Journal de Angela_17, 15 janv. 19

Stay positive.. there are always parts of our bodies we don’t like ..but you can work on that 👍.. I always find keeping a photo diary helps me to see if I’m making progress .. 

There are so many people who have anxiety over how they look. Probably everyone of us on here and those you encounter day by day have something that they don’t like. To be honest just be you, take a deep breath and walk from the changing room and to the pool and get in. Do a recce and see if there are quieter times and ease yourself in. But everyone you see will have a hang up over something just smile and help them through their day. 

I wouldn't worry about how you look i go swimming 3 times a week and do 40 lengths I have got the most horrific varicose veins but honestly not one looks at you and once you are in the pool no one can see you i think swimming is a great way to exercise for any age I will be 70 in April but absolutely love it and it's a great carolie burner x 

Just do it Hun, I had a mastectomy last July and went to a spa pool in December where everyone just stripped off in the big changing rooms, it felt a bit embarrassed but it was either get on and have my swim or go home and miss the nice treat my daughter had bought for me, no one looked or cared and I really enjoyed myself, I it would make you feel better you could get a swimsuit with a little skirt or my boss swims with leggings on and a t-shirt, enjoy yourself and let us know how you get on, xxx 

Thank you so much for the advice and encouragement! I have seen a swimming costume with longer shorts (a bit like professional swimmers wear), the only thing is the back is open so shows my huge scar from surgery 😂 My husband who can’t swim said he will come with me and people will be too busy watching him drowning to look at me!  

Swimming will give you a natural high which will encourage you to become more active. No-one cares what you look like at the pool - it's great exercise for overweight people or just for those who find it hard to exercise at the gym. In answer to your question, though, your body WILL change as you lose weight and the cellulite become less noticeable. Even slim women suffer from cellulite so don't beat yourself up about it. It's all about wellbeing and fitness x 

Please don't be ashamed of your scar; scars are evidence that you are a warrior, you are a survivor and that your journey has not been an easy one. It can be very hard to 'expose' imperfections but no one is perfect, a person whose outward appearance is enviable (by modern beauty standards) may be harbouring deep wounds and scars on the inside. I empathise with your discomfort and wariness, I too have scars and I have cellulite. I won't lie, if someone could wave a magic wand and rid me of cellulite I'd probably go for it! But realistically, what has helped me more is acceptance and shifting my goals towards the best health I can achieve with the body I have. If other people are so shallow that sneering at my imperfections makes their day, well then, let them crack on, because all that shows is that my life has a completeness that theirs doesn't; in sneering they are exposing their own internal scars and very likely soothing their own insecurities. I am disabled, so limited in the exercise I can do, I am fortunate that swimming is one I am able to do on a limited basis. I used feel self-conscious approaching the pool on crutches, but really, most of the people staring or glacing my way were either doing it out so concern, empathy or admiration, or more often than not they weren't even registering me, they were staring off into space in my direction! If swimming works for you, then you go for it, this is your journey, don't let insensitive people stand in your way. I wish you all the best. 

Thanks chillgilly and Maximo for your advice I really appreciate it. I am going to the swimming pool tomorrow to have a look around and see what it’s like.  

Ignore what you look like and get on and do it. Who cares what people think. I saw an extremely large gentleman in a hotel swimming pool. what did I think ? Kudos to you mate, he was at least trying to get exercise. Swimming is of course one of the best exercises for you. As a guy I do tend to look at female forms, its just the way the male species is and I can tell you that there are many women of all sizes have scars and cellulite. Who cares, the package is not the person inside.  

Angela, it went the other way round for me 😩 pre-diet,before losing 3+stones, I had the’Best bottom in Birkenhead ‘ ha 😂, now, having looked in a full length mirror, it’s just not the case anymore, Sigh 😔!!!!! I too wanna go swimming but wrinkly bum & cellulite stops me 😟 

fat friend, I have bad veins too, from age 25+ never harmed me in anyway but ur right ppl don’t notice, I’ve never worried on a beach etc. coz there’s always worse sites 😂 

Thanks for sharing everyone! I now have 3 swim costumes to choose from, I might take them all with me and see how I feel. I’m doing it Jimsterman, I’m going swimming, I think you should too! 😃 

Don’t know much about cellulite but as you lose weight you will feel more confident about yourself most of it is in your head and I also never really dieted lost a bit of weight if I felt fat but have never been inside my BMI you are at a good age to get on the right track I wish you all the luck in the world 👍👍👍 

Aww thank you Razor. I have lost just over half a stone and I’m on my 4th week. I do actually feel better already, I have been walking for 45 mins every morning before work (not this morning, too snowy 😂). Good luck to you too! 👍