Wetsuits and body fat/weight fluctuations

[GearheadExplorer85]

Hi everyone:

I'm looking for advise on what to do for exposure protection while losing weight. I'm located on Vancouver Island, BC. I'm getting back into diving and just finished my refresher training.

I currently have an Akona 2-piece 7mm farmer john (7mm overalls with 7mm front-zip shorty on top). I purchased this back in 2012 when I first got into diving. At the time, it served me well and did a good job at keeping me warm over multiple dives.

However, my body has changed during my hiatus from 2016 to now. I'm barrel chested, heavier, have a bit more body fat, and have more upper body muscle. As a result, my wetsuit doesn't fit me properly anymore. When I pulled my suit out from my closet and tried to put it on dry, I really struggled with getting it on. I was able to get into my 7mm overalls, but it was a battle. The shorty that goes over top was borderline impossible to zip up all the way because my upper body is bigger now. After lubricating the zipper and fighting it some more, I was eventually able to zip the shorty up all the way. But my movement was very restricted and I felt like the Michelin man XD I didn't have my hood on by the way. I dreaded the thought of putting the hood on and passing out from heat exhaustion. It took about an hour to get everything on.

I know dry suits are the ideal choice for diving in my region. The fact of the matter is that I can't afford a good drysuit right now. I do plan to buy one in the future though for diving the Great Lakes. But it's going to take me a few years to save up for one.

So...I'm considering my options for wetsuits

1) Not dive until I lose weight and can fit in my old suit again (Pros: Cheapest option | Cons: Could take a while and I won't be able to dive which obviously isn't ideal lol)

2) Rent suits until I get to my target weight and then buy a new suit (Pros: shop should always have the size of suit I need | Cons: Cost could add up to a lot if I do a lot of diving)

3) Buy a different sized shorty to put over my existing 7mm overalls (Pros: Probably the next cheapest option | Cons: Will have to buy a new suit once I get to my target weight)

4) Buy a new suit that fits my body now (Pros: Will be more comfortable in the water now | Cons: Will have to buy a new suit once I lose weight)

- For this option, I was considering a single-piece front zip jumpsuit like this: TherMaxx® Men’s Front Zip Jumpsuit • Henderson Aquatics​

- At my LDS, I rented a Henderson 3mm shorty back-zip for my pool refresher and really liked it. I also tried on a Henderson 7mm back-zip jumpsuit in the shop and really liked it also. Out of all the suits I tried, the Henderson's seem stretchier and seem easier to don and doff.​

​

I'm 100% sure I'm not the first person and won't be the last person to go through this. I would really appreciate other's feedback and experience on this.

Thanks!

 

[Altamira]

Hi everyone:

I'm looking for advise on what to do for exposure protection while losing weight. I'm located on Vancouver Island, BC. I'm getting back into diving and just finished my refresher training.

I currently have an Akona 2-piece 7mm farmer john (7mm overalls with 7mm front-zip shorty on top). I purchased this back in 2012 when I first got into diving. At the time, it served me well and did a good job at keeping me warm over multiple dives.

However, my body has changed during my hiatus from 2016 to now. I'm barrel chested, heavier, have a bit more body fat, and have more upper body muscle. As a result, my wetsuit doesn't fit me properly anymore. When I pulled my suit out from my closet and tried to put it on dry, I really struggled with getting it on. I was able to get into my 7mm overalls, but it was a battle. The shorty that goes over top was borderline impossible to zip up all the way because my upper body is bigger now. After lubricating the zipper and fighting it some more, I was eventually able to zip the shorty up all the way. But my movement was very restricted and I felt like the Michelin man XD I didn't have my hood on by the way. I dreaded the thought of putting the hood on and passing out from heat exhaustion. It took about an hour to get everything on.

I know dry suits are the ideal choice for diving in my region. The fact of the matter is that I can't afford a good drysuit right now. I do plan to buy one in the future though for diving the Great Lakes. But it's going to take me a few years to save up for one.

So...I'm considering my options for wetsuits

1) Not dive until I lose weight and can fit in my old suit again (Pros: Cheapest option | Cons: Could take a while and I won't be able to dive which obviously isn't ideal lol)

2) Rent suits until I get to my target weight and then buy a new suit (Pros: shop should always have the size of suit I need | Cons: Cost could add up to a lot if I do a lot of diving)

3) Buy a different sized shorty to put over my existing 7mm overalls (Pros: Probably the next cheapest option | Cons: Will have to buy a new suit once I get to my target weight)

4) Buy a new suit that fits my body now (Pros: Will be more comfortable in the water now | Cons: Will have to buy a new suit once I lose weight)

- For this option, I was considering a single-piece front zip jumpsuit like this: TherMaxx® Men’s Front Zip Jumpsuit • Henderson Aquatics​

- At my LDS, I rented a Henderson 3mm shorty back-zip for my pool refresher and really liked it. I also tried on a Henderson 7mm back-zip jumpsuit in the shop and really liked it also. Out of all the suits I tried, the Henderson's seem stretchier and seem easier to don and doff.​

​

I'm 100% sure I'm not the first person and won't be the last person to go through this. I would really appreciate other's feedback and experience on this.

