Would swimming make a difference?

[LonelyLinda]

Does anybody have any knowledge about swimming for weight loss please?

I have a good stone to lose and desperately need to tone up, and ive been trying to find a low impact fitness activity that would make a difference to my body. I have suddenly thought that perhaps swimming could help if I did it say 5 x a week for approx an hour at a time.

I like to eat because I still cook for my family so do find it hard to resist, also with a young family I do need my energy. I'm just really needing to make a difference with exercise and also being sensible with food but really need something I can do in all weathers that is low impact on my body.

If swimming could do this then i've solved the problem, Im just not sure it will be enough to make a difference iyswim.

[LonelyLinda]

Sorry, also meant to say, breast stroke swimming as I can't do front crawl.

[Orangesarenottheonlyfruit]

I would say that you certainly could doing that much swimming. I swim twice a week as part of other training and as a toning exercise it is pretty brilliant. I only swim for about 30- 45 minutes (front crawl, doing timed laps) and I am totally knackered afterwards and I can feel how it's tightened up my core and shoulders.

The best thing about it is that I sleep like an absolute baby afterwards. The sleep is better than after a long run as my body sort of twitches for ages but after swimming I collapse. It's great!

[LonelyLinda]

Thank you Oranges I'm going to give it a try, I could do with the help sleeping too, so it will benefit me both ways I'm sure.

[VerySmallSqueak]

Yes it will make a big difference,so long as you also 'follow a healthy and varied diet' as they say.

Swimming is one of the best low impact exercises. I would not recommend swimming a huge amount of breaststroke if you have existing knee problems though.

Ideally aim to swim at a pace for about 20-30 minutes where you are slightly out of breath,but could still carry on a conversation.This roughly means that you are working in an aerobic way which is when fat is burned.

I also find walking is a fantastic low impact exercise- and it is all weathers really!

If you want low impact because you have any concerns about your health,then please run all this by your GP first.

If you are doing five days a week - ideally try not to have both rest days together.

Make sure you warm up and cool down.

You should find you can enjoy your food,if eating healthily, AND lose weight.

Good luck!

[Chandon]

I swim 2-3 times a week, not to lose weight but to be able to eat what I want and maintain the same weight.

It is definitely good for you, but the downside is it really makes you feel starving and craving carbs afterwards. ( has to wity the body being cool in the water and wanting to get warmer, I have been told)