To start swimming?

[Giesabozie]

I weigh about 23 stone, possibly a bit less . I’m on the highest dose of mirtazapine and beta blockers . Im a big comfort/boredom eater and have had periods of bingeing as well . I eat too many takeaways too .

I’m struggling a lot with my mental health and I’m not leaving the house much at all now so I’m not exercising . I’m permanently out of breath and exhausted and noticing I’m wheezing in my sleep .

GP and MH team are saying it’s non negotiable coming down on tablets just now, or switching.

A friend has suggested we go swimming together once a week, every week, to see if that helps . I’m keen to give it a try but I’m embarrassed of my size and worried if I try I’ll injure myself .

I’m not allowed to do HIIT, aerobics etc sue to family history of heart disease but I think gentle swimming or even just being in the water night help? Anything to get my body moving a bit more would be good . I’m only late twenties, I don’t want to die young of something that would ultimately be my own fault .

Do it. If it makes you feel more comfortable, go at a quiet time of day (I find pre 9am and post 5pm busier but maybe ask the pool?). Once you're in the water you're the same as everyone else, not that anyone will be paying any attention to you anyway, they'll be concentrating on their own swim

Go and give it a try, maybe ask your friend to go a couple of times first to suss out when the pool is at its quietest if you feel self conscious.

Swimming is the best exercise for avoiding injuries! I've been recommended to swim in both pregnancies as it's extremely low impact, there's no pressure on joints, and you can go as fast or slow as you like. Definitely give it a go! Once you're in the water, no one will even notice your size!

I’m a size 22 and really enjoying swimming! Nobody can see my body, and I take a towelling robe to cover up with between the changing rooms and pool.

Go for it!!!!

Of course you should go. It's wonderfully supportive. Every positive step you can take will be worth it.

I'm a big girl, similar weight as you. I recently started swimming and to be honest I was terrified of the looks I'd get or comments made but I realised that's actually MY inner demons. Sure folk might look, but you are making an effort.10, 20, 30 mins in the pool, even 5 minutes is better than sitting on the sofa or doing nothing. Once you are in that water not one person is looking at you, go at your pace and feel good about what you are doing. Swimming is great exercise,works loads of muscle groups with minimal strain on the joints. My one fear remains, and I doubt it will ever go away, is the fear of my hands slipping when I'm getting out the pool. No way to pull that off gracefully no matter your size!

Yes it’s so good for you. I go three times a week and there’s people of all shapes sizes ages and ability there.
I go at lunch time that’s the quietest time I’ve found.

Do it and combine it with starting yoga or pilates at home (plenty of free stuff on youtube) and start a diet like 5:2 etc where you can "look forward" to the naughty days whilst being stricter with yourself on other days. It works for me because I can't cope knowing I'm on a diet where I'm just never allowed a takeaway so I stay strict for a few days then have what I like on other days. Combined with exercise I am steadily losing weight. Good luck.

Yes do it! Swimming and aqua aerobics is the absolute best exercise for bigger people because the water helps support your weight and you won't realise how much you're burning off. I know it's daunting in that environment, in a swimming costume but try not to worry about what anyone thinks. Just go for yourself.

Honestly, I’d go. I’m obese and I go regularly. It’s low impact so you’re unlikely to injure yourself. I hope you enjoy it

It’s the best thing you can do, I swim whenever I can 40 years a breaststroke swimmer and then I taught myself front crawl. I’m also big and it’s never bothered me. I’ve lost a lot of weight recently and the swimming has really helped. I also swim in lakes and rivers and the positive impact this has on my mental health is incredible.

This lady posts a lot on the outdoor swimming boards on fb . She is an incredible inspiration.

www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2021-12-30/its-changed-my-life-county-durham-mum-loses-20-stone-sea-swimming

Go for it OP , I'm about 17st dress size 20 and I swim every morning before work. I've done it for so long I don't even think about holding my stomach in on the walk to the pool anymore. Your body is yours and when you get in the water I think you'll love it. I do. It's so good for stretching
. Also the more you do it the more confident you will be. Mornings are good as it's quiet and everyone is just doing their thing

Swimming is a great exercise for avoiding injuries, OP. In fact, both after my DD broke two vertebrae in her spine and after operations on her feet, swimming was the thing that was recommended for recovery. Being in water is also very therapeutic in itself. It really helps you relax mentally and destress. Take up your friend's offer!

Get yourself a pair of sliders as well it will make you feel safer walking pool side where it’s slippy rather than walking barefoot

There's water aerobics at my local pool and loads larger ladies go to it. I'd definitely go for it.

Do it! I do aqua aerobics and there are all sizes in the pool there. I also swim as well. No one ever looks at anyone as far as I've seen.

I'd definitely recommend aqua aerobics. You can choose how much effort you put in, and no one can see if you go wrong under the water (which I do, frequently!)

Does your local centre have a Gp referral scheme?

Ours does for aqua aerobics. It's gentle resistance exercise and designed for people like you you need to improve their health gently.

Also have you thought about a soup maker? It's been a godsend for me. I make lovely soups and they are really hot so take ages to eat and very filling. I use the ready cooked chicken breast strips and sweet potato and whatever veg I fancy. My favourite is carrot and red/yellow and orange peppers.

I think the biggest motivator is wanting to do it - which you do.

So good luck

100% do. Lots of larger people use the pool for swimming and exercising. Early afternoon is the quietest time at my pool. Walking in the water is good exercise and check with your GP but aqua classes are brilliant. I promise you it’s not all svelte women, just lots of people having fun.

Swim in great, actually unlike being out and about at the shops or wherever people will see less of your body shape when you are in the water.

Yep. Fantastic idea. Swimming is great. Walking is water might be good too. Water creates more resistance than walking on land but less strain on your joints.
People who see you might think ´oh, Swimming is probably great exercise for Giesabozie, since it’s not hard on the joints. I should swim more myself’.

Do it! No-one will notice you.

Swimming is fantastic and take a look and see if your local pools do any aqua classes, like aqua aerobics or jogging. You don't have to go full pelt they usually have a range of mainly women from young to old and everyone just cracks on at their own pace.

Thanks so much

I couldn’t get my breath in bed last night, had to sit up - which has scared me enough to think I need to do something .

I’ve lost weight a few times before - lost four stone during lockdown, but then piled it all back on . Every time life gets difficult again I just start eating .

I’ll ask GP about a referral, I know all the stuff about healthy eating but I never seem to bother properly .

Will definitely give it a shot, could go in one afternoon this week and see how I feel .

Re outdoor - I used to love swimming in the sea when I was younger, a bit more wary now but my aunt regularly swims in lochs and says it’s brilliant . Maybe worth trying as the weather warms up !

Definitely do it. Focus on the feel of the water, streamlined, meditative swimming, don't worry about speed or technique to start. If you can work up to swimming with your head in the water it's great for the lungs too (to do with the underwater exhale and resistance of the water), so good for the breathlessness, but that will probably need to wait until your breathing is improved.

Then take it outdoors once your breathing improves as the cold water will exacerbate this. Your name suggests you're in Scotland, DM me if you want suggestions for where to go (or join a group, loads on Facebook via Outdoor Swimming Society local groups).

Totally go for it, and the outdoor swimming community is massively supportive, I know ladies of all sizes who swim all year round. Kathleen is someone who has spoken a lot about how much swimming has helped her physically and mentally