Hi all I am new here. I am wondering what is a good routine to swim and lose weight? I am close to 250lbs right now and don't look good fat LOL. was doing some research and found an article written by USMS' own Bill Volckening (if he posts here, hi Bill!) that talks about how he lost weight by swimming and changing his diet, but he don't talk about the swimming much, just the eating. LOL and i've had enough eating.
His story is very inspriational though and I want tofollow suit! I've started a diet but I need help with swiming! ANy suggestions?? ThxU!
Parents
Former Member
I think the main difference here is that between being 'fat' and being 'obese'. You can be 'fat' - meaning over your ideal body weight, and still not be obese. Plus, when calculating things like body mass index (BMI), which is often used to determine relative obesity, there is often a disclaimer that conditioned athletes don't fit well into the categories, because of the "muscle weighs more than fat" thing. In which case, they generally recommend athlete track their body fat percentage.
We also have to ask ourselves how we define 'fat'. Most anorexics would consider themselves fat because that's what the disorder does to you. Some studies suggest that women, in general, see themselves as being heavier than they are and men, in general, see themselves as being thinner than they are.
Being in your 'ideal' weight range is a Good Thing, but I'm a firm believer than only one's doctor can make the decision if a person's health is in danger because of their weight.
I swim because it makes me healthier (OK, and the ice cream thing). Before I started swimming again (after a 8 year hiatus for the end of high school, college, and graduate school), I had a fitness assessment done at the university health clinic. The first thing I was told was that I was obese. Then they were astounded as my blood pressure, heart rate, and lung capacity numbers came out in the range of an athlete. According to the woman doing the assessment, this was unbelievable.
I think that's what's meant by fit and fat - if a doctor looked at everything but your weight, they'd say you're in great health and a model for others. One look at the scale, and suddenly, you're at death's door.....
Kae
I think the main difference here is that between being 'fat' and being 'obese'. You can be 'fat' - meaning over your ideal body weight, and still not be obese. Plus, when calculating things like body mass index (BMI), which is often used to determine relative obesity, there is often a disclaimer that conditioned athletes don't fit well into the categories, because of the "muscle weighs more than fat" thing. In which case, they generally recommend athlete track their body fat percentage.
We also have to ask ourselves how we define 'fat'. Most anorexics would consider themselves fat because that's what the disorder does to you. Some studies suggest that women, in general, see themselves as being heavier than they are and men, in general, see themselves as being thinner than they are.
Being in your 'ideal' weight range is a Good Thing, but I'm a firm believer than only one's doctor can make the decision if a person's health is in danger because of their weight.
I swim because it makes me healthier (OK, and the ice cream thing). Before I started swimming again (after a 8 year hiatus for the end of high school, college, and graduate school), I had a fitness assessment done at the university health clinic. The first thing I was told was that I was obese. Then they were astounded as my blood pressure, heart rate, and lung capacity numbers came out in the range of an athlete. According to the woman doing the assessment, this was unbelievable.
I think that's what's meant by fit and fat - if a doctor looked at everything but your weight, they'd say you're in great health and a model for others. One look at the scale, and suddenly, you're at death's door.....
Kae
