Swiming in Public pool

Jul 21, 2010

I recently read and commented on a post about swimming in a public pool as a large person.    (http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/4199275/quotFat-Cowquot-in-the-pool-help/)


I reflected in my reply how happy I am to have found a place to swim where I am accepted as I am on my journey to a better self. 

My husband and I are on vacation and I wanted to still get my workout in even so we headed to the pool.

What a difference a place can make.   

My usual pool is an Olympic sized pool, so was this.
My pool is indoor and heated, so was this.
Facility compared with facility was very comparable.  

But,   the pool here was filled with kids all day hogging the pool and tonight when we went it was full of teenagers with perfect bodies.  There were perhaps 15 girls under 25 who all had perfect bodies in bikinis.    And just as many young men with six pack abs too.

no negative comments were made to us and no one pointed or stared, but I still didn't' feel comfortable working out.  I sort of moved a little in the water  but not enough to draw attention to myself, not enough to break a sweat.  

I am still proud of myself for going there to at least get some movement in even though I am on vacation.   But, it really made me appreciate my home pool.

For those wondering, I swim at the fitness center of my local hospital (Valley Medical in Renton WA).   They have a full fitness center and most of the clients are elderly or obese so they are all very accepting.  I didn't know hospitals had places like this before I found them and I don't know how common it is. But it is worth checking out if you are looking for a accepting place to go.

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