Last night, I was flipping through old photographs. Then a photo myself at around 210 lbs in an old swimsuit, came back to haunt me. It struck me- I haven't worn a swimsuit in ages! Right now, I'm going bezerk; I have a swimsuit I haven't worn in over two years and I'm very afraid of how I'll look in it. Sure, I've lost weight so it should be ok...- thing is, I've felt extremely self-conscious exposing my figure. And to top it off, I'm going to the beach this weekend.
I don't know whether to face my demon and try it on, because I'm literally cringing at that thought!

Congratulations on what you've already lost! 42 pounds will make a BIG difference in what a swimsuit looks like on you. I say try it on. It may end up making you feel better, not worse.

Weeelll. I know EXACTLY where you're coming from. So, what I did was I bought a pair of "booty shorts" bathing suit bottoms, and a bathing suit tank top (mixed and matched, besides, I'm all different proportions). It made me feel a little more comfortable about my thighs. And when I'm really in a weird day, I'll put a pair of my old sweatshorts on. They're kind of fitnessy looking, and oddly they look good on me. Booty shorts also hide my stretch marks on my thighs

I would say instead of stepping in to the old bathing suit, if you're really dreading it, why not consider buying a new one? You've come SOOO FAR!! in your weight loss, and you deserve it!

Another thing to keep in mind. Everyone is so busy being self-conscious about how they look in a bathingsuit that they are not going to notice you.

HI!
It must be the weekend for getting out the togs (bathing suits) - I tried a couple of my bikinis from last summer on yesterday. I actually didn't look so bad, but I do need a tan!

What I was going to suggest is, if you are worried about how you look, why not splurge on a spray tan - it'll instantly make you look more toned, and I just feel more comfortable wearing togs when I have a tan.

If you are worried about your thights/butt area, then I agree with the booty shorts idea, or pick up some surfie board shorts. They come in about 3 different lenghts, short shorts, mid thigh and just on the knee. They don't look out of place with a swim suit and are really comfy too! I lived in them for ages until I had the guts to go shortless! (And I still wear them on bad body days).

Have fun swimming - just think of all those extra calories you'll be burning, and it's GREAT for toning too!