I’ve written before about what a struggle it is to find a swimsuit. I know everyone, and I mean everyone, has something that makes finding a decent swimsuit difficult. As for me, I have a long torso and am flat following breast cancer and a mastectomy without reconstruction. I’ve never worn a prosthesis, and they say the swimming version is particularly awful.
One would think racing-style suits would work for someone like me, since most of them don’t have bras. But then there’s that long body thing. Racing suits seem to be made for short-waisted people. I tried on a bunch at Dick’s Sporting Goods, and none of them worked. I went to Big 5 at the suggestion of a reader, and they had closed their fitting rooms due to the pandemic.
Well, I returned to Big 5, and the fitting rooms were open this time. I kept sizing up until I found the sweet spot. I discovered Nike swimsuits were cut larger, but by the time I got them to fit my butt and my torso, they were too big in the chest.
Speedo and TYR are cut smaller, so I had to go up several sizes – a 38, which is equivalent to an American size 12. Kind of shocked me, but they fit! I ended up buying three. It was like Christmas in July.
How come I didn’t figure this out sooner? Probably because I convinced myself I couldn’t possibly be a size 12. Another lesson in the perils of vanity sizing.
I’m sure I will regret this, but I have included a picture of me trying it on AGAIN at home, just to be sure. All three were keepers.
More and more women are choosing to go flat after a mastectomy, and I know it’s a difficult decision. Is it weird? Will you look like a freak? I hope this visual evidence helps those who might be weighing this important decision. Being breastless is not the end of the world. At least we don’t have to worry about gravity taking over!
Swimming laps in a suit like a “real” swimmer has motivated me to swim more. I’ve always been the type who mindlessly swims lap after lap, but now I’ve started interval training, some long and slow laps and some sprints – and it’s super-fun. Definitely breaks up the boredom, and getting my heart rate up releases endorphins I can’t seem to get from walking or golf, the anti-endorphin.
It just took a little something extra to push me out of my comfort zone. I suppose it’s kind of embarrassing to think a simple change of clothes could motivate me to exercise, but then I remembered the confidence I felt when I looked good at work. Maybe it’s the same in retirement.
Dress for success!
Yes, it’s fashion, but it’s also about form and function.
This sudden burst of energy has also made me re-think how I dress for other activities. Maybe it’s just me, but even a casual walk feels better when you make an effort to look like you mean it. I see a lot of cyclists with fancy outfits, most of them are men, and I can’t help but think having a sports “uniform” motivates them as well.
Do you make a special effort to dress for your sport or outdoor activity? Does it help motivate you to exercise?
Speedos always worked for me, but I hear you on their sizing. You look great in it!
This is the first Speedo I’ve ever owned!
I would like to say I’m fashionable, but when I walk or ride my bike, my biggest concern is not to be hit by a car. I clothe myself head to toe with shocking bright orange and firetruck yellow/green.
If anybody hits me, they can never claim, “But I didn’t see her.”
Reminds me of the light rig I used to wear for my commute. It flashed multi-colored LED lights. Definitely can’t say they didn’t see me.
Oh, and being another flat person with very long torso, I found some relief with the brand Tomboy X.
I just checked them out, and I love it! I will be spending some time browsing that website. Thanks for the recommendation.
Love the photo! You look fabulous! Speedo has been my top pick for 40+ years. You have inspired me to dig out my Speedo and hit the pool tomorrow. Hope I can squeeze my carcass into it. Happy lapping to you!
Yay! Get that Speedo out and swim.
That swimsuit looks great on you, and you look great in it! I’m so glad that Big 5 has been as good to you as it’s been to me, and it beats the prices at the clothing stores to boot. As a small rib caged (28”), large busted (32G since aging seems to add breast tissue but definitely droopy), I’ve always had a problem with swim suits. No maker thinks that a large cupped suit should be small in the ribcage area. When I was younger I bought two pieced suits with bra cup sizes but my body at age 71 now, and a few extra pounds, is way past being able to wear a two piece. I don’t remember the brands of the suits that I found at Big 5 and two were tankini’s so I bought a Jantzen bottom to wear with them, but like you, I ended up with three suits because they fit and looked nice on me.
And I do think that having clothes that suit the purpose make you enjoy what you’re doing, more and get you out there more. My husband has nice outfits for tennis and hiking, and recently upgraded his home cargo shorts for a better brand for wearing around the house. As we age, we’ll take all the help we can get. If we look good, we feel better and perform better.
I was a 32D before my mastectomy, so I hear you. I also needed LOTS of support, and it just was as hard to find a swimsuit then. You are right about the prices at Big 5 — pretty darned good, all things considered. I noticed Dick’s, at least the one near me, is phasing out all the Speedos.
I love that your husband dresses well, even for around the house. This should be on a t-shirt: “As we age, we’ll take all the help we can get. If we look good, we feel better and perform better.”
Thank you!
I’m in the lots of support category too. Thank god for the European Prima Donna bras. Beautiful, comfortable, supportive, and last forever with good care. Worth their expense. I wish that I had had a breast reduction/lift years ago but I was more interested in saving for retirement then. At age 71, I feel it would be a rather large expense for vanity reasons, given the likely time left.