Thanks!

Another solution is to find someone that does custom wetsuits who should be able to modify/add strips of neoprene to change the size and fit of the parts that no longer work for you. I did that with my Bare 3 and 5mm wetsuits a couple years ago after putting on weight, and it worked great. I sent mine to Terrapin Custom Wetsuits here in Texas, but you may be able find someone in your area that can provide the same service. Good luck.

 

[bradlw]

One more option for you
5) skip the suit all together and put the money instead in the hands of the airlines to take you to warm places where no suit is required

seriously though
yeah, as someone who is getting back into diving after a long time off I can confirm...diving is expensive.

My situation is similar but different. I had gained quite a bit of weight in my time off but then went carnivore a few years back and lost it, actually a bit trimmer now than I was back then. My body shape is different now but the few old pieces that I still have fit, BUT much of it needed to be replaced from age anyway. I had tossed my primary suit years ago because it was worn out. Both of my BC bladders needed to be replaced, can't get parts reliably for my regulators so I bought new. Yeah, expensive hobby!
anyway
I'd suggest this. Sounds like your goal is to lose some weight. So be honest with yourself re. what is your method, and be honest with yourself regarding the timeline for your goal.
and
how much diving will you really do between now and that end goal? Is it just a dive or two here at the tail end of summer then off for the winter?
If it's a short time, &/or if you'll only dive a few times before getting your weight down, maybe renting makes a lot of sense to me
If it's a long time, then maybe buying something that's cheap but that fits for now makes more sense (either a cheap brand or used or both)
If you can still get into your farmer john but it's tight, maybe that will serve as motivation to stick with it and lose the weight
and if you rent, maybe the sting of the expense will be motivation.
But if you buy something nice and that fits, you won't have the motivation to stick with your efforts to change.


I don't know anything about your situation of course...and not trying to hijack the thread or jump into anything...but I'm compelled to suggest that you look into carnivore (or at least keto). I am convinced that it is the proper human diet for most folks. I tried all the usual methods...again and again and again. worked hard on several different occasions. Sometimes when I worked extremely hard at it I'd lose a little bit...but it always came back...I even tried meds from my Dr on three different occasions. Once when I tried really hard, the prescription worked but it was hard and took a lot of will power. Was down to a good weight bit not down to my ideal...then as soon as the meds ended the trend upward continued

One day I was researching my GERD problem.... not even focusing on weight loss. Came across a Dr online preaching carnivore and talking about it being the "proper human diet". He suggested an elimination trial. I think it was three months eating hard-core carnivore, then reintroduce things to see how your body reacts.
I got off on a rat trail of research for a long while and found lots of both scientific and anecdotal evidence that has me convinced that carnivore, or at least very strict keto is the way to live.

In hindsight I don't think his method of cold-turkey is probably the best way of making the transition, but it's not far off. Anyway, I tried it. The weight fell off easier and faster than anything I'd ever tried before. I wasn't even trying to lose weight. My weight eventually stabilized without my even trying...and later when I looked closer, I happened to be pretty much right in the middle of my suggested ideal BMI range. It eventually crept back up just a smidge but has held steady without effort for a long time now.
My only regret about it was that I didn't know enough going in, and lost weight too fast....losing some muscle mass in the process.

 

[GearheadExplorer85]

Another solution is to find someone that does custom wetsuits who should be able to modify/add strips of neoprene to change the size and fit of the parts that no longer work for you. I did that with my Bare 3 and 5mm wetsuits a couple years ago after putting on weight, and it worked great. I sent mine to Terrapin Custom Wetsuits here in Texas, but you may be able find someone in your area that can provide the same service. Good luck.

Thanks! I did find a place near me that does this, but they don't have a flat rate for this. They have to quote me for it, which makes sense. Then I would have to compare the cost of that vs a new off-the-shelf suit vs a new custom.

 

[GearheadExplorer85]

One more option for you
5) skip the suit all together and put the money instead in the hands of the airlines to take you to warm places where no suit is required

LMAO That certainly is a viable option

Regarding your comments on nutrition/fitness/motivation, you made a lot of good points.

