Hi Everyone! Hope nobody minds me making a new thread.... Anyways, today I went swimming for 2 hours (some actual swimming, some treading water), so I looked up how many calories I burned and I got approx. (for my weight) 953 cals for treading water, or 1429 for "leisure swimming"....for only 90 minutes!!! Is that right?!?! I know it's alot, but over 1000?? (I only wrote in for 90 minutes cause I went into the hot tub for 10, and walking to and from ends of the pool, etc shouldn't count really..so I just took off 30 mins...)
Okay, so besides that I have another question..has anyone lost their weight by swimming, or anything like swimming (water aerobics)? If so how was the weight loss and toning and inch loss from it? Does anything think it would tone me fast? Cause I was thinking of doing a light water aerobics class 3 times a week for a hour each...which I looked it up at approx. 600 cals a class burnt...should I go for it?
Any info/suggestions GREATLY appreciated!
Thanks!!
Melissa
P.S. I think after 3.5 weeks I might've lost some inches...we will see next Tuesday - my weigh-in day!!
Congrats on finding something you love so much ...and has a great reward attach to it...tons of calories burnt.
I've done the water aerobics classes and just LOVED them. I had to quit since the pool was way to far from my house. Now that they built a pool realy close to home, I might just check out if they offer that class.
I know someone whp lost tons of weight and keeps it off with swimming for about 1hr a day (she has indoor pool at work), so you could swim away the pounds.
I was 262lbs when I started and swimming was my main form of exercise for the first few months. I lost 30lbs just swimming and watching what I ate, now I do loads of different exercise, but I still swim at least once a week.
Lots of people don't realise what an efficient calorie burner it is. Aquaerobics is a great addition as well.
You know the actress from the movie Sister Act? I'm talking about the funny nun. I cant think of her name but, she lost a lot of weight form swimming. She looks great! Go for the water areobics I think you'll love it!
I taught aquafitness for a number of years. You really do need to make the effort. I had a lot of women who never progressed but it's because they just floated & moved around some. You really need to be aware of your body. Use the water to your advantage. Remember an open hand pushing against the water is harder than a fast or slicing your hand through the water.
Also, take the cues from the instructor. If she says to focus on your biceps doing the work - think about that muscle. If you don't feel it push harder or faster until you can feel the muscle working.
Deep water is really fantastic for the abs & core - but again you shouldn't just be floating. Use the belt (even though it can be uncomfortable) & focus on keeping your core engaged to keep you in the correct position in the water.
As for length swimming I try to keep it interesting for myself by doing intervals. I often do two lengths of front crawl & then one length of breast stroke. This makes a set of 3 lengths. Then I just count the sets. I find this more doable to keep moving continuously as front crawl is more work than breast stroke. Use the kick board as well to work on your legs.
Good luck in the pool - the water is really a great place to start out - a lot easier on the body. Make sure to get enough water because that is a common mistake with water workouts because you tend to not feel thirsty.
Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions.
Good tip about the water, it took me awhile to realise that! I keep a bottle of water poolside (except on a Sunday when our pool resembles a battlezone ) )
I do the same with swimming lengths. There are some great websites with swimming plans on them, the Zogg fitness one comes to mind, it has levels for beginners up to super advanced.
I vary my swimming workouts, sometimes I do 3 x 4 medleys, so thats 4 lengths breat stroke, 4 lengths front crawl, 4 lengths backstroke and repeat. Sometimes I do quick medleys which is those three but one length of each. I also use a pull buoy, which is an incredibly unlady like device you stick it between your legs and it isolates your arms. My front crawl needed a lot of work, and that has helped. My next purchase will be a kick board.
I find swimming really relaxing, and i have made heaps of friends in the pool. the good thing about being a fat chick in a swimsuit is that your new buddies will be the first to notice every pound you lose. I am now a minor celebrity in my local pool
I've lost 30 lbs swimming laps and doing water aerobics. My body so thoroughly enjoys it; like many of us I was a water baby - my parents report that at 9 months I crawled out into the lake at our summer place, heading for the opposite shore - I don't remember not being able to swim. My arms and shoulders just love the feeling of being powerful, and so good for our lungs.
I have extremely bad knees and the exercise is wonderful. Like others, I can get a little bored swimming laps, so I also do a count routine - mine is 2 laps crawl, then three sets of 1 breast stroke lap/one back stroke lap, then 2 more crawl, then 1 lap side stroke (leisurely, but is really stretches some muscles) repeat 2 or 3 times.
Kick board - I can borrow a kick board, what I'm saving for is a waterproof Ipod!
I've started doing swimming and water aerobics the past couple weeks too, and already I can feel the good it is doing for my body. I can't do deep water stuff since our pool is so shallow... only 4 feet deep at deepest... but I am going to do what I can there through the summer and then this fall start going to a local indoor pool.
Swimming
) )