I have always been active (less so with my back/leg issue now, but still out there doing what I can). Big boobs have always been a hassle. Back in my 30s I joined a gym, back when they separated the women’s from the men’s side. I remember the look on the face of the young man who was creating my program when I asked him if there were any exercises that would reduce breast size. (There weren’t any, lol.) I had also studied ballet seriously during my pre-teen and teen years and although slender, I was told not to even try out for the NYCity Ballet or San Francisco ballet, because I would be eliminated on my body type immediately. American Ballet Theater might take me as they took “other” body types. You needed to have the Balanchine (boy) body then. So I got really messed up regarding my body, early, especially regarding breasts. I do thank them for staying healthy but they have consistently ignored my pleas to be perky.
I can totally relate. I could write a book about my breast history, starting in high school with horrible stretch marks and sagging … up to and including a lift before they got lopped off. I had 10 years of nice breasts. After all that, I just wasn’t sorry to see them go.
You look great in that swimsuit. Thankfully I have never had breast cancer, but I have very small breasts and look almost totally flat chested. That used to bother me when I was younger but at 69 it does not bother me at all. Like you I am slim and in good shape and my lack of breasts is in proportion to the rest of my body.
I just like to exercise and feel good. Keep it up.
Being flat or small-chested sort of pays off in the end. I’ve never understood small women who get huge implants. As you said, it’s all about proportion.
I also like to exercise and feel good. I don’t do it to attain some perfect ideal.
I love fashion. It’s one of my greatest passions. But I will have to confess that apparently nothing will make me exercise more, or any at all.
But I will admit that hearing you talk about swimming makes me kind of want to try to do better.
Or maybe not…………
It’s hard to make people exercise if they don’t want to. My husband ran off and on for years, but he hated it and only went if the moon was in the right orbit. Then he found this trail near our house, and he loves it. I can’t believe what a difference it has made in his motivation. So, maybe you just haven’t found the right thing yet.
I started “water running” and will write more about that once I’ve done it a big longer. So far, I love it, and my back feels GREAT. I never even considered it until last week, so there you go.
Thankfully, I haven’t had to deal with cancer. You can be commended for your commitment to fitness. I am particularly concerned with footwear when it comes to the right gear. Winter floor exercises are usually done in my pj’s. Summer functional fitness activities see me in the worn out capris/shorts as I tend to yard work. Donna, if I had a body like yours, I would be naked right now. Well, actually I am as I’m still enjoying morning coffee in bed!
I find even a cute new hat motivates me to do yardwork. Crazy, isn’t it? I also agree with you about good shoes. I wear Hoka Speedgoats for walking and golf. And old weather-beaten Hoka’s for yardwork.
I’m eager to see the new movie where Emma Thompson bares it all. I’m not sure about the plot, but I think she learns to love her body naked.
You and that swimsuit both look great! I almost never look at sizes anymore. There is no consistency amongst brands. Best to hold the garment up to you to get an idea, and then try it on. The number on the label is often useless.
Deb
Thanks! I agree about sizing. Our eyes are more reliable.
First, your swimming costume looks great 🙂
No, I’m afraid fashion doesn’t help me feel motivated to take exercise, although I will pay good money for items in order for them to look – if not flattering – then at least, as pleasing as possible, for those occasions when I do exercise. But not being an exerciser by nature, I don’t have to worry about the clothing requirements often, as walking doesn’t require anything other than comfortable shoes 😀
Thank you.
It seems we have a mix of exercisers and non-exercisers. But it sounds you look good for the rest of life! That alone is an accomplishment.
I remember the first time I tried on a one piece many years ago and was SHOCKED at the size that fit me. I almost didn’t buy it just because of that (yep, I was that vain) but the saleswoman explained how bathing suit sizes work. You look great and the color is nice too.
Thank you. I hear you on the color. I’m usually all black, but this one spoke to me. The sizing is nuts.
You look wonderful Donna! And yes, I definitely have better energy when I like how I look when out and about exuding sweat. And I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the corresponding energy I get from others in return seems to be more positive as well.
Just want to put out there that my daughter, a triathlete, has several of those fancy road biking outfits you are referring to. And looks great in them as well, no mean fit. So well, in fact, she said it’s borderline comical how much positive affirmation she receives from men when out in one of them road biking.
I love the story about your daughter. I do think showing up and looking like you mean it makes a difference. You’re also right about the energy we receive from others — most of us like to see people with positive body images reflected by how they present themselves.
I do like to look good when I walk. I’ve found Columbia has some great stuff.
Your swimsuit looks great. And I really can’t believe you got a size 12!! I usually try to get a long suit because I also have trouble with the suit pulling up. And I finally decided I wanted to be more comfortable so I recently bought a size 12 suit. It feels so much better but I haven’t worn it yet for swimming. But I’m ready. I’ve always liked Land’s End suits.
I have some Columbia shorts that I love. Funny, I have to size up in that brand as well. I’m kind of over the sizing thing. Whatever it takes! Glad you found one you like.