Highly considering swimming, just looking for tips and help

About a year ago, and a year before i was lifting weights, relatively heavy, and about a year ago from this time now, i had to stop because i was getting joint pain and tendinitis. Haven't lifted really since. Still get minor joint pain and tendinitis from occasion. I was highly considering swimming. Then if i got good at it, join a team. Right now, i just turned 18, and i work odd jobs (not a steady income), and the only place for me to swim at, would be a YMCA-28 bucks a month. So right now i'm trying to find a job that'll cover it and still be able to keep myself up. If i start swimming, i will not be doing resistance training. Is it still possible to build a small amount of muscle? I promise i'm not asking to be bodybuilder looking or anything. Just asking if swimming can over time get me a somewhat decent physique for vacation and summer times. As far as now, I really would like to swim, because it's easier for joints, supposed to increase flexibilty (I think?), and i'm hoping its something I can do til i get way on up in my years that will keep me healthy. Also looking for some motivation. I've never been very self confident, and when i start doubting myself, i lose interest and motivation, so just looking for motivation as well. Thank you for reading and your time! I joined up with my YMCA just for some added swimming options in case I miss a masters practice, or just want a little extra. There are plenty of regular swimmers of all abilities that swim at the YMCAs. They may or may not be the competitive type, but they are definitely there for the fitness. I've made quite a few friends there, and people know who I am when I come out on deck too. (I'm in a smaller community too). You may be able to get on the same schedule as another swimmer there and be able to keep a schedule with them to swim together. Doing something with a "buddy" always makes it easier to keep going. And as far as swimming, it will build muscle and keeping you in good physique too! Depending on what your skill level is now, just start out easy, set a goal and keep going. Even if you're in "good shape", start out easy. Even the best swimmers who've been out of the water for any amount of time can tell you the same thing. :) 30 minutes to an hour of time is plenty of time as well. Unless you're training for competition, this is all you will need. Try to start out with 2-3 times a week, alternating days. Try different things at each workout as well. It's boring to just get in and do the same thing over and over day to day. And most of all, have fun.

Welcome Josh! Become part of the swimming community locally (near where you live) & globally (online and when you travel) Join a team & train regularly, give it a go for several months. you wrote: Also looking for some motivation. I've never been very self confident, and when i start doubting myself, i lose interest and motivation, so just looking for motivation as well. here's some thoughts Motivation comes from within Motivate yourself. Decide what you want Decide who you want to be Come up with a plan and DO IT Commit Act As if You already are what you most want to be. Change your script and internal dialog. Write down the kind of person you'd like to be: your list of "I am's ..." Create the intention of becoming that person. Turn your doubts inside out, tell the doubter in you to "Shut the ?%#@ up" Confidence comes from: thinking confident thoughts. telling yourself "I am confident" acting as if you are confident person speaking as if you are a confident person believing in yourself, your ability and your dreams having supporters and supportees, having belief, believing, and believers, reading inspiring quotes books and stories listening to inspiring music watching inspiring videos (youtubes) and movies associating with positive inspiring people going from woe is me to WOW is me Being humble not cocky, but fierce and determined on the inside Intensely desiring your goals and work HARD and smart dealing with doubt when it rears it's ugly head Doubt will come and when it does, escort it to the door like a bouncer and boot it out note your state when doubt arrives, maybe you're sick or tired or stressed or having an awful day Some swimmers have told me there's a lot of useful and inspiring info in Swim Faster Faster Maybe you'll find some too. Begin When things go wrong as they sometimes will; When the road you're trudging seems all uphill; When the funds are low, and the debts are high And you want to smile, but have to sigh; When care is pressing you down a bit- Rest if you must, but do not quit. Success is failure turned inside out; The silver tint of the clouds of doubt; And you can never tell how close you are It may be near when it seems so far; So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit- It's when things go wrong that you must not quit. "Don't Quit,” Author Unknown The thing that happens is: Determine who you want to be and start acting that way. Then later, people observe you and some begin to reaffirming your own belief. By saying "You are . . ." This list of beliefs is our self image somewhere along the way you've had doubts and you told yourself or heard someone say you're not a confident person. Unfortunately it snuck in and stuck, but why let other people and your life experience so far define who you are and who you are going to be. Only you can change you. Will you? Ande one of my favorite quotes is “When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds: Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great, and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and your discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be.” Patanjali

