Updates from the new guy in the pool.

My swimming has gotten better, much better. I'm much more comfortable with it now. I have went from floundering and embarrassing to, well, not quite as floundering and embarrassing. haha. I can comfortably swim a lap now and then a little more without stopping. I know that sounds elementary to you guys, but to me it's nice considering just a little less than two months ago I couldn't swim with my head down in the water and had to come home and blow bubbles in a sink to get used to that. I swim probably total of 8 laps, but they're broken with rests after a length. no hurry. So many things that I've worked on. But flippers have really helped me. I only use them about 1/2 or less of my swims. They allow me to focus on my form from the top of my body while I glide with them. They keep me afloat and my butt up while I'm thinking head down, arms up, roll, etc. Then sometimes I just "torpedo" with them, head down, and kick with my glutes, breathing to the side occasionally, arms out dive position, no strokes. I gotta get used to my butt rocking a lil bit side to side. Sometimes I use the paddles, I hate it, but I do cause I've been told it gives you a feel for the water better and strenthens the pecs/arms. I had thought my head was more down, but yesterday my swim buddy reminded me that it's not. He videod me on my phone and I watched it. Funny, you don't look like you THINK you look. My head was not down. Once I put my head more down things got better immediatly, including my endurance. much less drag. I'm keeping it flat enough that a lil water leaks in on every turn to the side and that helps. I"m still just breathing to one side for right now. Thing is I love it. I've never really taken to something like this, sportswise. I've never dreamed about any sport. I've trimmed off bout 5 lbs as well in that time. My pants are really loose and I'm (inserting redface here) buffin up a lil. My abs are more defined and my legs/butt/chest are showing some defintion. Wife noticed that.;), well my swim buddy did too. He said that he could see changes thru my neck/shoulders. I swim most mornings before work, which sets my mind for the day. Usually in about 45 or an hour. some rests in between. I guess, besides the exercise part of it feeling good, I like the solitude. Nobody can talk to me or disrupt me while I'm gliding along. It's my time. I'm working on pushing my endurance up a notch or two now, as well as keeping my arms up. I read you guys posts and value your friendships. I hope that one day I can quit lurking and lend some good advice. I'm not sufficient yet. However, I hope that another newbie lurker can read my progress and learn from it. G'day folks, Mark