and weigh less than me, so I don’t understand why you’re worried about how you look in a bathing suit. I think I look pretty good. Most of the people who swim at my local pools (community pools) are MUCH heavier than I am!”
I don’t think it’s really about the numbers so much, it’s about how it looks. Good luck on your triathlon!
“Maybe find swim lessons through a masters swim program? Then you can work out with the group to get better. Swimming for fitness with a group is a great way to overcome your swimsuit issues, especially a group with some age depth. There will be some heavy people who are great swimmers, no self consciousness, older folks who can churn out lap after lap, also not worried about how they look.”
That might be the ticket. If I swim with people who are 400 pounds, I might feel like I’m looking great!
I swear, it was a trick circus mirror. 
Nuts on Clark- best popcorn ever.
First day with the new FitBit Alta. I like the less bulky profile and the reminder to move- although I couldn’t obey it on the plane. I miss the stair count.
Another day of the Arc machine and walking. I’m well over 10K steps, even without taking the dog for a walk, which I’m not doing since it’s a rainy mess here.
I can’t even imagine putting on a 2 piece bathing suit – at least not one that shows my mid-section. I wear a tankini. While not totally at ease with how I look, I know I’m in much better shape than many on the beach.
We’re taking D and her fiancé out for dinner, celebrating D’s birthday. I’m already calculating how to avoid too many calories …
I had a meeting last night and didn’t get home until late so my only exercise was 19K steps during the day. Tonight will be a run; I’m hoping to be able to get 8 miles in.
CBBBlinker - tonight’s dinner certainly sounds like much to celebrate. I hope you enjoy it without obsessing over calories.
MOWC - I’m glad you like your Alta. I didn’t realize that it doesn’t have the stair count. That’s a bummer. I’m glad they are in distribution now since they weren’t going to roll out the move reminder on the Blaze until after the Alta launched. So hopefully I’ll get it soon. I would get frustrated on the plane, though, to not be able to “obey” the reminder!
I love the carmel/cheese popcorn mix. It’s a once a year splurge for me when we are in Chicago for the Big10K. I fly through O’Hare too often to get it there.
A two piece suit is something I rarely have chosen - young or not young - in my life. I remember two bikinis when I was a teen but really I didn’t have much desire to wear them - they didn’t really seem very supportive for ANY type of movement - walking on the beach, swimming, etc. No real desire to wear one then or now! Tankinis, ok.
I pick my swimwear strategically so it stays on no matter what and supports everything. Chantelle and Prima Donna make fantastic swim separates. I also will swim in Nike etc. 2-piece suits for competitive swimmers. The itty bitty skimpy bikini that barely cover anything… not my idea of beachwear. 
When I was swimming Masters we wore the workout 2 piece suits. We swam outside all year in Dallas. I thought they were much more comfortable than the one piece suits.
Easier to use the bathroom in two pieces…
I’ll put in a vote for Total Immersion swim lessons. I learned to swim as a child (age 4), took a LOT of lessons and learned all kinds of strokes, very comfortable in the water. At 40, a friend of my husband’s got certified as a TI instructor and offered to teach DD (then age 10) and me the TI methods for long distance swimming. It was great! I learned a lot about efficiency, but she did take us both back to the very beginning and then put our strokes together. It was such a pleasurable way to learn how to swim effectively.
Also, I’ll be honest, I find Masters swim groups–I’ve tried a few–kind of relentless. It seems to be about HOURS of swimming, not a pleasurable relaxing hour at most.
My bathing suits are all Speedo one-piece Flyback styles. I find they fit my particular shape (pear) nicely. Tyr does not fit me at all and cuts painfully into certain tender spots. The most flattering suit I’ve found was a Speedo water polo suit–high neck (so no scooping water while you swim), nice cut, but it zipped DOWN the back–it had a separating zipper that started at the top!–and I could not get it on and off without help!
I’ll give you that Lizardly !
Finished a 30 minute run- nice to see some other neighbors out running too - except they are all 20-30 years younger than me!!!
Oh I’m so glad I found this thread. I’m more of a reader than an actual participant in most threads, but I like this one I’ve been really wanting to get into spin. I’ve heard great things about it but I’ve also heard that you have to be quite in shape to even just attempt it. Any one doing spin or have tried it? I’d love to hear what it’s like. I’m kinda terrified to be honest lol
I try and spin once a week @Maizie - you should definitely go into it at your own “speed” and not worry about keeping up with veterans - there are ways you can do that - keep your resistance from going to hard, etc. The first thing is to NOT be afraid to ask the instructor (arrive a little early so you can ask) to help you adjust a spin bike to fit you -the height of the handlebars, seat, etc. definitely make a difference.
Our spin classes (I work at a medical campus and we have a fitness facility) are only 30 minutes so that people can manage it at lunchtime - I find 30 minutes PERFECT. I work hard, get a good workout but can actually manage to walk on my own two feet out of class - haha.
We have a resident expert biker here on this thread - in more than one person - Michael will have some better tips for you I’m sure!
What is your current fitness routine? It would be good to know what type of cardio, class or strength training you are used to.
I love spin classes. The ones I have been to don’t require that you already be in great shape. In the ones I have been to, you control the tension knob, so you decide how hard to work. A newbie can hide in the back, an experienced exerciser can put herself in the front.
5 miles on the treadmill @7:27. Last 400 meters @75 seconds.
Maizie. Go to spin class and go at your own pace. I find that our spin instructors aren’t very helpful so I just go in and do my own thing. If the class gives you the incentive to workout then go for it. Try it for a month and if you are liking it then buy yourself a pair of bike shorts and clip in bike shoes. Makes it more enjoyable.
Yay, Mazie! Glad you found this place. Michael will definitely have some great advice for you.
Psst… Ladies. This is beach swimwear for real bodies (my 2 piece is structured like the solid turquoise suit in the middle of the show at about 1:30):
Mazie–spin is great cardio exercise. First time go early and ask the instructor for help in setting your bike up so that you will be comfortable. The wrong seat settings can make a ride really miserable. If you like spin class and decide to do it regularly, invest in bike shoes. For me, the shoes make a huge difference. I wouldnt do a spin class if I didnt have my shoes. Also–spin classes vary a great deal–teachers and music make a difference. So if you dont like the music in one class – try another. Good luck!
Lots of yoga for me–this week.