I'm a former competitive swimmer and swam (30 years ago) on a team with Olympic medalists (I was not in that league, not at all, but I did work out with them) and I ate whatever I wanted whenever I wanted - but I can't say I went as far as the Michael Phelps diet! It was a shock to return to reality when I stopped swimming and I immediately began my 25 year weight gain process, I think because my eating habits were so out of line with a regular life's requirements!

Well, all in the past. I can say swimming and water aerobics were instrumental in my weight loss - at first that was really all I could do and as time has passed, I've added to the routine with cardio and weights, and I also now run, but swimming is what I always come back to. The key is as you get stronger is to create workouts for yourself, rather than just swimming laps at the same speed each time, and maybe to set some goals to work toward - do a certain distance, a certain time, etc. As you become a better swimmer you do have to keep upping the intensity, introducing interval training, maybe. But it's a great exercise for the whole body and very easy on joints, etc. so just for that it's worth it.

I think it's like anything else - it is easy to become complacent and in a routine, and stop pushing yourself.

I also agree that when finishing any kind of water workout to give yourself time to cool down. It is easy to get fooled by the coolness of the water and to think a cooldown would not be necessary, but you need to get your body back to equilibrium just like running, etc.

Thanks so much everyone! I'm planning to go swim tonight when hubby gets home to watch the kids! Watch out Phelps! ;) LOL!

I was a competitive swimmer for 13 years (age 6-18) and trained with people who qualified for the Olympic trials. We swam 6 days a week, 5 of those days were double practices (one AM and one PM) and a long Saturday practice. I have to say I ate whatever I wanted whenever I wanted to but it set me up for a very large surprise when I stopped swimming in college and kept eating like that. I gained 30 pounds in one summer. Then the rest crept on.

If you can up your calories but with good foods you will do fine. Swimming makes you hungry as all get out, but if you have something healthy waiting for you it won't be a big deal. Getting a large pizza for yourself like Phelps does at night, well yeah...we don't burn as many calories as he does. But if you can add in extra small meals or snacks you should do just fine. And there is no way it doesn't help you lose weight. It works every muscle on your body.

In my opinion, go for it, at least you'll be moving and it's better than doing nothing. Just eat "in control" and healthy... Have fun :swim:

swimming is fabulous.. i have always used my parents pool in summer(winter here atm) and only last week started at a public pool . i find if i get out the pool and grab a cuppa .. Im good .. :) i eat my biggest meal at lunch time every day anyway and swim on thursday mornings.(planned now). while my duaghter is at kindy.. I grabbed a cuppa on the way out .. got my daughter came home and we made lunch.. its was perfect..
i reserve 600ish calories for my lunch most days .. so its works very well indeed

Great Question!
 

I love this question because I've always wondered about it myself. When I was a skinny kid, you couldn't get me out of the water! I did notice I was really hungry after swimming all afternoon. I say do what you like. Do you enjoy swimming? If you don't, it may not do you any good. I recently completed a sprint triathlon and am at the back of the pack when it comes to swimming but I enjoy it and try to get it in a couple of times a week but I mainly bike and jog (I wouldn't call it running although I'd like to). Swimming sometimes isn't convenient (which is my problem) so you have to figure that in also. I say go for it if you enjoy it and keep up the weight training because swimming is not a weight bearing exercise. Good luck, hope your foot gets better soon and let us know how you do!

it better be good for you it's the only exercise i'm allowed to do. I have to be non-impact on my ankle for life.... ugh.

actually if you continue to control what you eat it should be great.