Hi all,
Between a lengthy bout of bronchitis, job changes and adjusting to new schedules, I haven't swam with any consistency in about a year. I'd like to get back into competition shape -- which entails losing about 15 pounds and gaining back the muscle I lost -- in time for a meet next March or April. Anyone else ever gone through this? How do you work back a schedule of swimming 1-1.5 hours a day and lifting three days a week without doing too much too quickly and burning out or injuring yourself (or giving up because you feel like you're so far away from "good shape"?) Any ideas of what sort of yardage/intervals to start with?
I appreciate the help -- I'm so ready to stop being a couch potato, but I'm not sure where to start.
Parents
Former Member
Finding my inner fish--
Thanks for the help! I was used to swimming 3000-4000 yards 4-5 times a week, so when I get back in, I'll try 1500 a few times a week. Having a hard time with motivation; that might come from training on my own, but at the same time, I don't want to have team members see how fat/slow I've become! Thanks again for the advice. I'm still just unsure what sort of a workout to start with -- long slow swims to improve my cardio or interval training. Any thoughts anyone?
My guess is that if you really ask yourself why you are procrastinating, it is because:
1. You are afraid of failure
2. If you can't swim in top form, you'd rather not swim at all.
Well, at least these are my two biggest road blocks when I've had to take an involuntary sabbatical.
When that happens, I play ACDC's song "Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution" - that is the song used for the Nike "Just Do It" commercial where there was alot of swimming shown. It really motivates me.
If that is not your style, another "mind" trick I play (and you'll see it in other posts) - tell yourself you are going to go swim and if you feel absolutely, positively horrible, you will cut the workout short. My guess is you'll feel a bit weak, but you will LOVE being back in the water.
Don't worry about yardage at first - if you need to take longer intervals, that is fine. Swim for at least 45 mins, put aim for 1 hour. Your yardage will increase naturally.
Remember, you can't overdo it if you are not doing anything! Go get 'em! :cheerleader:
Finding my inner fish--
Thanks for the help! I was used to swimming 3000-4000 yards 4-5 times a week, so when I get back in, I'll try 1500 a few times a week. Having a hard time with motivation; that might come from training on my own, but at the same time, I don't want to have team members see how fat/slow I've become! Thanks again for the advice. I'm still just unsure what sort of a workout to start with -- long slow swims to improve my cardio or interval training. Any thoughts anyone?
My guess is that if you really ask yourself why you are procrastinating, it is because:
1. You are afraid of failure
2. If you can't swim in top form, you'd rather not swim at all.
Well, at least these are my two biggest road blocks when I've had to take an involuntary sabbatical.
When that happens, I play ACDC's song "Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution" - that is the song used for the Nike "Just Do It" commercial where there was alot of swimming shown. It really motivates me.
If that is not your style, another "mind" trick I play (and you'll see it in other posts) - tell yourself you are going to go swim and if you feel absolutely, positively horrible, you will cut the workout short. My guess is you'll feel a bit weak, but you will LOVE being back in the water.
Don't worry about yardage at first - if you need to take longer intervals, that is fine. Swim for at least 45 mins, put aim for 1 hour. Your yardage will increase naturally.
Remember, you can't overdo it if you are not doing anything! Go get 'em! :cheerleader:
