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Original poster

Will anyone think I’m a twat?!

108 replies

TheChosenTwo · 17/09/2023 20:07

For going swimming and only doing 15 lengths 🫣😂
I’m not a good swimmer, actually rather terrible, but I really got quite into it on my holidays. I don’t have much stamina and my form is poor.
Dh suggested I just go and do 15 lengths a few times a week and try and build up from there.
In theory it’s a good idea, I have the time and wfh 4 days a week so could aim to do it twice.
But would anyone else swimming be laughing at my pathetic efforts?! Tbh I doubt it as I usually use the gym and take no notice of anyone else but I think it’s because I only plan on being there such a short amount of time, I think I’d feel a bit stupid… 🫠

OP posts:
Original poster
TheChosenTwo · 18/09/2023 06:47

Although I did leave the house in ds (11)’s flip flops 😂

OP posts:
sadaboutmycat · 18/09/2023 07:20

No one will notice or care.
People are way less interested in us than media would have us believe!

ManyATrueWord · 18/09/2023 07:20

The good thing about fitness as an adult is that everyone knows that everyone has to start somewhere and there's an awareness that your way is not necessarily the right way for me. It's only the way we used to put children into an homogeneous group at school and expect everyone to meet a arbitrary standard that gives the idea of being good enough.

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General sports
Strugglingtodomybest · 18/09/2023 07:27

Well done OP!

If it makes you feel any better, when I first started swimming in lanes for fitness, one of the other regulars ended up giving me swimming lessons, that's how bad I was!

shearwater · 18/09/2023 07:31

God no, no-one will notice.

When I notice anyone else in the gym doing anything, except actually being a twat, I feel supportive towards them and just think they are doing something positive.

TheRealProfessorYaffle · 18/09/2023 07:33

I do just three or four lengths after a gym session (don't worry, shower in between) because I'm a pretty poor swimmer and want to slowly improve. I'm puggled after a couple of lengths so I'm just tacking it on to something else. No one in the pool knows I've been to the gym, and I haven't ever noticed any odd looks. Good luck x

Original poster
TheChosenTwo · 18/09/2023 07:34

Oh @Strugglingtodomybest that has made me chuckle! I think we are at a similar starting standard though 😂
did you take them up on the offer?

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TheRealProfessorYaffle · 18/09/2023 07:35

Equally, I tripped in the gym on the box jump last week and flew over it like a giant salmon. Everyone stopped what they were doing to look at the massive smack noise, but literally 60 seconds later were absorbed in whatever they'd been doing.

BuddhaAtSea · 18/09/2023 07:36

Kudos to you!
I promise you, no one gives a damn how many lengths you do or how slow you are. We all start somewhere.
Now you’re set for the day!

Original poster
TheChosenTwo · 18/09/2023 07:37

Lots of very wise, encouraging and supporting posts on this thread, thanks so much.
My heart did sink when I saw those people
in the pool this morning (must get up earlier!) but I didn’t cop out of it and I’m really happy with myself - my bum is aching already, I’ll be having a walk during my lunch break today for sure!

OP posts:
Original poster
TheChosenTwo · 18/09/2023 07:39

@TheRealProfessorYaffle 🫣😂
ouch! Hope you were okay!
I once flew off the back of the treadmill in my garage, knees and weirdly one ankle were grazed and cut to fuck, the only saving grace was that I was in there on my own!
thanks @BuddhaAtSea - I do feel set. I usually go for a walk between 8-9 before starting work so it’s nice to be done even before 7. Feel quite smug about it really 😂

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MinnieMountain · 18/09/2023 07:42

Well done OP!
The only people I notice at the pool are those who don’t wait for me when I have caught them up at the end of a lane.

Original poster
TheChosenTwo · 18/09/2023 07:52

I don’t really know what that means @MinnieMountain - I hope I didn’t piss anyone off inadvertently!
There were 3 lanes, fast (occupied), medium (empty) and slow (occupied) and there was one person swimming in the bit that was just for general swimming. I swam in the same bit but it was as wide as maybe 2.5 lanes so plenty of room and he was doing 2 lengths to every one of mine.

