In the False Start thread we got off on a tangent about fat and thin swimmers. I'd like to start a thread about this topic.
Since having my three children (2000, 2002, 2004) I have struggled with losing that belly. My husband, Mr. Exercise Physiologist, guesses I have about 15 pounds in my stomach. The rest of me is back in shape, the extra weight is just in my tummy. And boy do I feel it in the water. I equate it to carrying a 15 pound weight. That's a lot to swim with!
That being said, I get a physical every year (cancer runs in my family, I found out a few years ago). My NP said that my BP (104/62) and HR (56 resting) were good. And to my surprise both my HDL and LDL were really good (I don't remember the numbers). My blood cell counts were good, yaddy, yaddy, yaddy.
My point is that even though I'm 15-20 pounds overweight I'm REALLY healthy. She's never suggested that I need to lose weight. However, as a swimmer, the benefits of losing it are obvious. I'd swim faster.
The fastest FEMALE Master's swimmers I've seen are super thin, but not anorexic (sp?). Laura Val, Alison Zamanian, Laureen Welting, Beth McGee, Karlyn Pipes-Neilson, etc. are all really trim and super fast. Now, I'm not saying that if you're skinny, you're automatically fast... I've just noticed that thin, talented swimmers seem to swim the fastest. I don't consider myself in either category, so these are just my observations.
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OK, I guess I could ask here...about 8 years ago I was 138 lb...then it was 150 lb, then 172 and now, oh my, 194 lb!!!! My hight is 5'11 and the thing is, my pants that I got 2 years ago (just about time I started really getting into swimming) still fit fine, the shirts are a bit tight in the shoulder area....now, how the heck did I end up with 194 lb??? Doc said my weight should be between 168 and 178 lb, but the only place I see that I could shape up a little is my tummy (have not had kids yet)... Am I huge with some secret fat area or is that muscle weight?
Throw out the scale! Seriously, the only true way to know is to get tested to see what percentage your body fat is. There is a way to measure your neck compared to your waist (I think) and this is supposed to be fairly accurate without the expense of water submersion. If I can find the link to the article I read, I will post it.
I think the best thing to do is to go by how you feel and what size clothes you wear - can you "pinch an inch"? What about "jiggly parts"? Blood pressure low? Cholesteral level low? Other blood counts normal? IMHO this is what really matters, not the number on the scale.
Everything in moderation (except swimming of course!). Exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, watch your calories, and live life to the fullest you can!
OK, I guess I could ask here...about 8 years ago I was 138 lb...then it was 150 lb, then 172 and now, oh my, 194 lb!!!! My hight is 5'11 and the thing is, my pants that I got 2 years ago (just about time I started really getting into swimming) still fit fine, the shirts are a bit tight in the shoulder area....now, how the heck did I end up with 194 lb??? Doc said my weight should be between 168 and 178 lb, but the only place I see that I could shape up a little is my tummy (have not had kids yet)... Am I huge with some secret fat area or is that muscle weight?
Throw out the scale! Seriously, the only true way to know is to get tested to see what percentage your body fat is. There is a way to measure your neck compared to your waist (I think) and this is supposed to be fairly accurate without the expense of water submersion. If I can find the link to the article I read, I will post it.
I think the best thing to do is to go by how you feel and what size clothes you wear - can you "pinch an inch"? What about "jiggly parts"? Blood pressure low? Cholesteral level low? Other blood counts normal? IMHO this is what really matters, not the number on the scale.
Everything in moderation (except swimming of course!). Exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, watch your calories, and live life to the fullest you can!
