Red Cedar
More apocalypse, less angst
about swimsuits
in the past six weeks of swimming at the ywca during my lunch-hour, i have figured out a number of things about bathing suits and regular swimming. the first of these, is those bathing suits designed to “flatter” certain parts of the body are not really suitable for distance swimming as they tend to do the “flattering” with an extra cloth layer and built-in support. this makes for more drag in the water, and both elasticity of the material itself and swimmer speed-agility suffer for the ego unecessarily. now that i am swimming many laps, several times a week, this annoyance has not been lost on me.
but if it’s true that flattering suits are not conducive to efficient swimming, the converse is also true: “speed” suits are without a doubt, the most unflattering thing i have ever encountered. low backed, cut into the breastline on the side, and with no support lining, it is as though they are designed to display every bulge and stretchmark. ack!
today, i bit the bullet though, as my older swimsuit has finally lost any semblance of elasticity – and bought myself one of those hideously revealing suits for “swimming” (as opposed to lolling, splashing, or frolicking). as with all things i had to remind myself that indeed i am not going to the ywca to impress anyone, and besides which being a “fast” swimmer is perhaps more impressive than being a skinny one – right?
at least, that’s what i told myself.
3 Comments on “about swimsuits”
Leave a reply to Randal Dillon Cancel reply
Red Cedar 
I am trying to convince a friend to come to the pool with me and she flat out refuses because shee is embarrased of what she looks like in a swimsuit. I think it is such a shame because swimming, exercising and going for a hot tub and sauna would probably make her feel so much better about herself. I agree with you, the YMCA isn’t about sexy. Where I swim there are so many different body types. Just seeing everyone naked in the change room totally makes you realize what real bodies are about. I like it, all the different shapes. I think it is sad that people still get so insecure sometimes. (I go there sometimes too)
yeah – that’s the real crap of it – when we limit ourselves from doing things because of these perceptions we have about how others see us. i have to always remind myself that *no one* else is counting how long i swim for, or how many laps is do (or how long i go on the elliptical trainer for, or how well-formed my pilates stretches are) – i mean, how crazy to think that other people there aren’t going through exactly what we are! they are too busy thinking about whether their swimsuit fits them right and how fast their laps are – to worry about what other people are doing (like, i *never* pay attention unless someone is pissing me off in some way).
anyhow – i did 34 laps today and in the process checked out other women in their bathing suits and in the changeroom. it’s as i wrote awhile back – it’s a really good check-in for me just to notice other women’s bodies and realize that none of them are “perfect” but all of them are just exactly right. know what i mean?
I’ve been in and out of the routine of swimming for fun and fitness my whole life. One thing is certain: those who do not swim because they think themselves not sleek enough for the pool are hopelessly out of touch with reality. We may not all be whales splashing about but damn few of us are dolphins. I reckon most of the dolphins are glad to see the whales making the effort it takes to get off the couch and into the water.
Freeing yourself from the tyranny of gravity and getting some exercize is one of the joys of life. The whirlpool is another!