Swimming & Weight Loss

RE: Swimming & Weight Loss

flystorms — Thu, 15 Dec 2016 01:11:47 GMT

I went to a nutritionist last year and fortunately, ended up with one who was a college swimmer. She got it the ravenous appetites after morning practice and how to handle double days without passing out! We really worked on getting the right calories and breaking them up throughout the day. She had me with a lot of protein. Over the course of 3 months, I lost only about 9lbs, but none of it was muscle, it was all fat. She pinched me with the calipers and took measurements. It was very exciting and in the end, I also ended up gaining a lot of speed with that muscle. Don't hesitate to look into a sports nutritionist who might be able to tweak what you're doing.

RE: Swimming & Weight Loss

mayleechung11 — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 06:43:47 GMT

I actually lost 30lbs after taking a break from open water swimming. I live in the northwest and in summer swim in the lakes. the temps are about 65-70? I don't remember now. I also eat an incredible amount after a good one hour or one mile swim. I wonder whether swimming at the gym would cause me to lose weight? Because the water is less cold and I would need for less "insulation". I kinda struggle with this one. (I am 5'5" 1/2" and 155. When I was swimming outdoors I was as much as 180 #. )I have eaten a large pizza from the restaurant without regrets when I was open water training. My dr says that I need to lose weight, but I just tell her I'm an athlete. :) so my BMI will be higher. I'm also 40 and kind of a chesty woman with large hips. My percentage body fat is about 30% and I don't think I could get lower than 140#. I feel stronger in the upper body after swimming. But here's to eating carbs! Probably need to cut down on soda pop and just over eating. I don't ever 'diet' after a lifestyle change or a different season I just lose or gain weight. I do tend to gain 20 # in winter and lose 20 # in summer, my weight is all over the place. My aunt who is a dr told me just to eat at the same time every day and that will train my body. I wanted to add that I am not a competitive swimmer... mostly just for fun. One random thing I wanted to add, make sure you get your eloctrolytes... one time I was almost washed out... and had to go to the hospital!

RE: Swimming & Weight Loss

Former Member — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 16:49:02 GMT

I thought I'd add my own results to this discussion. I started getting exercise in the yard and garden in May, and started swimming again in June. I haven't really gone on a diet, I still eat whatever I want, as much as I want with two exceptions: high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated vegetable oils. One day a week I make at exception to the exception and eat some junk food. I could probably lose weight faster if I reduced my caloric intake but as we all know for the majority of people that is not really sustainable in the long term. Weights are in pounds not kg (for you Canadians). 5/1/07 215, yes really. 6/10/07 207 7/15/07 203 8/16/07 197 8/27/07 193 I think a lot of the studies that show swimming doesn't contribute to weight loss aren't specific enough about the level of exertion. 60 minutes of swimming is one thing but 60 minutes where you maintain a certain percentage of your max HR is another.

RE: Swimming & Weight Loss

Former Member — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 16:04:29 GMT

How do you measure fat and hydration? I have a skinfold caliper but I'm also aware of the handheld electric fat testers, is that what you have. How about hydration? It a "bathroom" scale that send an electric pulse through you and it measures the resistance based on gender, weight and height. There are several version to buy. I have the Tanita (sp?). They're kind of expensive (for a scale), but very handy.

RE: Swimming & Weight Loss

Former Member — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 15:45:36 GMT

I weigh myself regularly. I have a scale that also measure fat and hydration which I watch closer them total weight. To me weight is like BMI. It does take in to account other factors. How do you measure fat and hydration? I have a skinfold caliper but I'm also aware of the handheld electric fat testers, is that what you have. How about hydration?

RE: Swimming & Weight Loss

Former Member — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 14:32:10 GMT

I think a lot of the studies that show swimming doesn't contribute to weight loss aren't specific enough about the level of exertion. 60 minutes of swimming is one thing but 60 minutes where you maintain a certain percentage of your max HR is another. Most of the lap swimmers I see look like they're taking it easy. Especially if you are a decent swimmer you can go through the motions easily. Running is always hard no matter what you do.

RE: Swimming & Weight Loss

Former Member — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 14:15:40 GMT

I weigh myself regularly. I have a scale that also measure fat and hydration which I watch closer them total weight. To me weight is like BMI. It does take in to account other factors. Clothes and the mirror are the best for that. Congrats n the discipline it takes to make the change!

