To feel pathetic about swimming?

[jprx59]

I'm not even an anxious person so I don't know why I'm feeling overwhelmed. I didn't sleep well last night but I don't think it's that.

I need to lose weight, I'm 5'2 11 stone 11 and I have PCOS and I'm actively TTC so I need to lose weight. I love swimming but I'm not really into fitness so I don't go often to our local pools.

Anyway, I booked it last week, I ordered a new swimming costume online and prescription goggles (one of my excuses was I can't see without glasses and can't find my way to the pool etc).

I told myself I would go swimming, I will get in that pool and I will feel better. I walked in the leisure centre this morning, greeted with a million rules to follow. No butterfly, swimming caps must be worn, if I need to stop for a break I need to pull over to not obstruct other swimmers. I'm not a strong swimmer and I'm unfit so I definitely will need to pull over.

How do I get over the lanes? Do I swim? Do I walk into one thats free? What if I upset someone somehow.

I got in the changing rooms, burst into tears and got back in the car. Now I'm crying my eyes out and feel utterly pathetic. I miss going to places without a million rules to follow, without everything feeling completely alien and robotic.

So after all that, I didn't even step foot in the pool

I swim every day. In my pool there are people of all abilities, ages and sizes. Usually it is quite clear from looking at the lanes which ones are for the fastest swimmers. It doesn’t sound like there are that many rules. You don’t sound like you are likely to do butterflies anyway and just wear a hat. If you need a break would you not just normally stand to the size? Honestly I would just go back today. No one notice other people unless you start singing loudly.

I love to swim and was going daily before coronavirus, but I haven’t been back yet because the rules are a bit overwhelming. Our pool has a real mix of people, and I often end up switching lanes a lot or worrying I’m going too fast or too slow, so now that’s not allowed, it’s much harder to navigate.

Don’t beat yourself up. If swimming isn’t an option right now; what else could you do? I’m doing workouts at home, some of my friends have taken up C25k, they’ll be something that suits you too until the pool is a bit easier.

You are not pathetic. I am a good ish swimmer and have not been back yet. I am looking to go back when DD goes back to school on sep. it is making me anxious. but like op says. .No one does butterfly, wearing am hat is not so bad. are lanes split into slow medium fast? just get in the slow lane. you can do it.....do you have anyone who can go with you for the first time?

Getting back into things is so hard isn't it. I've restarted swimming and find it confusing but after a couple of visits it's now second nature. I look at how fast people are swimming then choose a lane I think I will match, I use the steps to get into the pool and duck under the ropes to reach the lane. Try again when you are ready and enjoy the lovely feeling of water.

It sounds like you found the whole process stressful and perhaps it was the straw that broke the camels back.

Swim England have had to issue lots of rules just so pools can open - Dd swims almost daily precovid and it is a bit of a pain.

Break the rules down they should be online and some won't apply to you.
No butterfly - as a novice swimmer it's unlikely you'll be doing it anyway.
Wearing a swim hat - normal practise in most countries for both hygiene and safety as you are easier to see. Can you put one on? Look at youtube videos and practise at home.
Not sure which lane to go in? Ask a lifeguard which is the slow lane, they are normally divided into speeds.
If you need a rest then pull over as you normally would do but try and do it at the end of a lane. If your not sure you can make it, perhaps but some training aids, a float and pull buoy are useful and not too expensive. Then you can work separately on arms or legs instead of both together.
At Dds swim club they aren't allowed to overtake but have to switch positions at the end of a lane if someone is faster so you can do that if you are slower than others as I suspect the rule will apply too.

If there are no steps or a ladder by the lane you want, you're allowed to cross the lanes, walking or swimming.

First off be proud of yourself for taking the first step.

Can you ask leisure centre if they have times that are us usually quieter?

It's absolutely fine to do gentle breastroke in the slow lane and when you get to end - face end whilst those behind pass and carry on.

Don't worry about others as you have as much right to be there and everyone has just got to accept things are different and they may also have to adjust what they do.

My ds is a competitive swimmer and they've just returned to some training. I'm the Covid liaison (yes they must have 1 poolside to oversee the rules are being adhered to whilst coach's coach!).

These are kids use to swimming 10 hours a week and they took time to adjust.

Please don't give up OP! You have done so well to get organised so far. I was swimming regularly before lockdown and now also feel a bit apprehensive about how it will be. But I have booked to go back for the first time when I get back from holiday.

Can you email the sports centre to ask more about the lane systems etc in advance? Often, just going once is enough to feel a lot better about how it all works.

Don't worry about holding up other people - if people are slower than me, I don't find it annoying unless they refuse to let me pass at the end of the length, or if they deliberately push off on a new length in front of me as I am approaching a turn. If they are slow but considerate of others, it is a non-issue. Obviously I'm sure you will choose the lane most appropriate for your speed.

There are some people who do act irritated if there is someone slower than them, even if the slower swimmer is considerate. Usually men in my experience . Practice thinking "I have as much right to be here as you" and complain to staff if someone is harrassing you.

Swimmimg is for all abilities. If it is more difficult to fit everyone in at the mo, we all have to accept that, and not get irrationally irritated with other swimmers.

