In ~6 weeks I have to/get to go to Maui with some of my closest favorite coworkers (and our spouses) as a reward for our work over the year. I love these folks, so of course I am excited about the trip itself, but these coworkers have literally never seen me without spanx on, let alone in beach attire, so I am feeling a little panicked about that.
I'm a solid size 12 and a pretty conservative dresser usually, so this is way out of my comfort zone. I do work out and eat fairly healthfully generally, but I also travel a ton, and that will continue over this 6 weeks. I work with a bunch of young 20-something sales guys.
If you had to be beach-ready in 6 weeks...
-Where would you shop for beach-appropriate, coworker appropriate clothing and swimwear? (links welcome!)
-What would your workout/eating routine look like for the next 6 weeks?
-Are there body services you'd do? Tanning, wraps, etc.? Tell me all your magical temporary beach-ready secrets please.
MM is out the window for this particular post - this is a problem I would happily throw money at.
Low/no carb, lots of walking and weights. Cute cover ups and short resort dresses over flattering swim suits- Land's End used to be better than I've seen recently. Probably my next stop would be Nordstrom for cute everything.
All these death-faking, flu-getting posts are crazy talk. You are going to Hawaii! You should enjoy it, not stress about it.
I'd eat a lean protein-heavy diet, track my calories on MFP, and significantly cut booze down. I'd try to workout as feasible, but those are all mostly to feel better, not to actually look thinner/lose weight. Crash diets/losing water weight (which most diets claiming to drop > 2 lbs/week are) are pretty unhealthy, plus you'll blow that out of the water on day 1 of vacation.
Other than that, I'd KOKO. The changes you can make in 6 weeks are pretty limited, and not worth it anyway (at least not for the sake of this trip alone!). Cute clothes that are the proper size and flattering cut for your shape will do you just fine. Trust me! I say that having done a Miami bach party weekend last January, and going to Hawaii this January -- definitely not a time of year when I feel most confident about my body.
I don't do body services, so no help there. I don't preemptively tan, and I shave rather than wax.
You might be able to get it more reasonably priced than zappos, but of course you can't beat that site for shipping & returns. I got mine from Macys or Lord & Taylor for about $75. Try a couple different styles, because I noticed some fit variances. Also, they're numerical sizes and you want to go up 1 or 2 sizes to be able to get it on and actually breathe. For example, look at this woman wearing a size 10. C'mon now!! I weigh 140 and I'm 5'2" (and my bra is 34 DDD) and I think mine is a 14.
This trip is a reward, don't think of it as a prison sentence of no-carb fun over the next 6 weeks. I guarantee no one cares if you're a size 12 or a 10---so enjoy it up as a 12 I'd still buy a few new dresses and maybe a new suit, but as a reward for earning the trip! WAY TO GO!!!!
This sounds like it's going to be really fun! I don't have any advice. I would buy some cute dresses/beach cover ups and just be confident in whatever you wear. nothing is worse than looking uncomfortable on your bathing suit! Tanning might be helpful too
I don't think a size 12 is anything to worry about. Relax and have fun!!
I took a rashguard to Cancun this summer. I didn't wear it all the time but it was nice to be able to cover up completely (after getting too much sun) and still be in the water. I saw lots of women in suits that look like rashguards and swim shorts - a more athletic look and more coverage.
Do you know the Walmart "the suit"? Trust me. Buy it. It's very flattering on curves. I was a size 10 with 32H boobs when nursing and it made me look and feel like a supermodel. And it's $20. Just buy it. Google and you'll find lots of links, but this is one:
And personally, I'd buy a small tanning package at a local place and establish a base tan before you go. I spend a lot of time in the sun and the only two sunburns I've had in my whole life were both in Hawaii.
Up your water intake, skip desserts, and walk as much as possible between now and then. If you wanted to get into great shape you could hire a personal trainer for a few hundred dollars.
Lean protein/veggie carbs/lots of water, if you want to try to lose a little weight or bloat, but I wouldn't torture yourself. People are really only worried about themselves; I highly doubt any of them are going to think less of you if you don't lose weight!
I love to get a tan when I'll be wearing a bathing suit, though. It helps you look more slender as well. I used to go to a mystic tan place, but my nice salon now offers hand-done airbrush spray tan for basically the same price.
Love of my life baby boy born 11/11. One and done not by choice; 3 years of TTC yielded 4 MMC and 2 CPs, through 4 IUIs and 2 IVFs. Focusing on making the world a better place instead...and running.
Hanging out with coworkers in bathing suits? Yes, torture and horrible. Put me in paradise and it'll be a beautiful bout of torture, but awful nonetheless.
Post by hbomdiggity on Dec 29, 2014 13:49:41 GMT -5
I accompanied a friend on a work reward trip to Maui (her H couldn't get the time off - darn!). Now this was some years (and dress sizes) ago, but honestly, we didnt really see the co-workers while in bathing attire all that much. If anything I would look for some nice wraps, so that you are covered except for when you are in the water of laying out.
The most horrifying thing was to see an older wife at the spa - I am waaay too much a prude for that full naked stuff.
I would work on not caring what my coworkers think of me. This is a vacation that is supposed to be a reward, you shouldn't have to diet for 6 weeks just to enjoy it. I'd go one piece bathing suit. I also really like micacle suits but I find them at Marshalls since I don't want to drop $120 on them at Macy's. Now is a good time to start shopping. They also have tons of nice coverups. Or when you are there, just buy a gorgeous sarong in Hawaii. I love those and you can wear them like a dress or a skirt. I also tend to lay on a beach chair and drape them on top of me, but that's because I dno't like to get too much sun.
