Does swimming help you loose weight and get in shape.

RE: Does swimming help you loose weight and get in shape.

Allen Stark — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 03:36:36 GMT

The problem with those calculators is that their definition of vigorous lap swimming is not ours. 30 min.continuous swimming at 2:30/100 will burn much fewer calories than 10X100 on the 1:30 and that is taking only 15 min.10X100 on the 2:00 will still burn more calories in 20 min than their lap swimmer in 30.

RE: Does swimming help you loose weight and get in shape.

Former Member — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 10:27:01 GMT

Of course swimming can contribute to weight loss. Weight loss is a math equation: if calories in is more than calories out you will gain weight. Swmming is a relatively effective calorie burner if done at a good pace. Swimming regularly will add varying amounts of muscle which weighs more than fat. So I suggest weight is just one indicator to watch. Pants size, mirror, etc. are all useful to assess body shape. One pound of body weight = 3500 calories. According to website 30 minutes of "vigorous lap" swimming will burn 340 calories for a 150 pound person. Running 30 minutes at a 9 minute/mile pace will burn 375 calories. I know some people that drink 3-4 sodas a day. That's worth 600 calories/day or 62 pounds per year! That erases the weight loss benefits of swimming almost one hour per day.

RE: Does swimming help you loose weight and get in shape.

Former Member — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 12:58:31 GMT

Yep. Swimming (6x/week) + Weights (2x/week) is a great combo. When I was doing tris (heavy running and biking) I actually gained weight - about 10 to 13 lbs. So I stopped. Go figure. I'm about at my highschool weight. (I'm about 3 lbs heavier 17 yrs later.)

RE: Does swimming help you loose weight and get in shape.

Muppet — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 11:22:56 GMT

I liked the comment on "mixing it up" and have heard that using different activities helps keep the muscles "confused" enough that you never end up in a total rut, and you are then constantly retoning other muscle types/groups. Anyone else have this experience that could add to this discussion? I started playing hockey this winter to supplement my swim training. Something really different. I try to get out on the bike during the warm weather months, and will play basketball or flag football every once in a while. Haven't lifted since ~March. Does walking the dog count?

RE: Does swimming help you loose weight and get in shape.

Former Member — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 06:33:07 GMT

You've got it. The body does certainly "get used to" certain fatigue. It's really easy for me to do a series of sets and normal exercises and I just don't make ANY improvement. I'm not the one with expert advice but I agree with you. Mixing up jogging, exercises and swimming for me is helping a lot. Glad to hear that there are a lot of others like me out there too! - Thomas

RE: Does swimming help you loose weight and get in shape.

Former Member — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 14:56:09 GMT

Dieted for 1 and a half years, and swam and lost 70 lbs. Quit dieting, had to stop swimming for 2 months, gained 20lbs back. Now back swimming 5 days a week, 2000 yards a day, have lost about a pound a week for four weeks. Not dieting, but watching amounts, etc. I think to REALLY loose weight MUST diet and exercise. But to do it exercise alone it is a real slow process, and still must burn more than you eat... Remember, long term process, couple of pounds a week is good. This "loose 15 pounds in a week " crap is just that, crap, generally represents a water loss only (al la cabbage soup) which you simply regain when you stop injesting the dietretic.

RE: Does swimming help you loose weight and get in shape.

Former Member — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 11:10:34 GMT

Hi! My experience has been that swimming alone - without dieting and trying to up my metabolism - helped my fitness but I didn't really lose weight. I swam 1 to 2 times a week for 9 months and then I started swimming 5 days a week around 2 Km, but I didn't really lose any weight. The change occurred for me (from 236 last January to 209 now) when I was swimming 6 days a week, I started dieting and improved my metabolism. To top this off I joined a master's group as well and love it! I'm still losing weight and increasing my fitness, but the controlling diet and not splurging (ever!) seems to be most important for me. But I must say that without the swimming I'd never have made the improvements made to date. Though just like others have written, other activities help too; I've started jogging (I can't call what I do running either) 4 km 4 days a week and that helps too. In the end, swim! It will get you at least part of the way you want to go fitness wise but don't forget the rest. Cheers!

RE: Does swimming help you loose weight and get in shape.

Redbird Alum — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 05:11:14 GMT

Swimming is like any activity. It burns calories, tones muscle groups, and can help maintain weight. There is truth to the aging points as well, as the body does tend toward it's ultimate end if left to it's own. My swimming helps with overall weight and health maintenance, and it is my preferred sport over my lifetime. I liked the comment on "mixing it up" and have heard that using different activities helps keep the muscles "confused" enough that you never end up in a total rut, and you are then constantly retoning other muscle types/groups. Anyone else have this experience that could add to this discussion?

RE: Does swimming help you loose weight and get in shape.

