One way to think about it might be you’re saving yourself a lot of money in healthcare.
I keep telling myself that, but you should see how much money I’ve given doctors since I started this chapter in my life. I’ve had a whole slew of MRIs, X-Rays, shots, drugs and physical therapy due to knee problems from the running. I’ve had what they call ‘overuse injuries,’ drugs and physical therapy due to all the cycling I’ve done. Luckily, I’ve never been hurt swimming since I don’t do it enough due to self-consciousness.
Part of me thinks it was actually cheaper and more healthy spending all that time on the couch watching TV haha Before I started running/cycling, I hadn’t been to the doctor in over ten years.
Trust me, you won’t rip the tri race suits.
It sure feels like it. I kid you not. Mainly getting them on. Even though I’m wearing a compression outfit, it feels like I’m gonna rip the zipper when I’m trying to get the suit over my thighs and arms through the shoulder loops.
Perhaps this is a bit more in your budget?
That is pretty close to my budget. I need to wait until the first of the month, but I’ll order one to try out then maybe another as a spare. Thanks!
I think both a short term plan and a long term plan will help you deal with your situation. In the short term getting the appropriate swimming garment is the right thing to do and I am sure you’lll be successful finding what you need. In the long term, consider getting liposuction surgery in Costa Rica where it averages $3000 as opposed to $10000 here in the States. If you can’t do it this year, perhaps next year or the year after.
My point is that having a long term plan will be comforting to you as it is a goal to reach, even if it’s baby steps. Having a problem that wears you down is so emotionally draining…to the point of helplessness. You will find that having a plan/solution to your problem, even if it is long term, is very liberating. No longer are things abstract, impossible or depressing. Rather you are focused, determined and hopeful: you have a new battle to fight…a place where you can concentrate your efforts and emotions in a positve manner.
Also, if your long term plan seems too long term, trick your mind by rationalizing that there is a purpose to it. You say the weighloss is coming more slowly now. This suggests that you still have some weight to lose. If you had the money for liposuction right now, would you get it done? Or, do you need to lose another 30lbs? If you still have weight to lose, there’s no point in wasting your money. You might find that the weightloss and ideal resources converge at the right moment for you, but not one moment sooner.
“Without doubt, princes become great when they overcome difficulties and hurdles put in their path. When fortune wishes to advance a new prince…she creates difficulties for him, making them launch campaigns against him so that he is compelled to overcome them and climb higher on the ladder that they have brought him. Therefore, many judge that a wise prince must skillfully fan some enmity whenever the opportunity arises, so that in crushing it he will increase his own standing.”
N.M.
In a lot of years doing tri and raising two boys on various swim teams, I have seen a lot of unusual things in the pool, such as
morbidly obese swimmers
a downs syndrome kid who’s speedo would only cover half his rear end
a high school dwarf swimmer
a high school kids with little alligator arms
all kind of unimaginable stuff at health club pools
I understand your feelings of bashfullness and you have every right to be, but you are probably more bothered than everyone else.
Contact Marc Rubin (I think) at his website.
I think he goes by FormerFatGuy or something similar here.
His story sounds very similar to yours.
-Jot
What about a tri top? De Soto has a sale on right now. $21 for an extra large tri top. You could wear this and a jammer…
http://www.desotosport.com/products/product.asp?Category=specials&ProdID=CTT8
If your friends gossip about you and your extra skin, then they seem like shitty friends. They should congragulate you on your weight loss.
It’s designed for warmth rather than hydrodynamics, but there are some products designed for boaters that might suit your needs.
NRS (Northwest River Supply) makes a line of .5mm stretch neoprene which they call Hydroskin:
http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product_list.asp?deptid=942
I use the vest in the pool sometimes to keep warm, and have short johns for my kids. The Hydroskin little john (http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2229&pdeptid=942) costs the same as a trisuit, but would last a long time if you rinse it off after swimming in the pool. NRS might have some of their older styles on sale if you call them as well.
They also make their own rash guards and thinner shirts called Hydrosilk:
http://kayak.nrsweb.com/boating/hydrosilk
At that price, you’d get something pretty similar from the Underarmor compression shirt knock-offs sold by Target and Wal-Mart.
Congratulations on the weight loss. I’m chipping in as well that I think it makes sense to just swim and be proud.
However, I also think some compression shirts could be had really cheap–I think Nike, Underarmour, and another poster just suggested target sells knockoffs. I’d get out my google and look for bargain bin stuff on running websites.
One other thing: all this stuff has lycra, which rots in chlorine. Rinse with cold water and dry when you get home and you’ll get a lot more mileage out of whatever you do buy.
