In an effort to start my swimsuit shopping, I have been looking at the options I have online first – at least that way I can narrow down what I like and don’t like. The stores with the best selections of nice swimwear available in larger sizes like 1x, 2x, 3x and 18, 20 and 22 are: Swimsuitsforall.com, Alwaysforme.com, ModCloth which has great retro styles, and Silhouettes.com.

Some of the styles that are popular this year include:

Buy Now Women's Plus Size Swimwear - Coco Reef Waters Edge Adjustable Lingerie Underwire Swimdress - Style #2513 - Sizes 16W - 24W- Cup Sizes C, D, DD - JUST ARRIVED Store: AlwaysForMe.com   Buy Now Women's Plus Size Swimwear - Coco Reef Waterloo Lily Lingerie Underwire Tankini Top - Style #3212 - Sizes 16W - 24W - Cup Size D, DD - JUST ARRIVED Store: AlwaysForMe.com   Buy Now Women's Plus Size Swimwear - Always For Me Cup Size Picasso 2 Pc Skirtini - Style #11413 - Sizes 16W - 26W - Cup D, E, F - JUST ARRIVED Store: AlwaysForMe.com   Buy Now Women's Plus Size Swimwear - Always For Me Cup Size Melos Convertible Strap Halter Underwire swimsuit -Style #83312 - Sizes 16W-22W - JUST ARRIVED Store: AlwaysForMe.com   Buy Now Women's Plus Size Swimwear - Always For Me Cup Size Skiros Shirred V Neck Halter Underwire Swimsuit 1 Pc Style #83511 - Sizes 16W - 24W Store: AlwaysForMe.com   Buy Now Women's Plus Size Swimwear - Always For Me Cup Size Santorini V-Neck Halter Underwire Swimsuit Style #83512 - Sizes 16W-24W Store: AlwaysForMe.com   Buy Now Women's Plus Size Swimwear - Always For Me Cup Size Crete Convertible Strap Underwire 1 Pc swimsuit #83311 - Sizes 16W-22W Store: AlwaysForMe.com   Buy Now Beach Blanket Bingo One Piece in Red - Plus-Size Store: ModCloth.com   Buy Now Bathing Beauty One Piece in Emerald - Plus-Size Store: ModCloth.com   Buy Now Bathing Beauty One Piece in Red - Plus-Size Store: ModCloth.com   Buy Now Bathing Beauty One Piece in Wine - Plus-Size Store: ModCloth.com   Buy Now Beach Blanket Bingo One Piece - Plus-Size Store: ModCloth.com   Buy Now Longitude Swimwear - 9004-96750 Plus Size (Black/Gold) - Apparel Store: 6pm   Buy Now Longitude Swimwear - 9004-91211 Plus Size (Black/White) - Apparel Store: 6pm   Buy Now Longitude Swimwear - 9004-92012 Plus Size (Black) - Apparel Store: 6pm   Buy Now Jessica London Plus Size Swimwear, Convertible One-Piece Swimsuit Store: Avenue   Buy Now Jessica London Plus Size Swimwear, One-piece swimsuit Store: Avenue   Buy Now Women's Plus Size Swimwear - Hilo Halter Swimdress - Style #IO4519-08X - Size 16W-26W - JUST ARRIVED Store: www. alwaysforme.com

I love the Nike Sweetheart line of swimsuits and tankinis. They have a very figure flattering empire waist and ruching on the front. The tankini has sport shorts for the bottoms which make it perfect for active days at the beach, workouts and relaxing at the pool.

The suits are fully lined and come in black, navy, neptune blue and purple wine and are available in womens’ sizes 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20.  I have found the Nike Sweetheart line at at Zappos (love them because they offer free shipping on purchases and returns) and its sister company 6pm.com. Click on the images below for more product details and ordering information.

Nike - Extended Size Shape Long Bra (Black/Black/Cool Grey) - Apparel Nike Extend Legend Regular Fit Capri Pants - Women's Plus Sizes Nike Extend Regular Poly Pants - Women's Nike Element Extended 1/2 Zip - Womens - Black/Reflective Silver Nike - Extended Size Border Tennis Shirt (Black/White/White) - Apparel Nike - Extended Dri-FIT Slim Fit Tee (Dark Grey Heather/Black) - Apparel Nike - Extended Size Border Tennis Shirt (Turquoise Blue/Tide Pool Blue/Tide Pool Blue) - Apparel Nike - Extended Sizing Tempo Track Short (Black/Black/White/(White)) - Apparel Nike - Extended Size Border Tennis Skort (White/Black/Black) - Apparel Nike - Extended Size Filament Capri (Black/Black/MatteSilver) - Apparel Nike - Extended Size Border Tank (White/Black/Black) - Apparel Nike - Extended Size Soft Hand Jacquard Half-Zip (Black/Reflective Silver) - Apparel Nike - Extended Sizing Tempo Track Short (Bold Berry/Vivid Grape/Imperial Purple/Matte Silver) - Apparel Nike - Extended Size Border Tank (Black/White/White) - Apparel Nike - Extend Size S/S Legend Tee (Black/White) - Apparel Nike - Soft Hand Half-Zip Top (Extended Sizing) (CurrentBlue/Heather/TidePoolBlue/ReflectiveSilv er) - Apparel Nike - 7 Mesh Short (Extended Sizing) (Pure Purple/Gym Green/Gym Green) - Apparel Nike - 7 Mesh Short (Extended Sizing) (Black/White/(White)) - Apparel Nike - Soft Hand Half-Zip Top (Extended Sizing) (Black/Black/(Reflective Silver)) - Apparel

