Swimming and weight loss

[MuckyAnthea]

Hi everyone
I have recently taken up swimming along side going to the gym. I swim a mile each time, doing 10 lengths of breast stroke, 6 lengths back crawl and 4 lengths holding a float while kicking my legs. I then repeat the 10 breast stroke/back crawl/kicking workout until I reach 70 laps. I go the gym and alternate with swimming four times a week [ie this week I swam Monday & Tuesday, went to the Gym on Weds, and today swam.]

My question is, is swimming a good way to lose weight? I have read so much contraditatory advice on the internet that I am unsure. I know how many calories I burn off at the gym, but with swimming I don't know whether I am burning off enough fat to lose weight.

Any one else out there swim alot? fancy trading tips and advice?

Any help much appreciated : )

Hi muckyanthea ,
wouldn't mind knowing a bit more about this too. I swim a few times a week, although wouldn't be putting in as much distance as you - normally do about 40 lengths alternate between frontcrawl and breaststroke. I always thought that front crawl was the best cal burner but checked it out and it's breaststroke.

I find as well that gym sessions probably burn the weight a bit quicker but swimming good for toning. I tend sometimes to not push myself in the pool in the way i would be upping the speed at intervals on a treadmill session. Also if someone is sharing a lane with you at pool then you can get slowed down.

My other problem is that, like a lot of people, I'm always really hungry after a swim!

Don't know if this is even more info to confuse you but found this link
this

Thanks for the link loopity, will check it out!
The swimming has defo toned my arms and legs, but losing weight on the scales is a no go area, not one kilo lost. And also, like you, I am starving after swimming!!! kind of defeats the object really, but it does not feel so bad eating when you know you have just done some exercise : )

MuckyAnthea (Hi), it might be that you're building muscle, which weighs more than fat, but takes up less room, iyswim. So you can be getting slimmer, but not actually losing any weight. And the other thing is that doing any sort of exercise will give your metabolism a boost, and it will keep working harder over a longer period, not just while you're exercising. So it's all good (says JackieNo, who never manages to get round to doing any exercise).

Thanks JackieNo it makes sense to me now. It can get you down when you don't see the scales move, but I keep telling myself its about getting fit and changing your life, not the weight loss in particular. So while I'm thinking that way, I think I'll just crack open a bottle of red, well its good for you isn't it lol!!

Absolutely! Also maybe take some measurements (hip, waist, legs etc) and keep track of those as well as weight. And enjoy the red wine - very good for your heart, I gather.

Will do JackieNo, thanks alot for your response

Mmmmm, red wine - think that's prob where I go wrong too!

BTW, another thought. Although I've always loved swimmimg and would regularly go to the pool and do lengths, my swimstroke technique was never really brilliant, ie i'd never been a competitive swimmer more for fun, exercise. I went to a swimming stroke clinic at my gym and was taught proper breathing, arm/kicking positions, could really feel a difference in how I was using muscles and to general fitness level.