New board member, here

[Torchwatch]

Welcome to the board.
Congratulations on deciding to get fit.
You'll find the water will support your body, allow you to exercise and have that certain sensuality as you glide through it.
A problem many new swimmers have is to get their faces in the water, if you don't have them then get some swimming goggles that fit and are leak resistant and comfortable. get used to kicking off the side and just gliding underwater before doing a few strokes.
To start with concentrate on building up distance rather then going fast, slowly plodding up and down the pool will improve your cardiovascular fitness and give you time to work on your style. Then you will notice you are keeping up with and overtaking other swimmers.
There is only one thing worse than feeling that everyone is watching you and that is feeling no one is watching you. As you get used to swimming and people seeing you in the water you will lose your self consciousness and will know when to swim without the rash-guard and maybe one day move to something briefer than jammers.