OP posts:
Strugglingtodomybest · 18/09/2023 07:53

TheChosenTwo · 18/09/2023 07:34

Oh @Strugglingtodomybest that has made me chuckle! I think we are at a similar starting standard though 😂
did you take them up on the offer?

I did! It was a long time ago now though and I'm a much better swimmer now, I normally swim 1km in a session these days.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 18/09/2023 07:54

Nobody else will be counting your lengths.

But you should know if I did count them I would be impressed by 15 lengths, and I'm sure there's plenty like me!

Pleaseme · 18/09/2023 08:02

Oh no one cares. I often just do a few lengths before a gym workout as it is good for spine. Unless you’re drowning I wouldn’t notice you tbh.

SallyWD · 18/09/2023 08:05

Of course not!! They won't even notice! I'm a weak swimmer. Fifteen lengths is all I can manage and I need to stop and catch my breath after each length. However, I feel great after doing it so just go for it.

olderbutwiser · 18/09/2023 08:08

What I do notice is the pool equivalent of Middle Lane Hoggers. People who don't leave space for others to overtake, people who stand in a group in the shallow end chatting, people who splash in to you doing backstroke, people who swim two abreast. As long as you are a considerate swimmer I don't care how fast or how far you swim.

ActDottie · 18/09/2023 08:22

No one will notice, I’ve recently started swimming as pregnant and people stay for different amounts of time. Some people do 20 mins and go others stay for the full hour. Doesn’t really matter at all.

FinallyHere · 18/09/2023 08:29

But would anyone else swimming be laughing at my pathetic efforts

Why would you care what anyone like that thought? Why would you allow their stupid approach to control what you do?

I can't imagine anyone having an opinion on what someone else was doing in the pool. How would they know ? Surely everyone is mostly focused on themselves and barely notices anyone else?

Have a think about why you imagine anyone might notice so much about you. It's very likely a hang over from someone in your past, being unkind or at lest unhelpful. Possibly thinking it was for 'your own good' or a misguided attempt to motivate you to better things.

Your life will be so much better if you can get that sort of voice back out of your head.

Enjoy your swimming.

Original poster
TheChosenTwo · 18/09/2023 09:05

@FinallyHere it’s a really interesting question and I can track it back to something, I recognise it and am aware of it but essentially it means I hate feeling like anyone’s looking at me. Ever!
I wish I could be invisible and that no one could see me. I’m cripplingly self conscious and while I realise that in reality no one is remotely interested in what I’m doing, I feel very visible. I wear dark colours all the time and prefer my hair to cover my face (I sound like such a fucking weirdo but actually you probably wouldn’t notice anything unusual about me in real life because I don’t really walk about like cousin Itt much as I’d like to😂)
I’ve worked really hard on forcing myself out of my comfort zone in various situations over the years, but new things can really challenge me. So I’m so proud of myself this morning because even though when I saw other people in the pool and I really wanted to turn around and flee to the safety of my car, I didn’t.

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BuddhaAtSea · 18/09/2023 10:21

The other thing I do, and I wish more women do it, is go for a swim last thing on Sunday (at my pool the last session is at 4.30 on a Sunday) and then go to the steam room/sauna/jacuzzi. It really resets me for the week ahead. For some reason, at my pool it’s mostly men then, and it does feel a bit intimidating. I go anyway 😂😂

FinallyHere · 18/09/2023 10:37

@TheChosenTwo oh, brilliant, well done you

really wanted to turn around and flee to the safety of my car, I didn’t.

I'm really proud of you, too. feeling like that and then doing it anyway, is just brilliant. In that moment, your mind is changing, and creating new neural pathways to represent that experience. Over time, while you continue, the new paths will become the accustomed ones and the old pathway of feeling crippled with self consciousness will fade.

This is a really strong incentive to continue: if you are ever tempted to give up, or skip it even once, remind yourself that you are laying down new neural pathways of how you want your life to be. Enjoy :-)

35965a · 18/09/2023 10:42

Well done OP. Now you’ve got the first swim out of the way next time you’ll feel more relaxed about it.

Original poster
TheChosenTwo · 18/09/2023 14:38

Thanks @FinallyHere that’s such solid advice. Our brains are so powerful and although it’s not a big deal for some it was for me and I’ve had such a big smile on my face all day. Dh had made me my favourite breakfast too for when I got home which was so lovely!

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