Hit the wall today in practice. Do you eat before you go.

Hi there I am not sure if they use that or not I have never heard of it before. I dont have a thyroid at all after two surgeris and radioactive iodine for thyroid cancer. So all I have is a litte miracle pill that I take everyday. Though I feel good the synthetic pill will never be as good as having a real working thyroid. Katie

Thanks Alison. Todays swim was much better. I was glad I went today. I thought about waiting until Monday and then I had thought forget it. I was thinking of swimming 2 mornings and 2 evenings. But now I am thinking of just the mornings. I really like the coach and then I am done for the day and there can be nooooooooo excuses Katie

Thanks Donna for all the great info. I had a little snack this morning before swimming and it was much much better. So now I know I need to do that. Thanks for being so honest about your weight and inches. I know for a fact that I will lose inches. I just hope some pounds go with it. I am definitley eating better than the summer. Summer is tough we have a pool and you seem to eat more junk and beverages than you do in the fall and winter. Even if the weight does not come off fast ( thyroid problems) I will be happy to see some toning happen. When did you start swimming? When did you notice the iches or body changes happen Thanks for the encouragement. I am pretty happy with myself today but sooooooooo happy I am not swimming until Monday Katie Hi Katie, I've been swimming for 50 years, but this last winter I made the commitment to a 20 mile swim in about a year from now. I really started "training" for this swim in May. Now that it is September, I am noticing my arms are even more defined, my triceps are noticeable, and my tummy and hips are slimming. It's also interesting that you said you eat more junk food in the summer; I am the opposite. I eat more heavy foods in the winter, or at least I used to because where I live it is sunshine and hot days the year around (except for Hurricane season). Also, since I am swimming so much now, my body does NOT crave sugar unless it is in fruit form. After a swim, I usually want fruit and cheese or fruit and bread. This combination helps me to recover well. And it's amazing that I now crave tons of salads with protein on the side. And I listen to this body of mine! donna

Donna Thanks for responding. That is awesome. You have done wonderful. What a lot of weight you have lost but I am sure the best thing is how you feel. Strong and powerful and in shape. It sure gives me hope. I am excited about my journey. I have to watch what I am eating as I find I am starving so I dont want to overeat. It is all a balance. Of course I want the weight off now LOL I am pleased to say I swam 4 times this week. I think I am doing pretty well. The coach told me today that I was doing well. To give it a month to 6 weeks and I would be keeping up with the majority for the drills. It is all good. I did not want to go today as yesterdays swim was so hard and I was exhausted. But I got up at 4:50 and hit the pool. Today was much better. So I am glad I did it. I am going to go for a bike ride tomorrow and Sunday. Just 5 k's but that is better than nothing Hey 3 strokes. Another Ontarian. I am swimming out of Guelph so we are pretty far apart from each other. Still good to meet you. Yes I want to know where to get the bars to. Katie

Congratulations on your commitment to physical fitness. I am one of those larger gals who swims piles and piles and I don't lose any weight, but I'll tell you why: I put the calories back. So, weightloss through swimming is absolutely a given if one monitors their food intake which I don't. However, because I normally swim 6 miles 4 or 5x week, my body is changing in appearance at a rapid rate. And I do hit the wall, usually at mile 3 or 4, but with pushing through it, mile 5 feels much better. I usually eat a yogurt, banana, and a little oatmeal before my long swims. But one thing I want to mention here is to always listen to your body's fatigue level. I can tell which days to take off of swimming and which ones I shouldn't. Training smart means staying safe with little downtime due to any injuries. And you are definitely exercising a whole lot. I commend you for that. I'll bet you already feel better. Donna

Thanks Donna for all the great info. I had a little snack this morning before swimming and it was much much better. So now I know I need to do that. Thanks for being so honest about your weight and inches. I know for a fact that I will lose inches. I just hope some pounds go with it. I am definitley eating better than the summer. Summer is tough we have a pool and you seem to eat more junk and beverages than you do in the fall and winter. Even if the weight does not come off fast ( thyroid problems) I will be happy to see some toning happen. When did you start swimming? When did you notice the iches or body changes happen Thanks for the encouragement. I am pretty happy with myself today but sooooooooo happy I am not swimming until Monday Katie

cathlaur Do they still use lugols solution of Iodine to activate the thyroid. Lugols is Aquius Iodine. It is was also used to give endurence to front running horses so they could finish their races.

Katie, on the days you swim, try to drink some chocolate milk after practice. It should help you later in the day. It takes me about 2 to 3 weeks to get used to the early mornings once I've had a break. Stick with it and you'll do great. Alison

Alison I dont love the morning swims yet. I am very tired and cranky by the end of the day. I know my body will get used to it. How long do you think it will take to adjust to it. I am up at 4:50 in the pool by 5:30 out at 6:45 and at work for 7:30 then home, kids house etc. BED by 9:30 10:00. So this is all new to me. I am exhausted today but I went for a 6k bike ride in the wind so that is good. Donna wow 20 mile swim. 50 years good for you. I swam til I was 19 then lifeguarded and taught lessons through University. Then I stopped. I have a pool at home and swim when we are away BUT NOT THE SAME THING. So heading back to the pool last week was tough emotionally to. I was really nervous. I am glad that is behind me so I can move forward.That is incredible that you are so committed to swimming. I bet you are changeing your body , more defined and trim. That is what really counts. Yup every summer I eat way more we have a pool, we go on vacation, and it is much more social. In the fall winter and spring I am in much more of a routine. The snow flies and people cacoon in their homes. I am hoping by Christmas to really notice a difference in inches and maybe a few pounds. I will keep you posted. Katie

Alison is right about the chocolate milk. It is very important to eat something within 20 min. of finishing your workout to repleniish muscle glycogen. A 4:1 carbs:protein is ideal.There are energy drinks with this ratio,but a study was done that chocolate milk was just as good and cheaper.