How much time will you really be spending with the coworkers? I'd just hang with my H and enjoy the trip. Really, I'm over needing to impress the 20 year old boys I work with. And if they are looking at you too closely, I feel like that's inappropriate on their part!
I don't normally tan, but I think in this instance I'd get a spray tan. That would make me personally feel better right off the bat because the tan would cover anything I'm insecure about as far as my skin goes. Otherwise, I'd get a suit I'm totally comfortable in and a cute cover up and call it a day.
Post by shopgirl07 on Dec 29, 2014 14:26:56 GMT -5
Definitely get a bunch of cute cover-ups and caftans. And do a spray tan definitely. You'll feel like a million bucks with a cure coverup and glowing skin.
Post by redredwine on Dec 29, 2014 14:38:47 GMT -5
I don't know...I consider my size 10 "it is what it is", I LOVE food, so dieting for 6 weeks to maybe get some results to impress people who will like me no matter what size I am? Sounds awful. If you want to eat better/lose weight for you? Cool. TOtally support it. But no way would I be willing to compete with 20-somethings. That being said, I'd probably step up going to the gym to feel better because I notice I FEEL like I look 10 lbs lighter and more toned when I go regularly. The scale tells another story. Before my wedding, I hit the gym 3-4 days a week for about 6 weeks before hand and while I don't think I lost weight, I felt like I did!
Get a cute suit that you feel great in, get a spray tan before you go...and just remember you're going with your husband who loves you for who you are. Also, when I'm in Hawaii, my attitude about caring about anything goes out the window! My mind truly relaxes there, even if I am the curviest girl at the pool.
Drink a lot of water and just don't eat excessively. I'm not a fan of drastic food changes just for an upcoming event, but cutting back on desserts, booze, and heavy carb meals (pasta as an entree, for example) helps you FEEL better. I also suggest a spray tan just to build a little color since you've been in less sun in the last few months. Spend the money to go somewhere decent.
For clothing, I agree with buying the Miracle Suit or Wal-Mart's suit that PP mentioned. I'm full-figured as well and I FEEL and look great in that one. I'd also suggest trying to find some flattering maxi dresses, cute sandals, and a big/glam hat.
Treat yourself to a mani/pedi before you go and you'll feel great. I understand why you're stressed about it, I would be, too! Still, if you feel great after some self-care and pampering, you'll feel confident, and confidence makes everyone look great (cheeeeesseeeyyy.)
I don't know...I consider my size 10 "it is what it is", I LOVE food, so dieting for 6 weeks to maybe get some results to impress people who will like me no matter what size I am? Sounds awful. If you want to eat better/lose weight for you? Cool. TOtally support it. But no way would I be willing to compete with 20-somethings. That being said, I'd probably step up going to the gym to feel better because I notice I FEEL like I look 10 lbs lighter and more toned when I go regularly. The scale tells another story. Before my wedding, I hit the gym 3-4 days a week for about 6 weeks before hand and while I don't think I lost weight, I felt like I did!
Get a cute suit that you feel great in, get a spray tan before you go...and just remember you're going with your husband who loves you for who you are. Also, when I'm in Hawaii, my attitude about caring about anything goes out the window! My mind truly relaxes there, even if I am the curviest girl at the pool.
So much this - I'd be more inclined to work on toning what I've got and feeling good at my current size, not starving myself to drop a bunch of weight that will just bounce right back after the trip. But I'm a sugar addict who loves working out, so that's my bias.
And I'd definitely do a spray tan and I'd probably consider doing a 3-day juice cleanse right before the trip to lose water weight/bloat.
Hanging out with coworkers in bathing suits? Yes, torture and horrible. Put me in paradise and it'll be a beautiful bout of torture, but awful nonetheless.
This is where I am at too.
I highly recommend Jillian Michaels 30 day shred. It's 20 minutes but will get you looking good quick. Also I recommend cutting out extra carbs, sugar and (as a last resort ...) alcohol.
But if you are not worried about how you look then I say fuck all of that and rock what you got!
There is a ton of really great advice in here guys. Thank you and keep it coming!
I've been wanting to do a whole 30 for awhile anyway, so this is a good opportunity to do it, or at least something as close to it as I can manage with my travel schedule. I think a great suit and coverups are a good plan. Plus a tan and lots of All about that Bass
I'm a few pounds over where I like to be because my broken wrist sidelined me for much of the fall, so mostly this is about getting back to my normal physical shape as well as a good headspace--not suddenly becoming a size 2 in 6 weeks to impress the boys.
You can get some bathing suits that are spanx like. Spanx themselves might even make some, I'm not sure. But other than that, I would not worry about being a size 12. Nor would I worry about what your coworkers think. Unless you're trying to date one of them.
As I've gotten older and fatter, I've realized that nobody is looking at me at the beach. And frankly, they probably never were, even when I was younger. But realizing that has made it easier to walk around in a bathing suit when I need to. I just pick out a suit that makes ME comfortable and wear a cover-up that's cute, and I am good to go.
Post by sunshineluv on Dec 29, 2014 15:46:39 GMT -5
I didn't read all the responses, I would not diet, I would drink a lot of water before but that's it. I would get a spray tan, and several super cute maxi dresses and cover ups, then I would take my size 12 ass (and yes my ass is a size 12) to Hawaii and live it up.
Have fun!! I hope your worries don't ruin the trip.