That was a phrase I didn't expect to say. My 20 something daughter and I were doing a dolphin swim. A wetsuit is recommended since the Water can be chilly. I'm down 60 pounds since surgery so I figured-go for it. Try it. The worse is you will look like Shamu and it won't fit.

The attendant handed me a size 16. I giggled inside at the thought someone thought I was a 16. I asked for an 18 'cause I know you work up a sweat getting the thing on. Also, 18 is the biggest they stock.

I went into the dressing room, slipped on my suit and then pulled up the wetsuit. Slowly over the torso, then a tug and my arms were in. Ah, the zipper....

I walked out and my size three daughter was waiting. She started to cry and got her arms around me in a hug. She said she never thought she would see me in a wetsuit and now she knew I would live a long life and be able to do anything with her.

She zipped me up and the wetsuit was baggy! The attendant was right with the 16, but no way was I trading in a baggy for a skin tight wetsuit! I wore that thing for the rest of the day. I was normal and fit in because I had a wetsuit. Others who couldn't fit into a wetsuit we're also there and went in with the dolphins in a regular bathing suit. It wasn't that cold. But for once, I fit in. I might have been lumpy, but hey, no one much over 40 looked really hot in the wetsuit. I fit in.

So for those who have family and friends who are giving their opinion on your health, screw ' em. Do what is right for you to live a long, healthy and happy life. Who knows-your next swim may be in a wetsuit!

@@Lani789 Awe! Congratulations! That's some good stuff!!

@@Lani789

You ROCKED it!

That's awesome!! I love the part about your daughter being so happy for you too!!

My daughter is really enjoying this journey with me. She is 15 1/2 and has never known me at a smaller size, I have always been overweight, it makes my heart happy when she gets so excited with my progress and I LOVE shopping with her now for me!!

Keep up the good work!!

Congrats! - I know where you're coming from on this one. On our honeymoon we needed to wear wetsuits whilst snorkelling, due to the risk of stingers. None of the ladies' ones fit me, and the big men's ones were huge at the top but still too small at the bottom, so I had to go without.

It must have felt great to be in the group of 'normals', lol.

Edited January 7, 201511 yr by mrs kaje

And I forgot to add, that much to my daughter's amazement and concern, I was able to do underwater somersaults. I just felt the need to do it. So I flipped a few off. I think the lifeguard was amazed as well. I wasn't, 'cause I knew I had everything under control (for that afternoon at least!).

Next goal-not standing out as an American in Europe. Four months to goal!