I need to lose about 20-25 pounds. If I'm being honest with myself, it would probably take me six months to pull off. I'm not completely out of shape BTW. My cardio is decent (I can run 7.5k at a decent pace without stopping). I've been doing various lifting exercises at my local YMCA for a good portion of the year. It's my diet/portions that I need to pay more attention to and stick with consistently.

Realistically, I'll probably do 2-4 dives a month in the current weather. As it gets colder, I'll lower that to 2 per month.

 

[gmerick]

In my first dozen or so dives, I found I simply could not wear most rental wetsuits. I'm definitely barrel chested (52") but proportionately narrow waisted (36"). If I struggled and squeezed, and had help with th zipper, I could get a 7mm neoprene on, but there was so much compression in my chest that breathing was not at all natural, I thought it a safety hazard.

So don't attempt to use a wetsuit that is way too small. Consider the cost of a wetsuit vs the cost of a dive trip. the comfort and utility of a properly fitting wetsuit is well worth it. What works for me is an XSScuba 4XL. I have both the 3/2 shorty and the 7mm farmer john. they are both too tight in the chest, baggy at the waist, and tight in the thighs, but they work for now.

The farmer john sees much less use now, as I invested in a drysuit. The shorty is showing wear, and I'm shopping for a 3/2 custom suit for the Caribbean. I just have to convince the suit tailor that yes, the suit needs to be cut like a triangle.

 

[lowwall]

My suggestion is you get one of these in your current size for $99.

Neosport by Henderson waterman

Waterman" A name given to a person who works or spend his life on, in or around the water, NeoSport couldn't think of a better name for their new 7mm Jacket. With its Trident Waterman Logo, this suit...

www.scuba.com

They also come in 5mm and 3mm.

You can pair it with their Farmer John for another $99 if your Akona won't work

Neosport by Henderson waterman

Waterman: A name given to a person who works or spend his life on, in or around the water, NeoSport couldn't think of a better name for their new 7mm John. With its thermal bonded diamond plate knee...

www.scuba.com

Neosport is Henderson's budget line. Once you get to your desired weight/size, you can splurge on the Henderson Thermoprene version of the jacket.

Henderson Thermoprene Jacket

Divers seeking a great value will appreciate Thermoprene's balance of performance and price. The material combination delivers greater flexibility and improved features not found in standard neoprene...

www.scuba.com

I have one of these in 3mm and I love it. it's so easy to get into, comfortable, and warm enough for the dives I do.

 

[DrakeTheDiver]

I mean, I am kind of in the same spot. I had never heard of wetsuit alterations. That may be a good deal. I have dove a ton in a wetsuit that is way too small, it is tight and restrictive, but for recreational dives and for working it was fine. However especially if you are going to buy a new one anyways, as it sounds like proportions have changed as well as the weight, I would wait until you are where you want to be. You can make do for a few months without a new one. That said I rarely use the suit anymore as I have moved to Drysuit, that’s really the move now. Can always dress up or down on the undergarments based on water temps.

 

[elvenhome21]

Here's my take as I'm going thru the weight loss right now. Down 100lbs in about 9 months (zepbound well worth it if insurance pays for it). Do not buy a drysuit until you have leveled out.i made the assumption when I had lost 60lbs and most of my blubber was gone to order drysuit then so I would have perfect room for thick artic thermals. Yeah that didn't work out, I could wear 2 400g thermals and still have room.
My wetsuit that was a bear to get on is now hilarious loose so water flushing and bunching.
Given that you are in cold country you really dont get the luxury of going cheap suit or poor fitting or you'll freeze your tail off.
Id say the best option for being the most flexible in weight is a used drysuit that fits now. It will still fit as you get smaller. You can add thermal to compensate for extra room. It will be way more forgiving then wet. Just need to handle the air pocket differently

 

[DrakeTheDiver]

Id say the best option for being the most flexible in weight is a used drysuit that fits now. It will still fit as you get smaller. You can add thermal to compensate for extra room. It will be way more forgiving then wet. Just need to handle the air pocket differently

I would not recommend trying to buy a used drysuit. Maybe just my situation, but there’s no definitive test you can do out of the water to make sure it’s not gonna leaks or screw you. I bought a suit and it felt good, fit good. Was only like 3-4 years old, first time I dove it, zipper was leaking, also found a few holes. Ended up at DUI and they basically said it would be $1,000 to get it dive-able, and they said I’d probably have it back in the shop every 6 months with new holes from material wear. Just a warning.