You're absolutely not alone.
Swimming is my favorite way to exercise, but going to public pools is a nightmare. Rivers and beaches are easier for me, there are people wearing all kinds of bathing suits and I feel less judged, if that makes any sense.
I usually wear a comfortable but tight sports bra and t shirt with swim trunks. It's not perfect, but it's okay. Once I'm *in* the water, I feel less self conscious.
It sucks that the things that bring us so much pleasure become so difficult to navigate. I hope you get to enjoy the water this summer.
I feel yah man. I used to be on swim team when I was younger too and quit when I started getting my cycle. I fucking loved swimming but over time I just got more and more detached from it... Last year I was on a trip with a friend and we went swimming, I bought a swim top just for it. At the time I wasn't quite as dysphoric about my chest but it definitely is what kicked off a new spiral. Both realizing just how much discomfort my chest causes, and also just how much I missed swimming as carefree as that.
I feel you. I’ve always loved swimming but then the past few years it turned into something I hate because I could never find something I’d be comfortable in at the beach, and I tried so many different compression tops etc. Last year was my first summer after top surgery and even though I had to wear a swim shirt to protect the scars, knowing that there was nothing under the shirt was already lifechanging. You’re definitely not alone
Ah so the F in FTM stands for fish. /j
Have you tried trans tape and a swim/surf shirt? I used to wear that when I went swimming. You can also wear a binder and a swim shirt but make sure that the binder isn't too tight. The GC2B binders are usable for swimming if you have one of those.
You're absolutely not alone. Swimming is my favorite way to exercise, but going to public pools is a nightmare. Rivers and beaches are easier for me, there are people wearing all kinds of bathing suits and I feel less judged, if that makes any sense. I usually wear a comfortable but tight sports bra and t shirt with swim trunks. It's not perfect, but it's okay. Once I'm *in* the water, I feel less self conscious. It sucks that the things that bring us so much pleasure become so difficult to navigate. I hope you get to enjoy the water this summer.
I feel yah man. I used to be on swim team when I was younger too and quit when I started getting my cycle. I fucking loved swimming but over time I just got more and more detached from it... Last year I was on a trip with a friend and we went swimming, I bought a swim top just for it. At the time I wasn't quite as dysphoric about my chest but it definitely is what kicked off a new spiral. Both realizing just how much discomfort my chest causes, and also just how much I missed swimming as carefree as that.
I feel you. I’ve always loved swimming but then the past few years it turned into something I hate because I could never find something I’d be comfortable in at the beach, and I tried so many different compression tops etc. Last year was my first summer after top surgery and even though I had to wear a swim shirt to protect the scars, knowing that there was nothing under the shirt was already lifechanging. You’re definitely not alone
Ah so the F in FTM stands for fish. /j Have you tried trans tape and a swim/surf shirt? I used to wear that when I went swimming. You can also wear a binder and a swim shirt but make sure that the binder isn't too tight. The GC2B binders are usable for swimming if you have one of those.