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Original poster

Swimming, can I loose weight without changing my diet?

36 replies

Movingforward123 · 17/03/2013 20:31

I need to loose at least a stone. I have a very badly sprained ankle with torn ligaments and I want to exercise to loose weight. I don't feel able to go on a diet right now while I can't walk and im stuck at home.

But I do want to start swimming once I can walk. Just wondering if I could loose weight by swimming around 3 times per week without changing my diet. I do the breast stroke btw. Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
Movingforward123 · 17/03/2013 21:04

Tofool - I was thinking once I am feeling stronger I would start body pump again Grin

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Original poster
Movingforward123 · 17/03/2013 21:03

Bigred - maybe we could keep each other informed on our progress? Although I can't start swimming until I can walk as I'm not allowed crutches by the pool. Hmm

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5madthings · 17/03/2013 21:02

I did. After ds2 I swam for an hour, about 80lengths, doing breast stroke, two or three times a week and lost about a stone and a half :)

Original poster
Movingforward123 · 17/03/2013 21:02

Not now - what vitamins do you recommend? I never take vitamins but think now would be a good time to start.

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Original poster
Movingforward123 · 17/03/2013 21:01

Stargirl / wow well done Grin

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Original poster
Movingforward123 · 17/03/2013 21:00

I'm planning on starting swimming for around 45 mins and building upto an hour!

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aPseudonymToFoolHim · 17/03/2013 20:48

I think if you are exercising frequently you will go one of two ways

  1. To think: I've exercised today so can "reward" myself for being "good"

  2. That the hard work, dedication, cost and effort you are putting in to exercising will automatically mean you are thinking about your health and the food (fuel) you are putting in and will make more informed choices - what's the point of killing yourself at the pool to just undo all your good work by eating too much of the wrong foods?

Swimming will be great whilst you recover, but I would recommend, once you get back on your feet properly, that you do some weight-bearing activity. this tones, burns calories, helps with red blood cell production and helps prevent osteoporosis (brittle bone disease, which women are more susceptible to)
Good luck!

BigRedBox · 17/03/2013 20:36

I think you have to work quite hard at swimming to lose weight. Generally to get benefit from any exercise your heart rate has to be raised for 20 mins. My experience with swimming us that it's really easy to stop at each end for a rest.

However, I think everything helps. I've just started swimming as an exercise and aim to just keep going for 20mins even if I'm going quite slowly.

stargirl1701 · 17/03/2013 20:35

I did. I didn't change any aspect of my diet at all. But...

I swam 50 lengths, in a 25m pool, every day (inc the weekend). After one year I had lost 3 stones. I swam at 6am so I was hungry for breakfast afterwards. I had a banana before swimming and then fruit, porridge and toast afterwards.

It was hard work - especially in the winter Grin

notnowImreading · 17/03/2013 20:35

I don't know, but I would urge you to do whatever you can to boost your immune system when you start - 3 times a week in germ soup is asking for minor ailments and then you will just want to sit on the sofa and eat crisps (speaks the voice of experience). Good luck, though. There's nothing nicer than becoming a strong swimmer. Take vitamins. Dry your hair. Wink

Earlybird · 17/03/2013 20:35

How long do you propose to swim for each time?

What if you ate as normal, but cut out alcohol, rice, potatoes, bread and sweets?