[Scarlett]

Last summer I reached my all time low of 165 (down from a high of 225). My body looked great. No stretch marks and the girls were relatively perky, I had every confidence that once I lost another 15-20 pounds I would be able to show my stomach.

Fast forward to today, I regained everything and then some up to 245. The stretch marks are absolutely HORRENDOUS. My whole stomach is covered in deep red/purple marks. It just depresses me so much, especially after how good things were last summer. I feel like I was given a free pass and ruined it.

At least I gained all this weight cramming 1.5 years of grad school into 9 months and things on the career front are going well as a result. Hopefully my body wont be too ugly once the weight comes off. I figure that I am 27 and want to have kids in the next few years. The stretch marks would have happened regardless.

[Kayles]

I always wear a bikini, regardless of weight. I think the key is finding something you're comfortable wearing. I personally would feel more uncomfortable in a one piece as I would feel I were purposely trying to hide.
I'm on holiday next week and have several pool parties, I'll come back and upload a pic or two of me rocking my bikinis at my highest weight
You're only young once, may as well just embrace it