Don't let life, and the fun things it brings, pass you by because you're afraid of what some people might think. If they're going to judge you, screw them. And, like the studies have always shown, people aren't paying as much attention to you as you think. Especially people at the pool...too much stuff going on, and lots of people are too self-important to notice other people anyway. ;)

hahah i started this thread a while ago!! and nooo... i didn't end up going, but that WAS before I read all of your amazing posts! I just wanted to throw in here that it's not really about being "noticed" by other people, it's more like, this girl is 22 and gorgeous and the most perfect fit, model tan body, and i would PERSONALLY be self conscious. I'd be embarrassed to let my own MOM see me in a bathing suit. I don't even go over to my friend's house (my boyfriend's sister, so obviously he lives there too) in TANK TOPS......

I swear to you, people will not mentally be placing you right next to this gorgeous 22-year-old & comparing you, part for part, like two cuts of beef in the freezer section. I swear this, upon my honor. You are doing it, privately, and it's hurting you (and heck, I have done this to myself, too, which is why I can recognize it in someone else) but no one else is going to do this.

Also, are you having that image of The Pool that some people have of The Gym? I have learned that some people fear the gym because they make it into a mythological Shangri-La in which tan beauties populate every machine, further honing their already perfect bodies. And then they get there, and it's pretty much their neighborhood, only everyone's at the gym.

Which is what I think you will find at the pool.

Listen to me: The pool is NOT going to be crowded by an endless succession of clones of the 22-year-old gorgeous girl, with you the only one who did not come from the same plastic injection mold.

That girl is the exception, not the rule. Really.

And maybe as someone suggested upthread, you should start with baby steps. Buy a tank top, damn it. They're all ridiculously marked down, since stores don't think you need summer clothes anymore in the heat of July. Put that thing on & wear it. Experiment. Go places in it. Work your way up to a bathing suit.

You've got a goal for your signature now, don't you? ;-)

I have to agree with the majority here, GO!
You are only in your twenties right? This is the time to wear bikinis, have fun, and be careless about what others say (of course not exclusive to twenty year olds), but my point is your skin and your body are beautiful at that age...

I'm 41, and my height and weight are almost the same...except that I have horrible skin, varicose veins from all the standing that I do at work, my olive skin scars not so nicely, I had two children...and many other not so aesthetic problems. To top it all off I live in Miami, land of implants, cosmetic surgeries and tans, I know is hard... I still do it, because life is short and it's meant to be experienced. Believe me, here in the plastic capital of the world there are plenty of average bodies.
Go enjoy yourself.

Girl, I am 19 and no exactly what you're going through. I can swim with little kids or adults but people my age i'm like... not happening. You have to make yourself do it once, then it gets easier :) You should totally go to the pool.

I'm 22 and I spend my life at the pool in the summer. I get paid to go so I'm there, no matter if I want to be or not. I bought the best one piece (with an underwire bra so the girls are in a better place) and cute shorts to make me feel more comfortable. Go. you'll feel better about your life

Someone told me something once that i think makes a lot of sense. No one thinks about you nearly as much as you think they do. Really...because we're all thinking about ourselves.

I love to swim, but for years I was so embarrassed that I didn't fit into a swimsuit that I could afford (because the big ones are always three times the price) and I hated my body that I never went. Instead, I sat on the sidelines feeling and looking like crap, when I could have been enjoying myself. Now, I no longer care. I'm still very obese, but I could care less anymore. I put on my suit and swim. It is great exercise, it's fun and I love it!

I've already commented on this thread, but I wanted to come back and share a picture of me and my bestfriend that was taken at the beach a few years (and 45 pounds) ago. I wish it was larger, but I can't find the original, so a thumbnail has to do. This is what I stand next to every time me and my bestie go to the beach together...but it doesn't stop me. :)

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...08937c0a1d.jpg

And honey, I'm way bigger than you. Get your butt to that pool...otherwise you're just gonna miss out and regret it!!!

Hey Natasha! ......Is that at Tybee???? It looks like Tybee!!!! (I'm from Savannah :D )

I just want to say... switching out from a bikini to a one-piece swimsuit was a wonderful experience for me! And I'm talking about when I was slim - 135. I found it totally liberating to wear a swimsuit, not having to worry about how I was sitting, lying, getting up, turning over or whatever. There are some great-looking suits out there - I'd never go back!

I'm a college student too, 5'0'' and 144 lbs. My bf wants to take me to a waterpark, but like you, I'm too self conscious even for the pool. It seems like everyone our age is fit and hot, so they love to go show off at the pool. I empathize with you, but you should have fun! Go to the pool and have a good time in a tankini or something. :sunny:

Good eye!!! :) It sure is. ;) We're considering moving to Savannah after the end of the year...it's one of our favorite places in the world. Anytime we have visitors from out of state we schedule at least 1 day in Savannah.