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.
HOWEVER, I think genetics comes into play a LOT here. I don't know what her parents look like but I think genetics are a big part of how you look. You can alter that slightly with diet & exercise OR alter it to an extreme with extreme measures ....
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Agreed, I am very much a smaller version of my Mom and always have been. In fact, once when I was young, I was rummaging through boxes in my Grandmother's attic and found a picture of my Mom when she was the same age, and good heavens, it was me!
To Donna.............What Olympics did you "qualify" for and what country?
Since Donna often loses power where she now lives, I'll answer for her. Not sure why the word "qualify" needed to be in quotes ...
She was a 1968 Olympian swimming for the United States. Her specialty was backstroke. Donna was also featured in the last issue of USMS magazine. She's a distance swimmer now.
Jim- I can't carry a tune in a bag! Although I still sang to my babies- what the hay, they can't talk to complain :p Anyway, with enough beer anybody and everybody sounds good. It's about the fun!
I too could use a new trick. I've given serious thought to the tummy tuck (or rather suck). My doctor said no, because elective surgery, like any other, is dangerous due to side effects, possibility of infection, etc. Besides I'm not vain enough to risk my life and leave my kids without a mom. Also, it's pretty pricey, I think.
However, I do look almost like my mom who is 66. (I'm 2 inches taller.) She has skinny legs (doesn't work out AT ALL) and a big tummy. That's where all her fat is. So, I don't know what I can do to beat genetics! I'll keep the legs (my hubby likes 'em), but I could do without the tummy!
SwimStud- Shouldn't that be "how much" do you think I am? :p :thhbbb:
Former Member
Kirk, I mean compared to today's standard for rail thin girls. MM always had "junk in her trunk" and was superly curvy...not fat.
Curvy is good for women IMO! If you ever watch Americas Top Model (my wife watches it o.k. Rich so don't even think about it o.k. LOL!) with Tyra Banks as host, the contestants are all tooo thin in my opinion. Mariyln Monroe had the perfect body style IMHO....not too thin...but not too fat either. I think I will have to go listen to Goodbye Norma Jean by Elton John now and cry my eyes out for a while.
Newmastersswimmer
Former Member
Are we talking about a percentage of weight? Sounds like a rather dubious statistic. Assuming it's true, I'd think it shows more about the prevalence of obesity today rather than models and actresses being excessively thin.
Yea. I'm not sure what the average weight of women is, but most models weigh about 25% less than the average...compared with 8% back in the day.
It's tied to a lot of things. I can't remember all the reasons and I think I threw away my notes that I had it written down in. I'm assuming it's true though, I learned it in class.
Former Member
I've gotta say Bork, that was pretty funny. I'll add that to my arsenal!
One need not be thin to be healthy but it does help. Being overweight, 15 pounds does not count by the way, is taxing on your joints as well as your heart.
Glad you liked it Matt! :cool:
Newmastersswimmer
Former Member
Kirk,
I'm not saying MM was fat. I'm only comparing her to today's models (who in comparison, would make her look fat, next to them). That's all.
yes Kirk we're actually saying she was NOT FAT. W're saying that by today's "icon" guages she would be. When in rality it is the modern "shape" is painfully thin. IMHO
Look at Hillary Duff, and the change she has undergone since emerging from Lizzy McGuire's shadow...she looks awful. I only use her b/c my daughter watched that show.
