What is the best way to swim for weight loss?

Herb, I have gone through a 43lb weight loss over a very short period of time and have blogged a few times on the method I used to achieve the loss. In my case, swimming was really important but I don't credit it as the method of loosing the weight. For me swimming faster was the driver for the weight loss, but the major method ofmloosingbthe weight was using myfitnesspal religously and controlling my calorie intake. I adhered to a strict but balanced calorie controlled diet, vitamin and mineral supplements and drank a ton of water. Good luck with the goal.

....Also, I just read in my swimmer that Leslie Livingston has given up weights and dryland. Isn't that a complete 180? That's not correct. I merely reduced my weights/gym time from 3 to 2 days per week and added in one more swim. I also use fins/paddles/chutes/bungees in the pool, which is essentially in water strength training. I did gave up bikram yoga; I gave up running and spinning long ago. I don't have Swimmer in front of me. The gist of what I said is that most cross training doesn't make you swim faster and can prevent you from really punching quality pool workouts. Don't worry, no one would call me anything but a jacked sprinter. Sadly, I look nothing like the skinny runner I used to be pre masters swimming. :weightlifter: If you really want to lose weight, run. If you can't run and want to swim, I think high intensity swimming burns more calories overall. Don't do the same workouts at the same speed; vary the intensity so your body doesn't adapt and burn fewer calories.

Long slow swims you will burn more calories during the workout.HIT and you will burn more calories after the workout,probably more overall but YMMV.Do the types of swimming that helps you want to swim more.

That's not correct. I merely reduced my weights/gym time from 3 to 2 days per week and added in one more swim. I also use fins/paddles/chutes/bungees in the pool, which is essentially in water strength training. I did gave up bikram yoga; I gave up running and spinning long ago. I don't have Swimmer in front of me. The gist of what I said is that most cross training doesn't make you swim faster and can prevent you from really punching quality pool workouts. Don't worry, no one would call me anything but a jacked sprinter. Sadly, I look nothing like the skinny runner I used to be pre masters swimming. :weightlifter: If you really want to lose weight, run. If you can't run and want to swim, I think high intensity swimming burns more calories overall. Don't do the same workouts at the same speed; vary the intensity so your body doesn't adapt and burn fewer calories. I can't run with bad legs and I hate it anyway. I enjoy the water. I had always used the competition as the motivation but am looking for a new kind of inspiration. My first workout today was 500 yards in board shorts - no clock, no flip turns, took a couple of rest breaks when I felt like it. And it actually felt pretty good. Tommorow I will go for 750. That is where I am at. My past history shows that if I stick with it I will soon become bored and start doing sets again but I am worried that will make me too frustrated. I was hoping maybe I could justify the slow high yardage angle if the benefits were just as good.

Herb, I have gone through a 43lb weight loss over a very short period of time and have blogged a few times on the method I used to achieve the loss. In my case, swimming was really important but I don't credit it as the method of loosing the weight. For me swimming faster was the driver for the weight loss, but the major method ofmloosingbthe weight was using myfitnesspal religously and controlling my calorie intake. I adhered to a strict but balanced calorie controlled diet, vitamin and mineral supplements and drank a ton of water. Good luck with the goal. Yeah I know swimming is just part of it. I'm guessing 6 Sierra Nevadas don't help my calorie count.

Weight loss is really related to your caloric intake. Swimming helps burn calories, but you can only swim say, an hour or two a day, which gives you 23 hours a day or so to stuff your face. Look at what you're eating and what you can cut out. Alcohol? Dessert? Afternoon candy? While doing this, make sure you eat well around your workouts. Eat before and after, and when it's after eating, make sure you have carbs + protein/fat. The protein/fat will keep you full. Eggs, peanut butter, plain yogurt - all great weight loss foods. Dried fruit, alcohol, desserts, lots of carbs (bagels pasta etc) - not great weight loss foods.

Diet, just remove any rifined sugar. You can continue to enjoy your six pack of SN's, but if you do, just go for a walk after. It's all in the diet. I'm kind of on the other side of the fence, I can't seem to gain weight, I've been stuck at 162 for years and I feel like I have to force food down at times.

Swimming helps burn calories, but you can only swim say, an hour or two a day, which gives you 23 hours a day or so to stuff your face. :rofl: Frankly during my (USA) team's Christmas training, I was putting in super ridiculous (for me) amounts of yardage - we're talking 6-7000 yards a day, up from my usual 4500 or so. I was so exhausted, I didn't have the energy to eat! And I lost about 10lbs. Put it back on of course with egg nog & Valentines Candy!! I really think it's easy to try and justify how much you eat after you have a hard workout - whether a HIT or long distance. I know I do, anyway. My favorite trick: Diet Greek Yogurt (Dannon Light & Fit) - I swim at 5:30 in the morning & have two of them for breakfast. Total of about 160 calories, but 22gms protein. I'm shapin' up. . . . ALSO - I'm mixing it up - started lifting (light) weights again & I try to play tennis at least once a week - if you get tired enough you fall asleep & forget to eat dessert! :D

It's not for everyone, but during my weight loss period I ate glutinous amounts of oatmeal. When plain oatmeal got boring I would measure out and add dried fruit such as raisins, or apricots. Another low calorie filling food. I also removed cheese, dressings of all kinds and the big one, alcohol. It was tough at first but I never went hungry and simply made food choices based on calories. I got to the point where if it was a food choice Between something I wanted and something I could eat but not want as much I compared how much swimming I would have to do to offset the food and would typically make the lower calorie choice.

The best way to lose weight is to couple physical exercise with caloric reduction. In order to maintain your physical exertion you will need proper nutrition. Google Myplate.gov and design meal plans around fruits, vegetables, grains, and lean protein. It's not rocket science, it's a lifestyle. I'm not being a smart _ss, I just get tired of watching people spend lots of $$$$$ to obtain something which should be a simple balance of lifestyle.