RE: Swimming & Weight Loss

aquageek — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 08:02:30 GMT

That's good and reasonable progress Dorothy. Those last 7 will be easy I bet. I felt and looked like a tub of goo in July 2006, weighing in at 190. Between last July and February I dropped to 158 and have kept it there ever since. No more heartburn, fewer nagging injuries, etc. I only weigh once a month.

RE: Swimming & Weight Loss

Former Member — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 07:58:27 GMT

I started swimming in September of 06. I've now lost about 46 lbs with no dieting. It has slowed down a bit the last month or two, however. I think I am going to have to start counting the calories in order to loose the last 30 or so lbs. I will say that I have been my current weight in the past, but my body was definately bigger than it is now....so swimming as done an awesome job toning and taking away the inches. I have also really started to focus on mixing sprints with my longer sets, hoping to boost things even more.

RE: Swimming & Weight Loss

dorothyrde — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 06:39:25 GMT

Since July 4, I have been very careful about my diet. no processsed foods, lotsa fruits, and veggies, lotsa fish, lean meats. I find the weeks I swim or bike more, are the weeks I lose more. Swimming is very important to my weight loss. Since July 4, I have lost 13 pounds and have 7 more to go. Good feeling to pull out the clothes that were tucked away because they were too small! And while this diet was hard to adjust to at first(miss my sweets), boy does it give me energy and I feel great! This has translated to the pool and my swims(once the water temp went back down) have been great.

RE: Swimming & Weight Loss

Former Member — Wed, 08 Mar 2006 11:43:00 GMT

Personally, I've always found it's better to fuel up before exercise, so the body has something to draw on while it's being stressed. (Of course, more than an hour before swimming). I don't eat after a practice, but that's because it's usually 9:00 pm and I'm going to go to bed soon. I drink some water and I'm fine. I guess it depends on the time of day you're doing the exercise. JIM

RE: Swimming & Weight Loss

Former Member — Tue, 07 Mar 2006 08:09:00 GMT

Hi there, I'm new to the forum but glad I found it! Just recently I found out about a masters swimming near my home. To be honest, I don't really know anything about master's swimming. I just want to swim and get in better shape. I'm also interested in losing weight but I'm not obsessed with a number, just want to look and feel good in my skin (and clothes) and reduce my level of stress. I love being in water and have always found the pool a great way to leave my stress behind. I also think it's kind of funny that people are talking about wanting to eat like a horse after a swim, I found that after hiking for a few hours! I think any time you work hard you are going to want/need to eat and refuel yourself, right?

RE: Swimming & Weight Loss

Former Member — Sat, 28 Jan 2006 17:05:56 GMT

Originally posted by LindsayNB An interesting article on swimming and weight loss: channels.netscape.com/.../package.jsp Summary: cold water makes you hungry! I agree with this. There are some studies around supporting this. I always feel like I could eat a cow after workout, compared to other training(such as running) ive done. However, if you can control yourself you should be able to lose weight(burn more then you consume).

RE: Swimming & Weight Loss

Former Member — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 11:59:39 GMT

The cold water temperature was 68. That is cold!! Especially for students at the University of Florida where the study was done. I don't think you can take the results of this study and apply it to a more reasonable water temperature like 79 or 80.

RE: Swimming & Weight Loss

Former Member — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 10:44:41 GMT

An interesting article on swimming and weight loss: channels.netscape.com/.../package.jsp Summary: cold water makes you hungry!

RE: Swimming & Weight Loss

Former Member — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 08:08:55 GMT

