fatness

I know it's easier said than done, but don't worry about it. When you start to worry about it, you won't enjoy swimming as much, and it may just be self defeating. There are a couple of guys that swim occasionally with us at practice that have larger physiques and they kick ass! They're just as fast and faster during some sets, as anyone else swimming with us, and no-one thinks of them negatively at all. Remember we all tend to be more critical of ourselves than of other people (at least most of us). And above all HAVE FUN!

If I let fatness get in my way 5 years ago, well, I would still be sitting on the pool deck, so get in there and swim. Honest, no lap swimmers look, they are too busy swimming. And if anyone else looks, tough, you are doing what you need to do to get in shape.

Hey, at least you are doing something about it! Right? Get out there and swim your heart out. Burn boatloads of calories and transform your body into something that you want. Most importantly, don't worry about what others think. A little gut and "man boobs" are a sight that is quite common at my local pool. I would not sweat it.

I am 260 lbs and feel great about it. If people don't like my body they can look the other way. I still wear my speedo. The only shame you can have is if you feel ashamed.

Originally posted by geochuck I am 260 lbs and feel great about it. If people don't like my body they can look the other way. I still wear my speedo. The only shame you can have is if you feel ashamed. Good post and an even better attitude George!

Just a thought in 1964 I started the swim season weighing 255 lbs on July 9th by the time my race season was over swimming 350 miles of races plus training and eating bad fish in Egypt I arrived home on October 23 weighing 182 lbs. Now that was something to be ashamed of, not my weight but eating the bad fish.

I probably one of the fatter swimmers around here. Yesterday there was this woman younger than me and weight a lot less,I was only about 5 seconds behind her in breaststroke kick. For many swimmers if you are heavier probably breastroke is less effective by being overweight.

Originally posted by Peter Cruise I think it is disgraceful the way overweight people are treated in our society. Conversely, they also place an enormous burden on our society by lost productivity, horrific health issues, etc.

Originally posted by aquageek Conversely, they also place an enormous burden on our society by lost productivity, horrific health issues, etc. But treating them rudely is not going to help them overcome the problem. A little compassion goes a long way. If an obese person could snap their fingers and be thin, I am sure they would, it just is not that easy to lose weight, and then once lost keep it off. It is really, really, really hard.

I do totally understand the issues associated with both gaining and losing weight. Check out your pool next January and then again in February.