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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To always feel way more ravenous after swimming than after any other exercise?

44 replies

OrlandoTheCat · 16/03/2017 17:46

Just that.

Annoying really as swimming is my favourite exercise but I always seem to undo all the good by downing a hearty meal after....

OP posts:
Dozer · 16/03/2017 17:47

I am the same, only after swimming!

Amibeingtoosensitive · 16/03/2017 17:48

Do you drink water whilst swimming? As you would do if running.....

daffodildandeliondaisy · 16/03/2017 17:48

Yes, lol. Think it's the cold water!

PaulaBBB · 16/03/2017 17:50

Yep, it's because you get so cold :)

Schwifty · 16/03/2017 17:51

And if I swallow any pool water it gives me massive burps about an hour after = more space for food! (Pleasant)

minipie · 16/03/2017 17:55

Yep it's because you are burning calories keeping yourself warm as well as doing exercise. So eat away!

Cellardoor23 · 16/03/2017 18:43

I'm the same. I usually feel exhausted as well, even after a very moderate swim. This was like me the other week. I took my DC with me so I wasn't really doing much. I think I did a couple of lengths max while my OH looked after him. I think part of it must be the heat as well. As I find even though the pool can be cold, I'm sweating in the changing room.

Rainbunny · 16/03/2017 18:51

I read that because you swim in water which is a cold environment it increases your appetite as your body sees food as a way to warm up again afterwards whilst land based activities warm us up which suppresses our appetites.

noeffingidea · 16/03/2017 18:57

It doesn't increase my appetite. I can swim for about 90 minutes non stop on an empty stomach and then have a normal size breakfast. Today I swam for an hour then had a slice of cheese on toast when I got home and felt fine.
I never feel cold swimming either, in fact I hate it when the water is too warm because I feel too sweaty.

QueenofLouisiana · 16/03/2017 19:03

A hour of swimming can burn 450 calories, even just at a light pace. Vigorous swimming burns over 700! Which may explain the hunger.

Also you need to drink while swimming, as you will sweat and dehydrate. That will make you feel hungry too.

Best thing is either a carb snack within 20 mins of getting out the pool or a drink of chocolate milk.

CombineBananaFister · 16/03/2017 19:06

YANBU, me too! only after swimming - could eat a scabby donkey Grin

paperandpaint · 16/03/2017 19:18

I eat more after 15 minutes bobbing about in the water than after running a half marathon! I lost loads of weight running as I was never hungry after a run. Swimming though - disaster and way harder than running!

lljkk · 16/03/2017 19:27

hmm... swimming (2km) doesn't make me that hungry at all.
Getting old, I suppose.

yumscrumfatbum · 16/03/2017 19:32

As a child we always had a cone of chips after a Saturday morning swim. I always thought it was that association that made me hungry after swimming!

Original poster
OrlandoTheCat · 16/03/2017 19:59

I'm with noeffingidea on hating the water being too hot.

I only really enjoy swimming in outdoor lidos now. Not saying I am hardy and swim in unheated outdoor lidos. Heated ones in winter. I like to take a lungful of fresh air when I turn to breathe.

I dearly wish I could not go and crave my own body weight in food after..

OP posts:
IamFriedSpam · 16/03/2017 20:03

YES! If I don't eat straight away after swimming I get massively hangry and just can't be around anyone. I thought it might be that you lose so much heat in the pool that it affects your blood sugar?

NotCarylChurchill · 16/03/2017 20:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Firesuit · 16/03/2017 20:08

I went on a five-day swimming camp when I was a skinny 16-year-old boy. By the end I had lost over 10 pounds, despite eating a loaf or two of bread and butter over and above my ordinary meals, every single day. The fact that I was spending a few hours a day in water between 0 and 5 degrees Celsius was probably a bigger factor than the actual exercise. (Seriously, there were mornings when there was a thin layer of ice on the pool.)

FeckinCrutches · 16/03/2017 20:09

Klix hot chocokate
Salt and vinegar chipsticks
Twix

These are the only acceptable foods after swimming.

RortyCrankle · 16/03/2017 20:24

After swimming as a child a bag of chips and a Wagon Wheel were obligatory. That was back in the day when Wagon Wheels were HUGE, not the miniscule little things they are today.

Dozer · 16/03/2017 20:49

Ah post swimming childhood snacks! Always from the vending machine.

Yes yes carolchurchill! That hot chocolate was weird, and there was a funny soup too with bits in. Had forgotten!

RockyBird · 16/03/2017 20:52

I always sleep in the morning after a swim.

BigGreenOlives · 16/03/2017 20:54

Swimming is much harder for beginners, technique makes so much difference.

Acornantics · 16/03/2017 21:00

Fish n chips biscuity-crisp things from a 1980s leisure centre vending machine!

But yes, I want to eat my arm after a good swim, and invariably need a short nap in the hours afterwards.

Cartright · 16/03/2017 21:13

I don't find that particularly with swimming, but I did swim a fair amount as a teenager, and I think that made me fairly efficient - I don't feel I use much energy when I swim.

Hill walking on the other hand makes me absolutely ravenous, and I always think I've done more exercise than I have - when I look at the mileage and indicative calorie burn it's often pretty low.