Hi,
I have been swimming for a short time now, and have fallen in love with lap swimming. I am 37 years old female who is very overweight and out of shape. My weight was over 300 and I had many health problems. I made many life changes and now have lost 62 lbs. I discovered that I like to work out, but my stamina is really low right now. When I started swimming I just wanted to make it accross the pool. Now that I can do that, I want to increase my endurance, stamina, and learn how to swim with good technique.
I competed on a speech team in college, so I understand the advantage of working with a coach as well as maintaining a workout routine.
Fear has kept me from joining -- will I be laughed at when I show up at the pool? Do I need to wait until I have lost more weight to join? Am I too much of a "beginner" to join? I would rather have people tell me honestly if my weight is a problem, than be embarrassed at the pool.
Any input would be appriciated.
Thanks, Kelly
(sorry about spelling)
Kelly -
Join at once and be as involved as you can be. I've been a USMS member for 5 years now and have witnessed all shapes and sizes in workouts/competitions. The only limiting factor I see time and time again is lack of involvement. You need to reach out to those that consistently workout in your facility. They will help to overcome the times when you want to skip the workout, slack off, etc. Even if your ability levels differ greatly, they like to have someone in the pool to workout with/talk to, too. Be confident and keep at it.
Kelly, Welcome to the world of swimming! If any one laughs at you, report them to me directly and I'll send a fresh water shark to the pool that they swim in:D JK
We are glad to have you! It is us, all of us, including you that make this possible!!!!
Kelly:
Heck no...NO ONE will laugh at you...swimmers like you are WHAT Masters Swimming is all about.....WELCOME...and way to go on getting in shape....
If it makes you feel better....trust me....no one is ever going to laugh at you....I know because they didn't laugh at me when I started back 14 years ago.....and I've got half an a-- and wear a Speedo....
You'll be fine....and remember...it is not the destination....it is the journey.....enjoy it....
Kelly,
I’m with NYSwim, any adult who laughs at others because of physical appearance, has some serious problems of their own.
To quote Nancy Ridout Masters is “Swimming for Life” not swimming only for the fast. I think you are more likely to find people who applaud you for the life changes you have made and for your willingness to try.
I echo what the others have said: you will not be laughed at for your swimming. There is respect for someone who puts in the training to improve their health, and encouragement to those trying to get better.
I remember a swimmer, who was just learning breaststroke at the time. He was a runner, so his kick was barely legal. Well, at the big meet, he got DQ'ed in the IM (for the kick), but decided to try again in the 200 Br. A coach signaled to him, at the 75, that his kick got him DQ'ed again. At that point, he started porpoising and generally goofing around! So people were laughing, but they were laughing with him.
You'll also notice the number of people trying to be funny in these discussion threads. And people still aren't laughing! :D
Kelly, there are many of us that are in Masters that are there for the fun, fitness and to swim with likeminded people. I started at 38, others here also started as adults. Just grab a kick board, pull bouy and fins and get started. Do what you can of the sets, sit out when you need rest. NO ONE will say anything to you about that. Before you know it, you will be keeping up!
any one who laughs at someone trying to better themselfs is a loser...i cannot say what usms is like as im in the uk..but as ive been writing on this forum for some time ive come to know a lot of people on here and i can vouch for them and would expect them to not only NOT laugh at you but would encourage and compliment you..in the uk weight is a problem for a growing percentage of the population government figures recently showed something like 30%(cant remember exact percentage)were obese...i think theres going to be a lot more heavier swimmers as time goes by and in other physical activities too....by the way the reason i started swimming again about 5 years ago was to,initially,lose some weight...so all i can offer you is words of encouragement
Three years ago we had an overweight woman join our team and did not swim well. We did not laugh, but I think secretly admired her courage, committment, and drive. I believe she made EVERY workout then.
She now works at a Jenny Craig place, and competes in meets, and is no longer overweight thanks to her determination, and swimming.