Former Member — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 08:04:25 GMT

Sorry. I hate the very mention of the word Vegas. I can't imagine why anyone would want to vacation there. Just my view of course. Have fun being 39 forever. :thhbbb: I've been to Vegas. Hated it. I guess the only reason to go is (as the commercial says) what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.:censor: That whole Family Friendly Vegas thing died a quick death.

RE: Does swimming help you loose weight and get in shape.

Former Member — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 07:34:49 GMT

You shoulda used a winky thing. You're not even in your 40s yet. Just wait, Stud. Oooh why are we going to Vegas to celebrate? :thhbbb: I don't ever turn 40.

RE: Does swimming help you loose weight and get in shape.

Former Member — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 07:32:06 GMT

My metabolism doesn't slow down I don't get fatigued either...

RE: Does swimming help you loose weight and get in shape.

Former Member — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 07:25:12 GMT

I realized that at some point, air had calories. It comes with the beautiful wonders of aging. Remember getting old isn't for wimps, but it beats the alternative.:joker:

RE: Does swimming help you loose weight and get in shape.

Former Member — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 05:34:44 GMT

Sounds familiar...My racing weight was 165 in college ('78-'82.) I ballooned to 216 in September 2006 when I decided I needed to lose some serious weight -- plus my cholesterol was way out of whack.:doh: So I started to swim again mid September. I started with about 1K a day 4 days a week then got up to 4-5K 5 or 6 days a week in a couple of months. Counted calories and carbs too. My weight went down to 173...and well...I caught the swimming bug again and started swimming Masters in February. My weight mostly has been from 180 since. And my cholesterol was down 40 points -- and I'm getting retested next week.:party2: My motto...more calories out than in. No magic pills to help, either. Mark Racing weight was 177 in college in '84 Got up to 210 after 20 year layoff Started light weight training to get in general shape then slowly swimming - working up from 400 yards 1st day to 4000 at 9 months. In the first roughly 4 months I lost 25-29 lbs. Prior to this all I did was sit behind a desk with zero exercise. I was just trying to get into shape and not lose weight. I actually dramatically increased my food intake (especially after morning workout eating at least twice as much when I started doing "hard" workouts. I would say yes to your question "Does swimming help you loose weight and get in shape." BTW in HS I was eating an average of 7000 calories a day ( didn't include all the oreos and other great junk food) and could not gain weight.

RE: Does swimming help you loose weight and get in shape.

aztimm — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 04:06:07 GMT

I don't know...for me swimming alone just doesn't cut it. I was chatting with my coach last week about this very topic. He told me that since I've been swimming for a while (about 10 years of masters), and already in one of the faster lanes, doing distance sets, that at this point it would be difficult to get in better shape from swimming, without doing doubles or something drastic. I didn't swim competitively outside of masters. When I graduated from high school I weighed about 145. Went through Army basic training, and jumped to 165 (all upper body, went from M shirt to XL). Stayed pretty much there the whole time I was in the army. Got out of the army, and back in college, up a little (other than when I did a semester abroad, I lose weight when I travel). Has been as high as 195-200, as low as 170-175 over the past 10 years since I've been in the working world. About 2 years ago, I added in weight training, and about a year ago added in running/jogging 2-3 times a week. The running has kept my weight at a pretty steady 175-180. I have a very large variance between high/low for the day anyway, 5-8 pounds. What I do notice, along with weight and body fat (have a scale that supposedly measures it), is that I feel healthier and don't really get sick, or not as much as others. So if you haven't done any exercise, yes swimming is a great place to start. However, after a few years, your weight will plateau and you'll need to get creative if you want to keep progressing.

RE: Does swimming help you loose weight and get in shape.

The Fortress — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 03:43:27 GMT

Oooh why are we going to Vegas to celebrate? :thhbbb: I don't ever turn 40. Sorry. I hate the very mention of the word Vegas. I can't imagine why anyone would want to vacation there. Just my view of course. Have fun being 39 forever. :thhbbb:

RE: Does swimming help you loose weight and get in shape.

The Fortress — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 03:34:00 GMT

My metabolism doesn't slow down I don't get fatigued either... You shoulda used a winky thing. You're not even in your 40s yet. Just wait, Stud.

RE: Does swimming help you loose weight and get in shape.