Keep up the good work!
Agreed. We’re talking function, not fashion, you’ve already done tons of work to get where you are, be proud. When I see overweight people running mid-summer wearing so much excess clothing, I am in pain just watching them sweat buckets because of long sleeves or even sweat pants.
I know it’s not on the same level, but if it makes you feel any better, I have 10 nasty, gnarly, fungus toenails that I have to use an industrial grinder to trim, I don’t give a shit if it’s unsightly or not, I’m there to swim.
congratulations on making a lifestyle change… And getting a chance to live a longer stronger life. I’m with the others, as an athlete (start thinking like one since you’ve become one!) when working out, more consumed with our own workout than some guy with loose skin. Your entitled to be self conscious, and I’d want you to be your own biggest critic, but no one is there to stare and laugh. If they are, they’re not your friends.
What mojozen said above about setting forth a plan, wise advice. No one knows what your going through, or did as a heavier person. The easy route was sitting on your ass, the living life route is getting off your ass (GOYA) a motto I use constantly when asked how to start or do ect. You’ve figured out how now keep doing it, and gain that self confidence. Swimming is non weight bearing so the injuries should be less.
Again congratulations and keep GOYA!
I’m something of a former fatty myself. I didn’t get to the point where I had a lot of extra skin, I topped out around 260 and am just under 200 now, will be dropping to 185.
I do have a question…and this one may sound stupid.
Over time will your body adapt and “absorb” the extra skin? If so, how long does that take?
If your body won’t absorb this after a year or two…I’d say start saving for the surgery. Someone mentioned Costa Rica…you might also look at Canada. Or…speak to your doctor about your desire to have this surgery and the price issue. A lot of doctors are willing to work with their patients on costs. And a lot of plastic surgeons are independent, so they have more latitude to work something out. I’d like to think they are more likely to help someone like you trying to be healthier than an idiot like Heidi Montag who wants to go from an F-cup to an H-cup.
As far as swimming goes, unless you are getting racing suits which can be expensive and type of torso cover is going to add drag. And that is NOT a bad thing. I almost always wear a drag suit when I swim. That added drag can be helpful as you train because you feel so good in race situations. while a t-shirt is an obnoxious amount of drag, others have made good recommendations. I don’t think you need anything real expensive. Just get a top that doesn’t have as much drag as a t-shirt and you’ll feel better. And hopefully it is just a temporary thing until you get everything else figured out.
Good luck.
Bro,
Let me first say CONGRATZ. I was 452 lbs 6 years ago. I began competing (for me just finishing) triathlons in 2005. Now 70 plus tris, including a couple halfs and one IM I am at 262 and looking to be at 195 for IMAZ this November.
Needless to say - I know your pain on the flap of the skin.
I’m gonna offer a couple of thoughts on this.
I trained in a T-Shirt at the YMCA every-time I swam and then on race day I just went with the tri shorts. I was petrified ND AND AND I got plenty of stares, but it was only a dew minutes. I would wear my t-shirt right up until the race start and take it off and ditch it as i entered the water. My wife would always pick it up for me or I’d get it after the race.
It sucks we feel like this and it sucks we get the looks, but we brought it on ourselves right? I began looking at my flap as a badge of honor in the beginning and then as it got worse I just hated it and began to get screwed in the head a bit, but I couldn’t have the nip and tuck either, until I got to a weight that was responsible . . . And that took a while.
I began to understand that my friends in the Tri Club here could give to red craps about what I looked like, they were just happy to help me succeed and my friends are my friends, and everyone else that may gawk or even say ridonkulous things out of ignorance - They don’t matter and they push me harder.
Therefore I leave you with:
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Train with a T-shirt - It actually made me faster in the race, but do it for that reason and screw the haters who might get a kick out of your weight loss success.
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Begin coming to grips with the loose skin and figure out a game plan to get rid of it. I say this because I am sure you have high goals set in this sport and I was forced to have the lower body lift. i had the abdominal and upper lift voluntarily, but the lower I had out of necessity since I bore a hole in my leg during IMFL last November. You know that drill, I lather up with lube, but when you have SOOOO much loose skin it doesn’t matter. Well I literally bore a hole in my leg that required the area to be removed so I just had both legs done and I will tell you . . . I am very happy.
So start saving, monthly and go have the lifts done. I will recommend the best guy I know out of Baylor in Houston TX.
- Be proud - Be Very Proud.
Keep up the good fight and if I can help anymore let me know. My blog (which I have neglected lately, but lots of good history as I went through the weight loss) is www.tri-ingfatman.blogspot.com
CHEERS!