Swimming newbie

[Alsonification]

So after much sitting on my bum & eating shite, I've decided to join a local hotel gym that has a pool so I can try swimming. I'm not so much interested in the gym part.

I'm not a good swimmer. Taught myself & get panicky if out of my depth but this pool is the same depth all over.

My question is; what is a good way to start? I'm 49, overweight by about 4 stone and very stiff. I have 2 bulging discs & bad knees so I'm hoping this will be good for my joints & general movement as well as weight loss. I plan to try initially for a half hour swim 3 mornings a week before work. Is that realistic?

Thanks.

My advice would be to get some adult swimming lessons (I would not be regularly swimming now without them, even though I thought I could swim ok before) and also some underwater headphones so you don't get bored!

I think if you aren't a confident swimmer, the best thing to start with is walking in the water since you'll be in your depth. The support and resistance will make it a good workout but easy on your knees and back. Doing heads up breast stroke swimming (sorry if I'm assuming wrong that this is what you would do) will put pressure on your knees and back, so once you've got a few weeks of moving in the water and building your confidence you could try starting to use a float to let you lie flat on the water and getting used to doing crawl legs and having your face in the water and go from there. If there is anyone near you that does adult lessons it makes a world of difference and things change really fast

Another vote to get some lessons as having a decent technique means you can swim further, faster and easier! Maybe try aquafit classes if they have them?

Agree with all of CMOTDibbler's advice. I swim 2 kilometres twice a week, but was at a hotel pool recently with lots of people pool-walking. I joined in, and it was actually excellent low-impact exercise! We'd walk a width forwards, backwards and then crab like sideways. You can use your arms to inceease or decrease resistance.

I was a panicky and anxious swimmer, I just spent a lot of time in the water learning to feel comfortable and with no pressure for a few months and it got better. I think enjoying it and feeling more confident should be your first priority, everything else will come easier after that.
I still do get anxious but go back to just messing around and floating about when needed. Good luck!

Firstly, well done on taking the giant step into the pool.
I used to teach swimming and I would definitely suggest a few 1-2-1 lessons, adults were always so much fun to work with over 5 year olds!
I would also suggest good goggles, possibly some floats to help with confidence and find the quietest time to go. Early mornings are lane munchers like me and it can be a tad intimidating. Our pool does ladies only lane swimming and 4pm on a Saturday is super quiet!
Water walking is excellent, aqua fit is also brilliant. Stay away from the breaststroke with your joint issues, a kick board would help you be confident with straight leg kicking. And don’t be afraid of backstroke, it’s great for anxious swimmers as you don’t have to put your face in the water, pick a line on the ceiling and follow it.
Depending on the pool length, aim for 10 lengths, 2 at a time to start and then just add 2 at a time. 30 mins is a long time in the pool, go slowly and be kind to yourself.

Thanks so much for all the excellent advice.

Unfortunately the only adult lessons are midweek when I'm working so I'm on my own for now.

It's the front crawl I taught myself when I was in my teens & I can do the back stroke too & I did have some lessons in my 20's. I can't seem to master the breathing technique properly so I need to work on that. But I love the walking suggestion. I'll do that initially I think & see how I go.

Thanks again.