The Always for Me Sport plus size swimwear pieces are available in sizes 0X, 1x, 2x, 3x and 4x. Click on the images below to get ordering information and to see all the pieces in the collection.

Plus Size Swimwear - Always For Me Sport Princess Seam Racer Back Top - Style #1604077 - Sizes 0X-4X Plus Size Swimwear - Always For Me Sport Palm Beach Princess Seam Racer Back Top - Style #1604138 - SIZE 0X-4X - SPECIAL PROMO Women's Plus Size Swimwear - Always For Me Sport Water Garden Princess Seam Racer Back Top - Style #1604056 - Sizes- JUST ARRIVED Women's Plus Size Swimwear - Always For Me Sport Tiki Princess Seam Racer Back Top - Style #1604150 - Sizes 0X-4X - JUST ARRIVED Women's Plus Size Swimwear - Always For Me Sport Fiji Dress w/ Piping - Style #6057X - Sizes 2X-3X ONLY - ONLY 12 PCS LEFT Women's Plus Size Swimwear - Always For Me Sport Onionskin Bell Sleeve Tunic- Sizes 1X-3X - Style# 130X - JUST ARRIVED Plus Size Swimwear - Always For Me Sport Light Support Brief - Style #S9907 - Available in Royal, Black and Turq-Size 0X-4X - JUST ARRIVED JUST ARRIVED - Women's Plus Size Swimwear - Always For Me Sport Swim Shorts with Gusset - Style #1627 - SIZES 0X-4X 50% OFF - Women's Plus Size Cover Ups - Always For Me Sport Dress w/ Gold Circle Accents on Straps - Style #415 - Sizes 1X-3X - NO RETURNS

If you want to add some variety and challenge to your swim workout I recommend adding laps using just your legs by using a kickboard or challenge your arms by keeping a Pull Buoy between your legs to eliminate the kick. Alternate laps of freestyle and breaststroke with laps of kick only and pull only. Do some of your laps as sprints and some in longer groups for more aerobic benefit.

Speedo is my favorite brand for basic workout suits and I am really impressed with the variety of styles they now carry in plus sizes. Below are some of my favorite athletic swimsuits that are available in plus sizes (16W, 18W, 20W, 22W, and 24W). Click on image for sizing and ordering information.

Speedo Side Shirred Tank Plus Size - Speedo Endurance+ Piped Ultraback Plus Size Ultraback Plus Size Moderate Solid Ultraback Plus Size-Conservative Vanquisher Ultraback Endurance+ Plus Size Speedo - Piped Empire Plus Size Suit (Black) - Apparel Plus Size Swimwear - Always For Me Sport Princess Seam Racer Back Top - Style #1604077 - Sizes 0X-4X - JUST ARRIVED Women's Plus Size Swimwear - Always For Me Sport Color Block Crew Neck Princess Seam Racer Back Top - Style #1605 - Sizes 0X-4X - JUST ARRIVED Women's Plus Size Swimwear - Always For Me Sport Color Block V Neck Princess Seam Racer Back Top - Style #1607 - Sizes 0X-4X - JUST ARRIVED Women's Plus Size Activewear - Always For Me Eco-Friendly Active Racer Back Tank - Style #AV026X - Sizes XL-3X - JUST ARRIVED Women's Plus Size Swimwear - Crew Neck Princess Seam Racer Back Top Style #1604078 - JUST ARRIVED Women's Plus Size Swimwear - Always For Me Sport V Neck Princess Seam Racer Back Top - Style #1607077 - Sizes 0X-4X - JUST ARRIVED Women's Plus Size Swimwear - Always For Me Sport Camo Crew Neck Princess Seam Racer Back Top - Style #1604242 - Sizes 0X-4X - JUST ARRIVED Women's Plus Size Swimwear - Speedo Endurance Ultraback 1 Pc Style #7230801W - Sizes 16-24 Plus Size Swimwear - Speedo Moderate Ultraback Swimsuit - Style #7230790W - Sizes 16-24 Women's Plus Size Swimwear - Speedo Conservative Ultraback Style #7230788W - Sizes 16-24 Speedo Piped Ultraback Plus Size Speedo Moderate Ultraback Plus Size - Speedo Endurance+ Speedo Moderate Ultraback Plus Size - Speedo Endurance+ Speedo - Endurance+ Side Shirred Contourback Plus Size (Black) - Apparel Speedo Moderate Ultraback Plus Size - Speedo Endurance+