When I first started swimming with a Masters group, I lost about 100 pounds. It was the first time in my life I was at a correct weight/body fat. I also was following an extremely strict low-fat diet counting calories and doing some drylands (stationary bike, weights, stretching) After a while, I quit keeping up my food/exercise diary and the pounds started creeping back on. My weight typically fluctuates 7-10# a month so the scales didn't really provide feedback, and I have never been able to go by how "full I feel" to keep from overeating. I had a change in my social life, work schedule and also became more involved in swim administration and missing workouts became the rule, not the exception. I was making maybe 2-4 workouts a MONTH and the drylands ended. Just 100 calories a day consumed in excess of what's used can be a huge difference after 10 years. Ten years later ... I have resolved to put the swimming at a higher priority. In the past month I have been making it to practice about 4 times a week for at least an hour. After a solid effort at practice, I find that my appetite is completely different than otherwise. I crave fruits, high-liquid foods, and don't have a desire for rich heavy meals, chips/salsa or my beloved beer, wine or margaritas. What sounds good are carbs -- like a burrito made with mashed potatoes and spanish rice! or a homemade smoothie with lots of fruit, OJ, nonfat yogurt, and ice. Overall my appetite is curbed. I can't say for sure how much weight I've lost but it's probably 5-10#. I can feel a difference in my muscle strength/tone and the jeans are looser. When I was in high school and college I swam on the team (about 20,000 yards a week), ate junk, and was always too fat. When I started playing adult rec soccer (goalie), softball, jogging, biking, volleyball, bowling, racketball, etc. for 6 days a week I still was overweight and gaining. Most of these have a lot of standing around relative to playing time, and after games we would always go for beer/pizza or something. In my present shape, I would be hard-pressed to find another activity that I could pursue for 90 minutes at any level of intensity. So my personal experience is that swimming is great for weight loss, but it has to be at a certain workload and in conjunction with a healthy diet.

RE: Swimming & Weight Loss

Former Member — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 07:30:13 GMT

When I posted this thread, I had just started back swimming. I was out of shape and I wanted to lose weight, but I didn't want to invest time and energy into something that wasn't going to work. I have been swimming 3-5 times a week since mid Oct. 2005, my diet has always been relatively healthy, but portion control was an issue so I tried to watch that - eating only enough to satisfy my hunger, etc. and no wine during the week. I have not lost one single pound. I weigh exactly the same as I did when I started. BUT, the cool thing is I am losing inches like mad. I've lost 3 1/2 inches around my waist, bust and hips. I've lost 1 inch around my thighs and arms. Everyone tells me I am looking really good. I am wearing clothes that I couldn't even zip or button in October. My point is not to brag, but to provide encouragement for everyone else that is trying to lose weight. Keep track of your measurements! It is absolutely true what they say - muscle weighs more than fat and muscle takes up less room in your body than fat does. I had read that it takes 12-20 weeks after starting a swimming program before weight loss occurs. I'm just over the 12 week mark and I am more motivated then ever to keep going. If you are reading this for encouragement ---- Don't give up!

RE: Swimming & Weight Loss

Frank Thompson — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 07:27:05 GMT

Jean: Your statement is true and 68 does seem a little cold. I have actually worked out doing a lot of distance training in water like that. But 91.4 degrees is worse and I believe dangerous. Its funny because 79 to 80 is about half way between both temperatures. I not disputing that cold water makes you hungry. It also makes you extremly tired. However, warm water at 91.4 would make you dehydrated and tired also. Plus at that temperature the pool chlorine and pH would be heavy and the water clarity would not be pleasant to swim in a workout situation. You would have to take a shower longer to get rid of ichy skin.

RE: Swimming & Weight Loss

Frank Thompson — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 05:56:49 GMT

LindsayNB: I hope people that run swimming facilities, especially Y's and Rec center pools don't see this study. This will be justification for them to keep water temperature high and hot to exceed 86/88 degrees. I know you have seen countless times on this forum about peoples experiences fighting facilites about hot water conditions and trying to get a decent workout in. When they read this they will say cold water is bad for you. Specifically they will say no more 80 degree days or under for pool temperatures.

RE: Swimming & Weight Loss

Former Member — Tue, 25 Oct 2005 12:07:46 GMT

I have found that swimming does help with weight loss, but I have the best results when I combine swimming with controlling my diet. I've been doing master's swimming workouts 2x a week and either walking, biking, or swimming 1-2x a week since July. I've also been following Weight Watchers off and on since then. On the weeks that I follow Weight Watchers fairly well, I usually lose 2-3 pounds a week. On the weeks where I don't control my diet, I don't lose any weight or even end up gaining. I know I'm also getting stronger, but I don't see that on the scale. I am a 35 year old woman who is about 90 pounds overweight (ugh). I gained a lot of weight while on bedrest with my pregnancy and never managed to lose it (my daughter is 3). Overall since July I have managed to lose about 15 pounds. So I would say that swimming does help with weight loss, inasmuch as any cardio exercise does, but to see consistent weight loss results, you have to eat healthy. (I am a cheese addict too!) One good thing about swimming - I feel like I get a better workout sometimes than either walking or biking, because I am not as winded or tired since the water provides some buoyancy. So while unfortunately I am still very overweight, I can still do most of the workout. PS. Also I think weight training helps a lot with losing sizes rather than pounds - the weeks I weight train, I don't lose weight, but I notice my clothes fit better. :)

