swimming for fitness

I can't do tumble turns! I tried (at school) and ended up with a nose full of water and not facing the right way! One of the people I've got to know at the pool has been working on his over the last few weeks and seems to have got pretty good at it. My excuse is that I do a length of crawl then a length of backstroke so I don't need to do a tumble turn anyway.

Yesterday I managed 1650m (a mile-ish) in 33m10s. Very happy with that.

No tumble turns from me. Wouldn't know where to start!

Sounds like you're making great progress face
I too have noticed how much stronger I feel.

In the gym I notice if people are grunting or generally making a meal over everything (smashing weights down). Don't care what they look like, though I will notice great technique or elegance (in the pool or the treadmill).

Some serious distances being bandied about here, fair play! Are all you guys doing tumble turns? I've not even broached these!

Progress is still improving here too, it's great! Doing similar distances as before (1600-1800) but finding it so much more manageable, so much so that i'm thinking the rest periods are borderline too long. I'm not going to get cocky yet though, I'll fit in an extra session this weekend to try just cover distance and see how I get on.

I can personally say I take no notice of what people look like in the pool, the gym etc. People come in all shapes and sizes and tbh I'm more concerned if they're friendly or have a smile on their face and chat etc...!

Username did you go last night? If so how was it?

Hissy I've never worn a wetsuit so no help here, I'm afraid. Well done to be considering the Henley 1 Mile. I'm very impressed (with that and your epic weekend training).

Eighty I've not swum for a continuous hour before …

eighty I've said that too in the past, after I got cramped out of the pool having only done 450m, I reminded myself that 450m in the pool is better than sitting my behind on. A sofa.

It absolutely doesn't matter what you look like, besides, keeping swimming and your body gets better and you feel better.

That's a great achievement eighty some good numbers there! Nice one...

1K done. Tired legs after a 10 mile (running) race yesterday. Good to stretch it all out.

Very likely! I don't know when to shut up

Sounds awesome! BTW I think I have spotted you on the FB group [Grin]

To be fair... Workshop was from 8.45 to 17.30

4 hours total in the pool in 2 sessions

It was absolutely amazing...

But yes, I'm feeling it today.

I was yawning at supper!

3225! Blimey. I can only dream! I need a target to aim for. I'll never get there if I shirk going like I did today. Think IAm going to look for a class.

No knowledge of wetsuits sorry. Family do iron man/triathlon but they are all incredibly skinny.

Oh and goes without saying...

WHO'S IN?

🤣🏊🏻‍♀️🏊🏻‍♀️🏊🏻‍♀️🏊🏻‍♀️🥂

Feeling a bit knackered..

That TI course was out-blooming-standing...

The organiser emailed us with links etc and a swim distance calculation

3225m!

No wonder I can hardly move my arms!!

In other news... looks like I'll be doing The Henley Mile in July....

Where does one find a wet suit for an ample arse... looks like they are all made for skinnier people than I!

Does anyone know what kind of 'give' these things have?

I haven't done life drawing classes, but what you say brought to mind when we were at the beach in Spain. Most of the women were topless and it was so refreshing. Sure, there were the "perfect" bodies, but most were just women of all ages and sizes just getting on with their time on the beach.

I'm also a size 18/20 and it really doesn't matter. No one looks.

I did life drawing classes for a few years and it taught me that the human body is a wonderful thing. We had male and female models of all shapes and sizes. It taught me to worry much less about my own shape. How you feel is much more important than how you look.

Maxandruby that sounds perfect! Just keep an eye on your rests and push off JUST before you're fully recovered... it helps get the stamina up and encourages you to link up and swim longer

Would a fabric hat help? My DD uses one sometimes as she has lots of hair. Obviously the hat/hair gets wet but it keeps all the hair out the way but not sure how it protects from chlorine as our pool is non-chlorine

Hissy thanks. I swam for 10 lengths (20m pool) then rested then repeated. Does this sound ok to start?

Has anyone tried weights and/or Pilates to help?

Myusername. I'm a good 4 stone overweight at the moment please don't be put off by wobbling a bit. Once you're in no one can see and no one seems to notice/care anyway

You're right Avocado andrightsofwomen

I have thought a lot about how when I went swimming and was thin I never took any note of what ANYONE looked like when they walked in. I think I'm going to have to think about that a lot. lljkk I used to do the same thing as regards I'd notice tattoos, I guess because some looked like they weren't totally in a costume but wearing clothing too at a glance.

And Hissy you're right I shouldn't let anything stand in the way of getting fitter and healthier.

I've been looking and I want to go sometime early or late when only dedicayed swimmers are likely to be going and during the times when its lane swimming only. I think I'll be going Tuesday night at 9... infact yes, hold me to that.

I feel at times once I go I'll feel fine and wonder why I've not gone in a year, but at the same time I'm scared once I'm in I won't want to get out haha

Thanks everyone for your comments. They have helped.

Total Immersion course today was amazing! It's taught me so much about my stroke and pace. It's going to be interesting seeing where it takes me next

There are rumours that I'll be swimming the Henley Mile in July...

Maxandruby welcome, and well done on the 1k, did you rest between lengths, or was itbtap and go?

All you need to do is more of what you did, but working on perhaps doing 2 lengths of each stroke and then 3

Username- I'm overweight too.

Getting better, but still.

give most swimmers a run for their money, although I'm not the fastest.

(Did a smart Speed Workshop today, so hoping that will change soon enough)

There are lots of shapes and sizes and it genuinely doesn't matter the size you are if you are making the effort and swimming in the best lane for you.

I'd suggest you take a course of lessons and promise yourself to commit to the whole course before you see if you want to stop.

Get into the habit, even if it's once a week, it will make a difference to your fitness and you will get better

I've gone from a size 20 to 18, and that's loose.. not lost a pound in weight, as have added muscle and I've never had such amazing arms. My legs are pretty good too, if I say so myself

Don't let anything get in the way of you feeling better about yourself.

I buy XL caps & have a small selection now (sad, I know).

1 km when "not very fit" is excellent!

@MyUsernameIsInvalid. Most the people in the pool are fat. You'll fit right in?

I am joking... I'm being serious. Most people are overweight. It's pretty unremarkable. The only body things that I see & dwell upon are pornographic tattoos (wistful wish for brain bleach).

I nickname the people I share lanes with. I was sharing a lane with a plump chap today. I could nickname him fat-guy or "slow breaststroke guy" but those aren't unique. I decided he's "nice guy" coz he let me pass several times (very considerate).

username honestly the people I notice at all are 1) people I know ie no awkwardness 2) people who are overly ostentatious with their manner or pool etiquette or 3) people who attract more attention by being obviously uncomfortable e.g. by arriving pool side with towel wrapped round them, cautiously looking around etc.

That's not many people really, most just want to have a swim and get on with it.

Can you make a deal with us lot to go once next week and see how it goes?

MyUserName you can do it! Please get out there and swim and don't worry about what people think. I barely notice the other swimmers, no matter what shape, and I'm sure nobody else does too. We are all there wanting to get some exercise and there is a respect for each other. You'll feel so proud of yourself and feel better about yourself as you achieve each length. It may be a bit hard going at first but it will get easier and you'll feel a real sense of achievement. Keep us posted here on your progress. We are a friendly bunch with lots of encouragement to offer. Go for it!