I would recommend that you join a Masters team. At least try it out. We allow people to swim for free for two full weeks to determine if it really works for them. Often people will tell me that they will get in shape on their own at the Y and then join our team. I think that this is a mistake. It is a lot easier and more fun to swim in a group with organized workouts. A good coach will help you so that you train with a more efficient stroke and learn to swim relaxed. Probably 5 of the people swimming on our team I taught how to swim. See if the local Masters team will let you try it out before joining. Also we try to make it affordable for everyone, so sometimes we give discounts to those who could use a little help with the dues. We have also had other swimmers on our team help sponsor/subside another swimmer's dues. Good luck with the swimming - I know that a good Masters team will make it a lot of fun and keep you coming back for more workouts! A really great Masters team will have you hooked for life!

Just another idea for you, if you lifeguard at the YMCA part-time, many places will give you free membership. You'll get some extra coin coming in, and free pool time. During the school year especially, many ymca's are looking for guards all day, so you might be able to pick up a more regular more-than-part-time gig that way too. As for motviating you, you don't need any extra motivation, you already WANT to swim, or you wouldn't be here asking ;) Go do it.

A good coach will work with you given whatever physical conditions you may have. Remember many Masters swimmers have lots of aliments from overuse or just aging. I have had one swimmer who would sometimes get a tingling sensation if she worked out too hard. She has not had the problem lately. I would do a Google search to see if swimming is recommended or mentioned by anyone with these conditions. I know that swimming in general loosens people's joints and muscles. I really can't say whether it would help but I would give it a try. If you can't get to a Masters team, see if the YMCA would be interested in supporting one. It can't hurt to ask and maybe they will. The reason I got into coaching was to help develop a team so that I would have one to swim on. I originally came from California where there are lots of great Masters swimming teams and coaches.

I joined up with my YMCA just for some added swimming options in case I miss a masters practice, or just want a little extra. There are plenty of regular swimmers of all abilities that swim at the YMCAs. They may or may not be the competitive type, but they are definitely there for the fitness. I've made quite a few friends there, and people know who I am when I come out on deck too. (I'm in a smaller community too). You may be able to get on the same schedule as another swimmer there and be able to keep a schedule with them to swim together. Doing something with a "buddy" always makes it easier to keep going. And as far as swimming, it will build muscle and keeping you in good physique too! Depending on what your skill level is now, just start out easy, set a goal and keep going. Even if you're in "good shape", start out easy. Even the best swimmers who've been out of the water for any amount of time can tell you the same thing. :) 30 minutes to an hour of time is plenty of time as well. Unless you're training for competition, this is all you will need. Try to start out with 2-3 times a week, alternating days. Try different things at each workout as well. It's boring to just get in and do the same thing over and over day to day. And most of all, have fun. Bro you are awesome! Thank you so much! I really kinda got introduced to swimming by a really sweet girl who swims for my old high school. And she loves it. I hope i can meet new friends through swimming, because in the small community i'm in, i don't go along with what most kids do, (drinking, drugs, pot, tobbacco, etc.), and i'm not a redneck either, so I guess i'm considered 'not in the in crowd'. I'm very very eager to try this out. And by you confirming i will build gives me all the more reason to want to try it out. Many people have told me swimming wont give me a thing really, and I can't for the life of me understand why. So many people give me answers like if i do swim, i wont really get anything except in my arms. But I believe i'll listen to you since you're an experienced swimmer. :) Thanks again!!

Just another idea for you, if you lifeguard at the YMCA part-time, many places will give you free membership. You'll get some extra coin coming in, and free pool time. During the school year especially, many ymca's are looking for guards all day, so you might be able to pick up a more regular more-than-part-time gig that way too. As for motviating you, you don't need any extra motivation, you already WANT to swim, or you wouldn't be here asking ;) Go do it. Well, I don't really know the styles of swim (just sloppy freestyle i'd do in a backyard pool), and I kinda know CPR, but I'm not an expert. Would they still let me be one? If so, do I need to be a member with them, or can i apply online for it? or like where should i start? haha. I'm 18, homeschooled, and supposed to be graduating in the next couple months. So I very well may could do the all day some days.