RE: Swimming & Weight Loss

Former Member — Tue, 25 Oct 2005 08:46:34 GMT

Susan- Last year when I started back after not swimming for almost 10 yrs. I lost 71 pounds. That was with swimming and portion control alone. No weights, running or anything. I have since added running and weights and lost an additional 20. I was FAT when I started back and I was still a good swimmer. Now, I am.....less fat and still a good swimmer. The biggest difference to me is that I can do 6000+ yard workout with my age group kids and still function after. I personally don't care what I weigh, I just know that I am half the person (physically) that I used to be and twice the person (mentally) that I used to be!!! Best of Luck Suzanne

RE: Swimming & Weight Loss

Former Member — Tue, 25 Oct 2005 06:09:29 GMT

Ladies (and gents)....if I can remember, I'll send Dr. Haas's recipe for the "healthy" cocktail.... Cheers! K;)

RE: Swimming & Weight Loss

Former Member — Tue, 25 Oct 2005 06:02:44 GMT

Kerry, that is totally awesome! I'm glad to hear from so women that have toned up and/or lost weight after starting a swimming program. I was a size 6 until I hit 33 and got a "desk" job. I've got a lot of weight and inches to lose, but everyone's comments has really encouraged me. Thanks again. In the past when I gained weight, it came off so easily. In the last 10 yrs, I have gained 80 lbs and tried everything, Weight Watcher's, Jenny Craig, South Beach, Atkins, Optifast, you name it and had no success. After the thyroid doctor told me that there was no medical reason stopping me from losing weight, I finally came to the realization that the missing ingrediant has to be exercise and my metabolism is completely out of whack. I recall in high school how our team had 1-2 really fat girls on the team who had swam all through age-group swimming and were actually pretty good swimmers until they got fat. But I think I remember that these girls ate alot of junk and were emotional eaters. Well, if my new diet/exercise regime works, I certainly will be able to write the book on effective weight loss!

RE: Swimming & Weight Loss

Former Member — Mon, 24 Oct 2005 15:28:42 GMT

Try searching the forum on this topic. From what I recall in past threads the consensus seemed to be there was limited success in weight loss from swimming. I'm impressed with some of the testimonials in this thread, looks like it works to me. I've never (in my life) been more than about 15# over what I feel is my ideal weight, which is now 180-185#@6'2". I did notice that once I passed 40y/o the weight did not come off as fast or easy (just as everyone said it would be). So I weigh my self at least 1x/wk mostly out of curiosity. I typically vary (on average) at least 5# between mid summer and mid winter. I can vary 3-5# in just a few days sometimes when sudden (extreme) changes in exercise, fluid intake, and diet all happen at once (as in "stress-outta-control"), but this event is fairly rare. I don't bother counting calories, or doing any complex diet analysis. I try to eat a well-rounded diet, avoid highly processed foods, eat when hungry and quit when full. Drinking plenty of water is important, typically 1-ltr per 50# of body weight per day. I often think there is room for improvement in my diet habits, but I generally feel good so I don't fuss or worry over it (as my worry demons are other things). Except for occasional yard work my only form of exercise has been swimming for over a decade now. Lately I typically swim 1600-2000+, in 60min+, 3x/wk. Sometimes I do Yoga, but that is it.

RE: Swimming & Weight Loss

Former Member — Sat, 22 Oct 2005 15:23:54 GMT

I have lost 60 pounds since May, and swimming is a big part of my program. To loose weight, you must eat less of the good stuff (fat free, low cal) and none of the bad. But the weeks that I swim the most, I have lost the most. While swimming alone is not enough, dieting works best when exercise is added. I believe that swimming has helped me the most mentally by helping tone up ( a little) the flab I have left....:)