I haven't been in the pool in over a week. My dog had some serious surgery. The experience sapped my energy, and I just lost interest in doing any exercise, including swimming. I've been too tired to do much of anything but sit in front of the tV and catch up with Orange is the New Black and Longmire. I've only been swimming six months, and on top of the doggy issue, am discouraged with my lack of progress i.e., being the slowest one in the lane. Is it possible this is just newbie burnout, and I'll get my swimming mojo back? When I swim I'm careful to eat clean, but of course the bad stuff has worked its way back into my diet.
I'd like to know whether any of you go through swimming burnout, or if you did at the beginning when you were just really learning the sport (if you can remember that far back LOL), and how you push through the stressful times that threaten to sideline you and halt any progress you're making.
Stewart gives some great advice, and yes, everyone goes through periods of waning interest at times. Another thing you can do is to put some sort of race or meet on the calendar and that helps keep you pointing towards an event goal. It helps you stay focused and creates excitement as the date gets closer. And then when that one is over, you can put another on the calendar. Check out some of the postal swims on the USMS site. Some of them aren't a fixed date, but can be done sometime in a month. You might want to use one of these as a goal "race" or event.
When I ran, it was harder to get motivated to get out there. I'd gone through doldrums like yours many times, but in order to break them and get back into the groove, I had to get out. Promise yourself to get in the pool for 15 minutes and likely you'll stay for a bit longer once you get out there. You can do it! :)
Stewart gives some great advice, and yes, everyone goes through periods of waning interest at times. Another thing you can do is to put some sort of race or meet on the calendar and that helps keep you pointing towards an event goal. It helps you stay focused and creates excitement as the date gets closer. And then when that one is over, you can put another on the calendar. Check out some of the postal swims on the USMS site. Some of them aren't a fixed date, but can be done sometime in a month. You might want to use one of these as a goal "race" or event.
When I ran, it was harder to get motivated to get out there. I'd gone through doldrums like yours many times, but in order to break them and get back into the groove, I had to get out. Promise yourself to get in the pool for 15 minutes and likely you'll stay for a bit longer once you get out there. You can do it! :)
