Beach trip with coworkers - PANIC

[y4m]

Anyone feel like Maxi-dress shopping? I love deep v-necks and have a few old ones I love from old navy, but they don't seem to have them anymore.

Other pear-friendly coverups also appreciated.

Sadly the parts of me a swimsuit covers are the parts I feel best about (i.e. a spanx suit does me no good because I don't need help with my belly, I need help with my thighs!)

[boiler717]

I've had this problem before! Low carb, cut out the booze, cardio.

But really the best thing you can do is get some fantastic swimsuits, great cover ups, a fantastic beach bag, and fancy sunglasses and a hat. Wedge sandals always give me more confidence too.

[emilyinchile]

Dec 29, 2014 13:21:02 GMT -5 bluesecrets said:

Low carb and drink only water/coffee. In 6 weeks, you can probably drop 20lbs by focusing on staying under 30 carbs a day. 

Dude. Is this supposed to be under 30 carbs/meal? I was going to say that low-carb/high protein does drop some fat pretty quickly, but 30 carbs is like half a banana. You can eat more than that and still get leaner, I promise.

I see your follow up about already being a bit heavier than you're comfortable with, so in that case I wish you luck and positive feelings with whatever combo of diet/exercise/cute clothes you choose. But as much as possible, try not to worry about your CWs - it'll probably be 5 seconds of "aaaaand I'm seeing y4m in a swim suit instead of a business suit, and she's doing the same with me, this is a little weird," and then you'll all be used to it.

[Deleted]

Just wanted to chime in and say have an awesome time!!

Starve yourself for no one...splurge on a cute coverup / tunic, maxi dress / beach dress and cute suit and rock on with your bad self in HAWAII!!

[leeluu]

My biggest wardrobe tip is get a pair of polarized sunglasses. They are perfect for watching the whales from the beach/the road/everywhere. You are going to Maui at the best whale watching time!

[lindyanne]

Just drink a lot when you're there so you don't care

[wanderlustmom]

I agree with everyone else! Don't worry about your coworkers--people don't even really notice--and what they will most notice is if you look comfortable and confident.

But if you want to lose for yourself--what worked for me was five days of one hour of cardio, weight lifting with a personal trainer and Weight Watchers. I tracked everything I ate and lost almost twenty pounds in four months. I kept it off for two years and now I'm back for some relearning.

Have a wonderful time-sounds really fun! And I mean it! I have never been to Hawaii.

[sarahsas]

Just put it in the back of your mind. Get a suit and cover up that you're comfortable in and say screw it. They are going to be there to soak up the scenery, not critique you. And if they do - you can't stop it. Just have fun and be fun!

[Poppy]

I agree with those who say you should just find things that fit well and you feel good in and go enjoy yourself.


My favorite cover up:
m.shop.nordstrom.com/s/elan-stripe-convertible-cover-up-dress/3299757
They also have solid black and solid red if you do a search (mine is striped).

I like the robe one that milsaroo posted as well.

My favorite suit (basically "the suit"):
www.modcloth.com/shop/onepiece-swimwear/bathing-beauty-one-piece-swimsuit-in-black

I am also a size 10/12 FWIW.

[twolittlecheers]

Lots and lots of water. Low carb and walking. Is also get a couple cute cover ups and a spray tan. I always feel better with a little extra color.
Have a great trip and relax.

[mrsukyankee]

In six weeks I wouldn't do anything drastic  - like Susie said, it's not healthy and is a recipe for future weight gain (and I know this from experience).  Go for perhaps a 1/2 lb a week loss using MFP (figure out your TDEE using Scooby Workshop and subtract 15%).  If you are already planning on exercising but are travelling, the NerdFitness bodyweight exercise routine is really great.  And be full of confidence.  It's the one thing I love about people in Europe - even without having body perfect bodies, they walk with confidence and that is what you notice.

[y4m]

Dec 30, 2014 9:13:26 GMT -5 carrotsmakemefat said:

Does spanx make bathing suits?

Well not for ones thighs anyway

[h]

I would buy a slimming one piece black swimsuit and some cute but modest tunic style coverups for the beach and some flowy sundresses and maxi dresses for dinner and outings (plus shorts and tees for anything active), then call it good. I am not sure what this says about me, but I would be happy to let my coworkers stare at my flabby mom stomach in exchange for a trip to Hawaii. No one ever notices or cares what you look like as much as you think they do, and I doubt your coworkers are all perfect physical specimen themselves anyway.