The Fortress — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 03:31:22 GMT

I realized that at some point, air had calories. It comes with the beautiful wonders of aging. Remember getting old isn't for wimps, but it beats the alternative.:joker: This is true. As you get older, your metabolism just slows down. I seem to recall Paul Smith telling me that if you overtrain to compensate, that can slow your metabolism further. I think the easy answer to this question is yes. Of course swimming helps you lose weight and get in shape. But it depends on many factors including the length and intensity of your swimming workouts, your age, how much weight you've got to lose. I've gained weight since becoming a masters swimmer two years ago. Not sure if it's due to age or the type of exercise. Once you get to a reasonable weight, though, I'm not sure swimming alone will help you lose that last 5 pounds. I've also had trainers tell me that swimming causes your body to retain some fat. For me, I like to mix in weights, drylands and running or some other equivalent weight bearing exercise. I know quite a few women who just swim and don't lift (because of time constraints). I think they would be more successful losing the extra weight if they did something besides swimming. But that's just MHO. Now, I have to stop snacking late at night. But my Dracullina ways make it difficult.

RE: Does swimming help you loose weight and get in shape.

Former Member — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 14:41:35 GMT

Hi all I just recently discovered a love for swimming and would like to know if its a good way to get in shape. Oh and Im a newvy at this so if anyone has aim or yahoo messenger and would like to help me out let me know! It works for me...right up until I get home after swimming and eat 3 or 4 big cookies...mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

RE: Does swimming help you loose weight and get in shape.

Former Member — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 12:21:49 GMT

Wow! I'm not alone! For some reason when I hit 35 I just started packing on the pounds--think it was work-stress related/poor nutrition/divorce. Anyway, have hit my heaviest now near 200lbs. Got back into swimming at the beginning of the year after trying a lot of other things including eating better, yoga, and a whole year of Poekoelan Tjimindi Tulen (a very physically active martial art) with no reduction of weight. Figure it will take some time and more effort. Still having an up and down battle with soda pop. Some times less than once a week. Other times 3-4 times a week. Have to say that I didn't realize how much I had missed swimming (22 year break). I get so excited about swimming the night before I can hardly sleep. Good to feel like a kid again. As swimshark said some bodies like swimming. I guess mine loves it!

RE: Does swimming help you loose weight and get in shape.

A.K. — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 10:10:02 GMT

Racing weight was 177 in college in '84 Got up to 210 after 20 year layoff Started light weight training to get in general shape then slowly swimming - working up from 400 yards 1st day to 4000 at 9 months. In the first roughly 4 months I lost 25-29 lbs. Prior to this all I did was sit behind a desk with zero exercise. I was just trying to get into shape and not lose weight. I actually dramatically increased my food intake (especially after morning workout eating at least twice as much when I started doing "hard" workouts. I would say yes to your question "Does swimming help you loose weight and get in shape." BTW in HS I was eating an average of 7000 calories a day ( didn't include all the oreos and other great junk food) and could not gain weight.

RE: Does swimming help you loose weight and get in shape.

swimshark — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 07:06:34 GMT

I was diagnoesd with thyroid issues in 1996. I went hypo soon after and gained a lot of weight. I was up to about 162 at my peak. I was lifting weights, doing cadrio (step, treadmill, etc) 3 times a week and ballet once a week. Nothing was working.I got back into swimming after a 10 year break and within 8 months had lost over 30 lbs. One thing that did help was my coach at the time telling me to eat only fruit for the first 4 hours I was a awake. I think that helped my weight loss. I have stince stopped that but have maintained my lower weight for over 9 years now. I believe that everyones bodies have exercise that they like. For me it's swimming, some bodies might like jogging, etc. Find what your body likes and that will be the key. Good luck and welcome to swimming! Alison

RE: Does swimming help you loose weight and get in shape.

Former Member — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 12:29:30 GMT

I'm 43, started losing weight a year ago and swimming 9 months ago. Went from 195 to 165 thru nutritional monitoring and swimming. Lower blood pressure too. I'd like to end up around 145/150. Good resources: Dieting for Dummies (commonsense nutrition) and www.nutritiondata.com (great tool for monitoring nutritional intake - customizable for homemade recipes) Good luck and PM me if you want to talk more. I'm glad you've found swimming. I love it.

RE: Does swimming help you loose weight and get in shape.

Former Member — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 08:03:31 GMT

From 184 to 164 in a year and a half. Now at college weight and fitness. Michael age 47 :banana:

RE: Does swimming help you loose weight and get in shape.

Donna — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 02:51:38 GMT

If you are consistant with your workouts and monitoring your diet you should be able to loose weight. I have been able to go from 220 lbs (3 years ago) to 177 now, I had been as low as 173 about 6 weeks ago but I lost it too fast so I needed to add a few pounds before Nationals to keep up my energy. I am still in the process of loosing additional weight. My goal for the end of the summer is between 165-168 and by 2008 short course nationals 150. Swimming is a great low impact aerobic activity, and for the first 2 years that is all I did. But to jump start my weight lose this year I had to add some weightlifting, jogging (I won't call what I do a run) and cycling to the mix as well as eating a minimum of 6 meals per day (not big ones). Shake up your metabolism. You can do it :cheerleader: Donna