Swimming - some questions

[smurfgirl]

I am off work sick and feeling v.depressed being stuck at home so I thought I would start going swimming.

I have never really been swimming as an adult aside from messing around on holiday so some questions.

• what to wear? I have tankinis I wear on holidays, will they be ok?
• i am v.fat and my legs have awful scars, how to deal with awful dash from changing room to poolside??
• i am very slow but an ok swimmer where do i swim? lanes seem very scary
• what should i aim to do in terms of lengths? whats good for a beginner?
• can i wash my hair etc at the pool?

I know I am over thinking this but am v.nervous esp about scars on legs.

what to wear? I have tankinis I wear on holidays, will they be ok?
Sounds fine....just avoid the skimpy bikini's...bikini's are not for local pools IMO

• i am v.fat and my legs have awful scars, how to deal with awful dash from changing room to poolside??

TBH I never notice the condition of other peoples bodies. Too busy swimming. Can you take your towel along the poolside if it makes you feel better?

• i am very slow but an ok swimmer where do i swim? lanes seem very scary

Either go to a session without lanes and find a clear spot on your own; or just use the slow lane. You will probably find you are not the slowest.

• what should i aim to do in terms of lengths? whats good for a beginner?

Do whatever you can manage. You don't even need to count. When I first start up I tend to swim in batches of 4 lengths and then rest. I think I probably started at as little as 16 lengths. Then added 4 lengths each week and extend to 6 lengths between rests. The first session is a killer but after that it does get easier and easier.

• can i wash my hair etc at the pool?

Of course all swimming pools have showers whcih you aer supposed to use before you go into teh pool. You can use these to shampoo. Most alo have shower cubicals too - I recommend taking shower gel as awell as shampoo - that way you can get teh chlorine off without having to have a shower when you get home too.

I know I am over thinking this but am v.nervous esp about scars on legs.
Honestly people won't notice and won't care. Be brave. You will feel better for it.

Thanks. I know its very silly to worry so much.

I don't suppose anyone knows how busy pools usually are in the middle of the day on a weekday?

I was planning on going in a general public session but it says there are 2 lanes as well.

In that case you are probably better in teh area which had no lanes....but just go and see...you can always move if you feel too slow/fast where you are.

When I take my DTDs for a swimming lesson starting at 4:00 teh 3-4pm session normally has about 6 people in. But obviously depends where you are.

Honestly - you will be fine. Just remind yourself how gorgeous you looked in your wedding dress

Ok. Am investigating local swimming pools and will brave it on Monday. V.sad but should get me out of the house for an hour or so!

Good luck, i'm sure you'll enjoy it. I recently started swimming again and i'm loving it. Cant add more than DNATBUP has said other than have fun.
You could always have a word with the staff at the pool to find out when the least busy times are, just explain that you're a beginner and would prefer to go when its quieter so you can build your confidence up.

i'd second phoning the pool and asking about quiet times. our local pools often have school sessions, lessons or aquarobics which means the swimming area/lanes is more cramped than usual so worth avoiding these times too.

if you're feeling nervous maybe a women-only session would make you feel more comfortable? our local pool has twice weekly sessions where all the blinds are pulled down so no spectators and all the staff on duty are female. i don't know whether you get these sessions everywhere as we have a significant muslim population who attend these sessions but worth asking.

i find the pool is a great leveller and most people are much more concerned about their own bodily hangups to be worried about yours!

i also don't bother to count lengths, more i think about my technique, breathing etc. poor technique makes everything much harder i find, and when you settle into a good rhythm with your breathing etc. it becomes a pleasure to just drift along effortlessly

ah i love swimming great plan - let us know how you get on.

hi smurfy - congrats on wedding btw

swimming is a gretf form of exercise

tankinis are fine, sorry to hear that you have scars (hugs)but i can assure you that no one will be looking at you,they will be more concerned about how they look xx

wera a towel round you and then leave on bench near where you get in

most pools have lanes for swimmers and have fast and slow ones

do whatever you can do, any exercise is better than none xx

yes you can wash your hair and shower at pool

have fun, relax and enjoy xx

Our gym/pool is generally quietest in the 1-3pm slots (and busiest monday mornings)

I wear a tankini and its fine (I also have a huge scar but no one looks at me I just get on with it)

If its easier, go along wearing your cossie under your clothes that way you can nip into the changing room really quickly before you panic and change your mind ! (but remember to pack your underwear!)

Definately ask about quiet times, my local pool has adults only times, it's quiet during school hours anyway.

Nobody will give your appearance a second glance, everyone is there to swim .

Good luck, I've just taken swimming up again and it's great!.

Agree with the others, worth calling and asking about quite times and women only sessions or even basic aqua aerobics.

If it makes you feel more confident you could get a smart Speedo swimming cossie, they are often designed to be quite flattering and not too revealing.
You could try Vit E cream on Bio oil on your scars, both good at fading scars, but I am sure no one will notice.

I find swimming is good for my mood and helps keep winter blues at bay (when I get time to go)...

I thought I would update the thread.

I went today and it was really good actually. I manage 30 lengths which I thought was pretty reasonable given how unfit I am!

The pool was really quiet, there was a lane but most of the people in the pool were adults going up and down so I just did my lengths in the main bit of the pool.

I feel really good for going and am planning on going back tomorrow. It was £3 but you can join for £20 a month so I will see how often I go this month and then make a decision.

glad you went

well done for braving it honey xx

I went again today and managed 32 lengths, it was a nicer pool i went to today so will def go back. I feel good about doing something positive for myself and have never really exercised regularly as an adult so would like to keep this up.

Glad you enjoyed it!

well done for having the courage to go.
next time will be easier now you know what to expect

Went again today and am going back next week, really enjoying it. It felt like hard work today and I was totally puffed after 4 lengths of front crawl (usually do breaststroke) but managed 34 lengths so pleased.

good for you smurf! i've recently started again after 7 months of not being able to swim due to surgery, and it is such a tonic. I started doing 30 lengths and am up to 50 now, which is brilliant. i also treated myself to some new goggles which has really made an improvement to my swimming - no more straining my neck to keep the chlorine out of my eyes!