I bought a navy and white print tunic at Lands End similar to this one last summer and got tons of compliments on it: www.landsend.com/products/womens-tunic-cover-up-with-soutache---quatrefoil-print/id_279616
.

[Deleted]

If you have cellulite, my quick cellulite fix is Bliss Fat Girl Slim. I use it daily during shorts season and it really helps smooth things out.

I'd probably do strict low carb leading up to the vacation too.

[v]

There is a lot of good advice in here so I won't add to that, but also focus on this part of your OP: "some of my closest favorite coworkers." These people are friends. They aren't going to judge. So be sure to cut yourself some slack here!!!

[gt7301b]

You have nothing to worry about, we are much more judgemental of ourselves when it comes to looks than others are. Drink some Mai Tais and it will be fine

[Deleted]

Dec 29, 2014 15:48:07 GMT -5 y4m said:

Anyone feel like Maxi-dress shopping? I love deep v-necks and have a few old ones I love from old navy, but they don't seem to have them anymore.

Other pear-friendly coverups also appreciated.

Sadly the parts of me a swimsuit covers are the parts I feel best about (i.e. a spanx suit does me no good because I don't need help with my belly, I need help with my thighs!)

I love the Caslon maxis from Nordstrom.

[CloudBee]

I would just get a really cute cover-up, and do a tankini set with a swim skirt. I'm not sure I would want to expose my stomach/thighs to colleagues. I'm fairly modest, though.

ETA: I agree with spending more time/money/effort on finding beach attire that makes you feel confident vs. trying to change your body in a mere 6 weeks.

[sarahsas]

Another thing - I found that I feel much more comfortable in a suit that covers my thighs/has a little skirt type thing. If that's an area that bothers you, find one. I went to the pool with some friends last summer and ALL of them (thinner than me - even pretty small) had the same type!

[y4m]

Dec 30, 2014 15:25:11 GMT -5 sarahsas said:

Another thing - I found that I feel much more comfortable in a suit that covers my thighs/has a little skirt type thing. If that's an area that bothers you, find one. I went to the pool with some friends last summer and ALL of them (thinner than me - even pretty small) had the same type!

I also love skirt suits.  Are they like...dated or lame or for old ladies though?  

[boiler717]

I think skirt suits are fine!

I absolutely love this cover up -- very flattering and keeps you cool unlike a lot of cotton heavy ones.
m.macys.com/shop/product/dotti-lasercut-v-neck-kimono-cover-up?ID=1132077&CategoryID=8699

[PandaPear]

Dec 30, 2014 18:49:26 GMT -5 y4m said:

Dec 30, 2014 15:25:11 GMT -5 sarahsas said:

Another thing - I found that I feel much more comfortable in a suit that covers my thighs/has a little skirt type thing. If that's an area that bothers you, find one. I went to the pool with some friends last summer and ALL of them (thinner than me - even pretty small) had the same type!

I also love skirt suits.  Are they like...dated or lame or for old ladies though?  

I wore skirt suits all last summer and they worked well - felt that they were much better to cover thigh/hip area than other options and I liked not worrying about constantly covering up.

My favorite was Athena, which I found on 6pm.com and amazon, and also got a bunch from Macy's and Target.

[stealthmom]

Dec 29, 2014 12:41:35 GMT -5 y4m said:

If you had to be beach-ready in 6 weeks...


-Where would you shop for beach-appropriate, coworker appropriate clothing and swimwear? (links welcome!)

There is a line of suits that MAcy's sells that I LOVE. It's called Profile by Gottex. I've now gotten a tankini and swim dress from them. Both were mega flattering.


-What would your workout/eating routine look like for the next 6 weeks?

I wouldn't change anything.  I would just focus on finding quality clothes.  Nothing is really going to change that much in 6 weeks if you're being healthy about it.

-Are there body services you'd do?  Tanning, wraps, etc.?  Tell me all your magical temporary beach-ready secrets please.

I wouldn't tan.  But I would get all the hair ripped out of my body and get hair and nails done.

MM is out the window for this particular post - this is a problem I would happily throw money at.