Ok, I know this problem has probably been tackeled before but I could use some advice for my own personal benifit. I'm 19 and about 50 lbs overweight. I'm 5'3 and weigh 190. I'm not horribly ashamed of my body or anything like that. But I do know that I am horribly out of shape. Ever since I was a kid I've loved to swim and when I was in 6th grade I finally got some training to learn the proper strokes. Durning that time I lost my baby fat and was in better shape than I have been in since. I joined the swimming team my freshman year and got all the way through the training season before I had to quit (due to my slack in grades). I've tried different work out routines, excercise videos, etc. But nothing has worked as well as swimming has. I am again going to start swimming to get into shape but I don't feel I'm ready to begin joining anything like masters. Does anyone have any suggestions for good swimming workouts that I could do 3-4 days a week that will get me back in shape and ready to join something like masters for competitions. Thanks to anyone who can help.
Parents
Former Member
Melissa,
Where in MO are you? Near St. Louis? If so, give me a shout when you want to talk about teams (private email; it's an option off of this forum), and we can discuss area teams. If not, the places to swim link in this web site can help you find a team wherever you are. In terms of meets, there is usually a nice SCM meet in November in the St. Louis area, the Illinois State SCY Championships are in Evanston in April (that is a very high quality meet), and SIU/Carbondale has a good LCM meet in July. It's a perfect tune-up for LCM Nationals. The Chicago area has LOTS of meets, but I can only vouch for the Illinois States since that is the only one I have attended. If you like open water, and would like to take an immediate reading of where you are right now, the Big Shoulders Swim is Sept 7th off of Navy Pier in Chicago. You have time to enter, and can chose 2.5K or 5K. Nice chance to get a "before" time, so next years swim will show SO MUCH improvement.
In any event, I would recommend finding a team sooner rather than later. With all due respect to Cynthia impressive self discipline, the boredom factor, and the same ole/same ole workout syndrom will set in faster than you think. Boredom is the greatest enemy, as you have probably discovered with your other exercise programs.
Matt
Melissa,
Where in MO are you? Near St. Louis? If so, give me a shout when you want to talk about teams (private email; it's an option off of this forum), and we can discuss area teams. If not, the places to swim link in this web site can help you find a team wherever you are. In terms of meets, there is usually a nice SCM meet in November in the St. Louis area, the Illinois State SCY Championships are in Evanston in April (that is a very high quality meet), and SIU/Carbondale has a good LCM meet in July. It's a perfect tune-up for LCM Nationals. The Chicago area has LOTS of meets, but I can only vouch for the Illinois States since that is the only one I have attended. If you like open water, and would like to take an immediate reading of where you are right now, the Big Shoulders Swim is Sept 7th off of Navy Pier in Chicago. You have time to enter, and can chose 2.5K or 5K. Nice chance to get a "before" time, so next years swim will show SO MUCH improvement.
In any event, I would recommend finding a team sooner rather than later. With all due respect to Cynthia impressive self discipline, the boredom factor, and the same ole/same ole workout syndrom will set in faster than you think. Boredom is the greatest enemy, as you have probably discovered with your other exercise programs.
Matt
