Yesterday I got it into my head that I should start swimming. Trainer Friend said doing new activities that my body wasn’t used to would help me drop weight the fastest. I took this advice to heart and decided to try swimming because that is one thing that I have not been doing.
After I made this decision I went to the store and bought a pair of swimming goggles so that I would be able to swim, because obviously I can’t swim with contacts and no goggles. Having the goggles just made me feel more like a swimmer… even if it wasn’t true. Besides, the money I spent makes me feel more committed to the idea. If I spend money on something I will force myself to do it at least once, and buying goggles insured I would swim at least once.
As added insurance I told Lifeguard Buddy and Aquatics Dude that I was thinking about starting to swim. Actually I jokingly said, “I need to learn how to swim.” Since Aquatics Dude has known me for a while he knew I could swim so he shot that down, but honestly I do need to learn how to swim properly, or at least more efficiently. I know my strokes aren’t perfect and I could benefit from some training with someone who knows what they are doing. But still, this joke led to conversations where I committed to swimming at work one day. They all say I can and should do it, so I probably will.
But I wanted to start out swimming away from the watchful eye of people I have to see ever day. It is hard enough for me to get into a bathing suit in front of anyone, let alone people that only know me in my work clothes. So today I went to the YMCA closest to my house for a little lap swimming.
I admit: I was intimidated before I even got into the water. I don’t know the etiquette of lap swimming so I wasn’t sure where to go to wait for a lane when I got there and found they were all full. I sat on one side of the pool waiting for a lane and some older men sat on the other side waiting for a lane. I was the second one waiting and got a lane after the first guy.
While I was waiting the old guy swimming in the lane I was sitting in front of stopped and asked if I wanted to share the lane while he finished his last ten minutes. It was nice of him but I had to say no because I am not the best at swimming completely straight and I didn’t want to pop a nice old guy in the face. NOT the way to start out swimming.
The actual swimming part of the experience was pretty awesome. Swimming is hard work but it felt so wonderful and I enjoyed it while I was doing it. The only stroke I am decent at is the backstroke. I am okay with freestyle, but not really sure about the best way to breathe…. I ended up swallowing water a time or two. (If anyone has any expert advice on how to swim correctly, let me have it!)
I lost track of my laps after about 8, but I swam for around 25 minutes. Just keep swimming, just keep swimming! I swam basically until my arms were sore and I was super hungry because it was about an hour past my normal lunch time (boo waiting for lanes). Overall I think the first time swimming was pretty successful. I am probably going to start swimming a few times a week, slowly building up endurance so I can swim longer because I think I would enjoy that. :) Hurray swimming!
hehe just keep swimmming. I remember I used to say that all the time after I saw Finding Nemo. Thanks for your post, swimming is something I’ve wanted to get back into for a long time and I think this is the reminder and push I need. What’s with your pool though? I thought it was normal to share lanes?
I love swimming. It definitely gets muscles that don’t normally get used because after an intense swim, I am sore for days.
Good for you!! I know it must have been difficult doing this in front of co-workers. I joined the “Y” specifically to swim. Yet, I felt intimidated by the bathing suit thing and the lap etiquette thing. Finally, I got it together. In fact the very first day I just marched up to the lifeguard and asked him “Explain all this lap etiquette stuff”. He did. Most of the time, I don’t even use the lap lanes. I just swim in the common area because I am not a super swimmer. I like to take my time and splash to and fro.
This will be such a great workout for you. Great job!!!
Glad your swimming went well. I have been “wanting” for 2 months to add in swimming. I pretty much the same as you, don’t know etiquette or a efficient stroke. I think I’ll give it a shot myself. Hope to hear more about you swimming. Good Luck.
@ Jessica: It is normal to share lanes at our pool, the problem was with me! I was uncomfortable with sharing a lane my first time swimming laps because I wasn’t sure I could swim straight and not hit the nice guy in the face. I actually didn’t swim very straight at first so its good that I chose not to swim with him.
@ Annette: I understand. I am completely sore in a couple places today. I didn’t really expect that!
@ Sheree: Thats awesome. It was a great workout for me, I definitely feel it now.
@ SuperDave: Thanks! You should definitely try swimming even if you don’t know all the proper techniques. Eventually we will both get better and for the time being we will get a good workout!
What a great post! And we sing that phrase quite a bit around my house. I still haven’t given swimming a fair chance in my routine since I’m not the greatest swimmer either. You’ve inspired me!