There mostly is a slow lane at one of the pool sides, a fast lane at the other side and normal/fastish in the lanes in between. It won't be called slow lane but the people in it swim slow. Because it's at a side it's easier to stop and rest when necessary. You can ask the pool attendent if you're not sure. Just start in the slow lane snd when you get stronger/more confident you can always go up a lane for a bit. It's also pretty normal to rest a couple of times while swimming. All conpletely normal.

Don't feel anxious, it's pretty normal to get all sorts of people in a pool. It's the most recommended exercise for people who have joint problems, knee surgery, missing limbs, overweight et cetera. You're not going to stand out.

I love swimming but can òften find the humidity, echo and claustrophobia of the changing rooms to be overwhelming.

The "slow" lane is normally pretty relaxed. A lot of older people use it to meet and socialise and do lots of resting between lengths.

I fall uncomfortably between medium and fast and do shuffle between the two relative to who else is in the pool. Breast stoke women, and my front crawl is fair competition... front crawl men and it's relegation for me It's also awkward if a lane is congested, but it's also a bit of a jump to the next lane.

You've gone. You've tried. You've learned. When you go back, you're a bit more clued up about the set-up.

My usual pool where the DCs normally have lessons has helpfully done a video tour of the changing areas for familiarising as it would otherwise be disorientating.

Good on you for what you achieved, ridding yourself of reasons not to go swimming! It was all just a bit much to take in, this first time, but now you know what to expect the next time.

HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime has some really great advice up there, which I think would definitely help you.

Do you have a friend who might be keen to go with you? That could help.

OP I guarantee you won't be the only swimmer feeling anxious about all the new rules. I did a cross Channel swim in 2017, so I'm pretty competent as swimming goes, I've not got in the pool yet, so the fact you got as far as the changing rooms, means you've done better than me.

I was chatting to one of the lifeguards a couple of days ago who I bumped into when I was going to a spin class. I spent many hours swimming up and down when I was training for my Channel crossing so I know them well. I said I missed swimming but was a bit worried about the protocol, he said everyone is a bit unsure and asking lots of questions - even my spin instructor was asked how the pool works by someone in this morning's class, so you are not alone.

Wearing a hat, you can manage. In terms of picking a lane, when you get poolside, just watch for a minute and gauge which is the slowest lane. Walk to it from the side, slide in when there is nobody coming up for a turn. There is absolutely no problem taking a rest at the end of a lap, just stand to one side (against the lane divider) and be mindful of people wanting to turn. When you're swimming, swim at your own pace, don't feel rushed by people coming up behind you. As a PP said, I only get annoyed with slower swimmers if they are very obviously in the wrong lane, or don't let me go past when we reach the end of a lap.

At the peak of my training I'd be doing 3 hour sessions, 3 times a week, so came across all sorts. I'd far rather be in a lane with a slower, considerate swimmer, who is aware of me and allows me to go ahead of them, than a faster, inconsiderate swimmer who is completely oblivious to me being in the lane with them.

You sound like a kind, considerate person, so I think you'll be absolutely fine!

Ask for a few private lessons. They may be more expensive but So much swimming is based on confidence in yourself and the pool organization. Private would let you ask all the questions rather than being literally thrown in at the deep end.

I went the other way! I’ve lost weight but not gained muscle in the last two years and it was a choice between swimming or cycling. I started my first swimming lessons (group) in 40 years last September with the Ladies of a Certain Age beginners’ group. Lots of support and encouragement and I went from “head out of the water breast stroke” to ploughing through the water and even diving from the side!
Then Covid struck and they closed the pool until July and gave us a refund as then it was children’s summer courses.
I’ve decided to spend my refund on private lessons, to really concentrate on my failings, coordinating my breathing and diving confidence.

Very impressed Edwin!

Sorry, sent too soon.
Once you get your confidence up, I’m sure you won’t regret it.
And lucky you with prescription goggles! They’re my next investment.

Just treat your first visit as a 'recce' to see what's what. I hate situations where I don't know what to expect, so forewarned is forearmed, as they say! Now you know a little bit more about the set-up, you could prepare a list of questions, if any, and ask a staff member when you next go along. You're not pathetic at all, you're just doing your advance preparation! Good luck for next time.

Well done for getting this far OP.

I don't know if it is the same at your pool, but at mine you have a slot of 1 hour. The pool is often quite busy in the first half of that slot, but actually the second half of the slot is very quiet much of the time, as most people find 30-40 minutes quite enough swimming! So actually if you are thinking about doing 20 minutes to start and building up then it is totally fine to take your time at getting in the pool :)

Thanks for cheering me up, I've read all your messages after I stopped crying and they made me well up again!

DP has booked me on to a relaxation swim rather than swim for fitness at our local pool. At least that way I know the layout, know where the steps are in the pool and it's one less thing to worry about. He surprised me with a swimming cap, bless him

Thank you for your lovely, lovely messages

Thanks for posting, OP. I want to try swimming for fitness too and have found this thread really useful to read advice for newbies! The pool near me opens from the 24th and you have to book online. I'm going to do it. In the meantime, I'm going to find my copy of Fat Boy Swim for more inspiration!

Ahh. what a lovely DP. mine would never think of anything like that. enjoy your relaxed swim