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
Try it and post if you think it is fairly accurate. www.he.net/.../prothd2.html
Thank you!
And thank you all for all your help!!!!! :notworthy:
Gerdrick..do you like what you see in the mirror? If yes...then you're fine :)
It depends on a mirror :) Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't....oh well even when I was very skinny I still didn't like some parts of my body, now I am trying to live healthy and swim a lot! :) So, my coach seems to think that I am ok and that counts for something.....right? :dunno: I did notice though that my leg muscles are bigger than before.....is that a swim thing?
Can anyone recommend good diet for swimmers or a book about it? Thanks!
My nickname has been "Thunder Thighs" since I was a baby...thanx Mom and Dad. I have noticed that since I started swimming again (and when I was younger) that even though I had big thighs they are more tone and firmer instead of just jelly.
I also noticed that at my meet last weekend, some of the fastest people had a little extra around the middle. Some of the fastest people on my team have a little extra padding for their muscles, but they post really fast times. So extra cushion can't slow you down that much.
Kyra,
I believe that I met you at the meet in Pullman, and I can't figure out how you have a nickname like "Thunder Thighs." Definitely did not perceive you as such.
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.
You are too kind big sis ... who by the way is also way hot...
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 wouldn't call it 'super fast' but I had 3 or 4 times in SCM top 10 when I was over 260 lbs. I'm around 222 right now.
Aquageek,
I thought there WAS a Clydesdale/Athena category, remember when you know who called me one of those?:rofl::rofl: So I presumed this was a valid cagtegory.
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.
I'm not your prototype swimmer, at 6'1" 245. (When I was in college a sprinter tried to direct me to the football field). I've made a concentrated effort to drop down to 230 from 250 before the GCBS in June. I've always been good at moving weight around from one place on my body to another. Its frustrating to be in uncharted territory (belts too big, pants falling off butt) but no luck with overall mass.
We need a 'Clydesdale' division like TriFed!
