It seems that there are completely different opinions among the so-called experts when it comes to swimming for weight loss.
Does anyone know of someone who swims regularly and has not lost weight? I don't mean a leisurely couple of laps, but a regular workout.
Are there any obese swimmers who work out regularly and are competitive?
I'm thinking that the fitness experts don't like swimming because they are either:
a. Not good swimmers
b. Can't swim enough distance to get a good work out in; or
c. Had a bad experience with swimming.
Any input on this topic is appreciated (beyond the diet and exercise speech).
Former Member
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).
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?
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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?
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.
