I am hoping to share and encourage others as this has really helped me.

First off, the gym and I are not friends. I am uncomfortable and was always waiting for someone to call me an imposter and toss me out.

I do like to walk the dogs, but with the heat, neither I or the dogs want to go far.

If you are so lucky as me to have access to a pool, then I encourage you to JUMP IN! lol

I am doing some swim laps (exhausting, so I do them in small spurts) and water aerobics. I use a ball and sometimes a small float when I need a break (though I am kicking at this time). The key is to never stop moving. I run laps in pool, I do leg lifts, jumping jacks, arm exercises and dance moves (yes I have a fence) lol

I have not worn a bathing suit in 2 years and have avoiding all bodies of water. (I live at the Jersey shore, so it has been hard to do when you have kids).

I wear a long T-shirt over my bathing suit, because I still have lots of wt to lose and it makes me not so self-concious. So there went the excuse of not being in a bathing suit. (believe me I had every excuse)

This is the only thing that I am doing regularly. Don't know if I have lost anymore since starting (only been about 5 days), but I feel so much better.

This forum has helped me out a lot..I hope I can return the favor.

Happy journeys,

Banded 5 June 2009 (Perth, Western Australia)

SW: 125 kilo

CW: 115 kilo

GW: 75 kilo

I am about to join Water aerobics myself at our local heated pool on a Tueaday evening. I did this a few years back when I was trying to loose weight and found it fantastic. Not only were there other "big girls" and a few larger fellas, there were old grannies, new Mum's etc and no one judged anyone else or their big bottoms. I tried the gym and felt so uncomfortable with all the size 10 girls who starved themselves and wore pretty matching gym clothes and faces full of make up. I only lasted two or three sessions.

I find exercising in the water, easier on my back, knees ankles etc and gives a lot beter work out than most people would think cause you have the water resistence.

I've spent ten years wearing huge t-shirts over my bathers (pretty hard to swim and not get pulled under at times) and even though I have my own lovely pool will not go in it if we have visitors (not even in the t-shirt). My goal is to go in this Christmas when we have people over and not be humiliated. I don't expect to be thin, just not so huge and more comfortable in myself.

Glad to hear someone else is finding the water helpful too.