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.
Former Member
One of my good friends is diabetic and looks 'fat' and out of shape. Everyone seems to assume he'll be really slow, but he often beats them.
Misread your post. I thought you said it was Geek who called you a Clydesdale and I was actually going to defend his honor. Egad.
If we are going to comment on "hot" swimmers, I'm just going to say my twin is "hot." Skinny with long legs. FlyQueen is pretty "hot" too. Rich's calves are hot with no fat whatsoever. I know this is a body part, but I assume I can make this comment since breaststrokers are supposed to have diamond calves according to Wayne.
Sounds like you have a lot of hot friends there Les! I guess old well fed hippie geeks aren't exactly hot though LOL! (I'm only teasing now Les...You can't name all of your hot friends now right LOL!)....But at least I fit the category of "fat" swimmer....None of the others you listed are anywhere close to fat....So how about semi-hot (or at least not elephant man hideous) friends that are also...well let just say "well fed"? LOL!
Newmastersswimmer
Originally Posted by knelson:
I'd say the same goes for the fastest male masters swimmers. Can anyone think of any super fast men who are substantially overweight? I can't.
I can: Manuel Sanguily, now in the 70-74 age group. Cuban Olympian and USMS record holder in the breaststroke many times. Since I first saw him in about 1993, I would say he has been definitely overweight with or without reference to the statistical tables. Nevertheless, he can still motor!
When I was 35 pounds heavier, he was my role model. Now that I'm thinner and can't swim any faster I don't have a role model.
-- mel
Adipose tissue (aka: "fat") tends to float easier. You don't need to expend as much energy as lean body types trying to stay "up" in the water. Streamlining tends to more of a challenge however.
This is an interesting point, Jim. After I lost substantial weight, my breaststroke body positioning didn't feel right. On the other hand, my freestyle position felt much better. I'm presuming that it was the change in fatty tissues in the upper body that accounted for the difference. I've had to re-learn breaststroke and freestyle due to these changes.
-- mel
.....in addition to the usual races, adding races for "butterfrog."
:rofl:Good one; this would be worse than adding a Clydesdale Division of which I am a member. And many of us Clydesdales do swim pretty fast; like Jim mentioned about fat floats but streamlining could be a problem !:rofl: I guess when a fatter swimmer beats a thinner swimmer it can seem unbelievable to some. The question of How comes to mind. And I have that answer.
donna
I've noticed a big difference myself when I'm at ~185 versus the current 200. Must be leftover "holiday weight". From 2003....?
My holiday weight was left over from 1984, after spending two years living in Europe learning how to eat well and plentifully.
One must practice anything if one expects to get good at it!
-- mel
:rofl:Good one; this would be worse than adding a Clydesdale Division of which I am a member. And many of us Clydesdales do swim pretty fast; like Jim mentioned about fat floats but streamlining could be a problem !:rofl: I guess when a fatter swimmer beats a thinner swimmer it can seem unbelievable to some. The question of How comes to mind. And I have that answer.
donna
Amen Donna! Plus being a curvy gal does have its advantages....the male lifeguards seem to flock by my lane when I'm swimming back stroke. :dunno:
Jim? Are you there? (***, ***, ***- knocking on computer screen)
Helloooooooooooo ;)
You are killing me, Karen. OK, I give up. Let's here what a "broad" is Jim. ***. ***. ***. :rofl:
That settles it, open water for me! ;) Do they have Clydesdale divisions for that too? :p
(Kari and Beth that's your cue, if you wanna' make a little moola- get it MOO-la?) :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: Hey, that's what I look like after too many drinks!!!
