Kinda OT: Mexico: excited, but oh the skin!!

 I come to this wonderful forum where people will understand.  I've never been on any kind of a tropical vacation.  Mostly by design.  And I'm still not very excited about the prospect of being in little clothing.  By the same token, I don't want to just wear tshirts everywhere, either!  I'm not very happy with my skin, but I also want to celebrate the fact that I'm not 277lbs anymore!  

So the deal is I'm going to Playa del Carmen with my boyfriend and his softball team to an all-inclusive resort (yea!).  But I imagine most of the time people will be just wearing swimsuits, coverups, shorts, etc.  All the things the former me would never wear and the current me is reticent to try.  I have the anti-bikini body.  No curves, especially no chest, and stretch marked/slightly saggy tummy and batty arms.  I started searching mormon swimsuits thinking they'd be more conservative (they exist, no kidding, and are pretty sticking cute) to which my boyfriend greatly protests.  

So:  recommendations.  Will I get there and not care?  Tan?  Exercise over the next 6 weeks?  Good swimsuit ideas or favorite coverups?  Speaking of which, any favorite waterproof makeup?  I'm not expecting to look or feel like I've had plastic surgery over the next 6 weeks, but if I could fudge it a little bit or just feel more comfy in my saggy skin, I think it would lead to a much happier trip.

 I'd go with a Tankini (they are usually pretty tummy flattering), try Land's End they have a nice selection of even padded tops.  Then I'd invest in a cool large scarf/throw to wrap around the top for the arms.  But I will note we tend to be much harder on ourselves than others so I wouldn't really worry about it too much.

I agree...land's end has some great tankini's.

I hope you feel great in whatever you decide you wear because you have come so far and should be so proud!


Patty

I looked at your pics and I think you look great. I'd never think "too much skin."

You will probably want to tan. Just because that always makes me feel thinner and sexier. It makes me very confident and confidence can be sexy. I just feel thinner when tan. Spray tan is the best since it's not harmful.

I agree with her, a tankini if you feel self conscious. I also (when I was thin) liked those sarong things that tie around you either around the waist or around one shoulder. I liked those even when I was young and thin because EVERYONE is self conscious in a bathing suit. Once you get on the beach and everyone is in their bathing suits, you get used to it and it's fun. I know they make one piece minimizers that are layered around the stomach and push up the bubbies. You probably have to just go try on a bunch of different styles until you find something that you feel good in. You do look amazing. You might want to try not to be TOO sexy so the boyfriend doesn't have to fight anyone off. :)

Hi,
I just looked at your pictrues and you look amazing! You've done a great job.
Land's End is great, you can also try Boden USA. I love love love the vibrant colors
BodenUSA - http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Womens-Swimwear.html#nav

I saw pics of you im swim suits on your profile. You look fine! It's not all skinny people at tropical resorts. There are families and fat people too! There will be tiny girls, big girls, medium girls, and probably some girls in bikinis who are 277 pounds. Btw, your arms do NOT look batty and I don't see skin on your stomach. That 1 piece pink swim suit that you had on was very cute.

I second everyone else's suggestions about tanning, and the tankini if you feel very self conscious.

You are beautiful and now you have a rockin' bod to go with it! There are tons of sexy suits out there that still cover things up. I'd try the Boston Proper website or my personal fave for all things next to the skin--www.barenecessities.com They will have suits with underwire to hold up whatever you have left as well as bathing suit inserts to push up what you have left. They also have tummy control versions that will hold things tight like a shaper undergarment would.

Absolutely get a spray tan. It will make you look less lumpy if you have any areas that aren't as smooth as you'd like. For the face, I like Lancome Flash Bronzer--oil free and provides a nice, believable color for the face. Also, there are really cute gauze tunic coverups that are sheer and sexy but cover up all those things you'd rather not have people see.

Now, none of this is very cheap, but looking sexy never is (unless you are naked, but most public places frown on that sort of thing...). I, too, have always avoided tropical locales, so enjoy yourself for all of us here who have yet to take the plungs, so to speak!

They make the cutest board shorts for women now! You can find them all over the web in different inseam lengths. I'm having the same issues...I do NOT want to show my legs! I found a pair of black yoga capri's in a wicking type lycra material and a tankini with all sorts of vibrant colors that look cute together for when I kayak this summer.

No matter what...screw what other people think...go have fun and don't be a prisoner of your new body!!! You look gorgeous to me!

Heidi

I went to an all inclusive for two weeks back at the six month mark, I go for enjoyment not the glamour part. Careful of the salt content in the food lol I was up three pounds when I came back but dropped it quickly.

Go and enjoy yourself, have a great time.

 I have purchased tankinis from Marshalls and Ross.  They have the bottoms that have a little skirt.  They work well.  They are black, so you can match with other tops.  I lived in Hawaii so I understand the tropical issues with little clothes.  I have little strugges (sp) to put over tops and dresses.  Good luck and have fun....