Thinking of starting to swim again

RE: Thinking of starting to swim again

Former Member — Thu, 24 Apr 2003 15:29:07 GMT

I'd go for at least a few sessions a week with the coach. I started swimming two years ago to lose some weight, I was around 215-220. I only swam in High school because the college coach didn't want me even though he needed people. I swam for 6 months or so by myself, then found a masters group near me. After two years I am now swimming just as fast as I was in HS, and I would have to think it was because of the workouts and the help from the coaches. I wouldn't worry about looking bad, I don't think many people pay much attention to what others look like, at least I don't. I say go for it.

RE: Thinking of starting to swim again

Former Member — Thu, 24 Apr 2003 14:10:50 GMT

I would add one cautionary note to what's been said here. If for some reason you can't join a team, don't allow yourself to use that as an excuse not to go back. It's really easy just to cop out when you can't get with a program. And if you do go back without a team, remain disciplined and stay with it. You CAN get a good workout on your own if you take the initiative. I would have preferred the structure of a team to my weird workouts and daily battle against other lap swimmers and water aerobes smacking into me. But with the unpredictable nature of my work schedule, I can't make the Masters practices. As a result, I have a constant battle with myself to not hit the snooze button convinced that I don't really need to get up early to get to the pool today as long as I go tomorrow. Then tomorrow I have the same battle again. If you find yourself in my shoes, remain vigilant!

RE: Thinking of starting to swim again

Former Member — Thu, 24 Apr 2003 12:08:54 GMT

I agree with everything posted here. My opinion is that you should get back to the good habits you formed back when you were in shape. If that means swimming on a team, by all means, go for it. I, too, recently started getting back in the pool after a long layoff. While I never swam competitively, I used to swim about 5 miles/week. About a week or so ago I tried one of my older, longer workouts and found it very easy to get back into my old habit. (Of course, it's also easy to slip back into the "couch potato" habit I've had for too long.) Hopefully you'll find the same is true. Later, Sparky

RE: Thinking of starting to swim again

Rob Copeland — Thu, 24 Apr 2003 04:26:14 GMT

I agree with Edward, GO FOR IT and get with a team. Many people who wait until they are in shape before they join a club never get there. And if your goal is to get in shape and some day compete again, then getting with a program will get you to your goals faster. A couple of other benefits of joining a club sooner rather than later are 1) there are some great New England Masters that you will meet and 2) if you are in bad shape now you may win “Most Improved Swimmer” awards!