Welcome Josh! Become part of the swimming community locally (near where you live) & globally (online and when you travel) Join a team & train regularly, give it a go for several months. you wrote: here's some thoughts Motivation comes from within Motivate yourself. Decide what you want Decide who you want to be Come up with a plan and DO IT Commit Act As if You already are what you most want to be. Change your script and internal dialog. Write down the kind of person you'd like to be: your list of "I am's ..." Create the intention of becoming that person. Turn your doubts inside out, tell the doubter in you to "Shut the ?%#@ up" Confidence comes from: thinking confident thoughts. telling yourself "I am confident" acting as if you are confident person speaking as if you are a confident person believing in yourself, your ability and your dreams having supporters and supportees, having belief, believing, and believers, reading inspiring quotes books and stories listening to inspiring music watching inspiring videos (youtubes) and movies associating with positive inspiring people going from woe is me to WOW is me Being humble not cocky, but fierce and determined on the inside Intensely desiring your goals and work HARD and smart dealing with doubt when it rears it's ugly head Doubt will come and when it does, escort it to the door like a bouncer and boot it out note your state when doubt arrives, maybe you're sick or tired or stressed or having an awful day Some swimmers have told me there's a lot of useful and inspiring info in Swim Faster Faster Maybe you'll find some too. Begin The thing that happens is: Determine who you want to be and start acting that way. Then later, people observe you and some begin to reaffirming your own belief. By saying "You are . . ." This list of beliefs is our self image somewhere along the way you've had doubts and you told yourself or heard someone say you're not a confident person. Unfortunately it snuck in and stuck, but why let other people and your life experience so far define who you are and who you are going to be. Only you can change you. Will you? Ande one of my favorite quotes is Thank you for these words friend! This is definitely something I will come back to read for motivation. The person i want to be, is fit, healthy, someone that does some form of fitness for the next 40 years of my life if not more (pretty sure swimming is also the answer there), a person that has a fit physique, someone that can be an inspiration and a leader (I've never been one before, mainly just been someone that's in the middle, I've never really lead but i haven't always followed either). I wanted to go more positive with myself.

I would recommend that you join a Masters team. At least try it out. We allow people to swim for free for two full weeks to determine if it really works for them. Often people will tell me that they will get in shape on their own at the Y and then join our team. I think that this is a mistake. It is a lot easier and more fun to swim in a group with organized workouts. A good coach will help you so that you train with a more efficient stroke and learn to swim relaxed. Probably 5 of the people swimming on our team I taught how to swim. See if the local Masters team will let you try it out before joining. Also we try to make it affordable for everyone, so sometimes we give discounts to those who could use a little help with the dues. We have also had other swimmers on our team help sponsor/subside another swimmer's dues. Good luck with the swimming - I know that a good Masters team will make it a lot of fun and keep you coming back for more workouts! A really great Masters team will have you hooked for life! This sounds like a great program! I'm not sure there are any masters in good distance from me, i live in between taylorsville and conover, NC, and i believe the only masters around here is in Durham. I could be wrong, but that's what I think. And that's an hour + drive for me. As far as the coaching goes, will they take it easy on me if i explain my joints and easilly getting tendinitis? At least kinda build me up so i'm able to come back instead of having to stop? I really like this program. If they could help me financially, because i still have to do college (planning on community) and that itself will have its fees. Another thing about my local community college is that it offers free membership to my local Y as long as I'm a student. Just out of curiousity, but have you ever had any swimmers have nerve problems. Like fibromyalgia or nerve entrapments or anything? I know swimming helps joints and helps so much with tendons and such, just curious if it helped nerves also? :) Thank you for your time friend!

Well, I don't really know the styles of swim (just sloppy freestyle i'd do in a backyard pool), and I kinda know CPR, but I'm not an expert. Would they still let me be one? If so, do I need to be a member with them, or can i apply online for it? or like where should i start? haha. I'm 18, homeschooled, and supposed to be graduating in the next couple months. So I very well may could do the all day some days. Lifeguards don't really need to know the styles of swim so much as being a strong swimmer and know all the things a lifeguard needs to know about saving lives. Not sure if the Y requires you already be certified lifeguard or if they will train you. That may be different depending on the Y. You'll for sure need CPR cert with red cross. I'd find it hard to believe that wouldn't be required before starting the training also. Check with them. Go express your interest and see what needs to be done. Learning all the swim styles will come once you start training. That's really above and beyond the lifeguarding part. I just suggested guarding as a way to get a free membership as well as a steady job :) Good luck to you.