Okay so compared to some of you I am barely wet or a swimmer yet,, but I have started swimming again back in Sept of this year and am going 4 mornings a week. I am pretty proud of myself and can see that this is something I am going to do for life. A. because I like it and B. because I have to for both my physical and mental health.
So as my friends and co-workers realize what I am doing I am surprised that 75% of them think I am crazy. Why would I do that? Getting up so early is dumb? I am never going to keep doing this. I am over 40 so I should be happy with who I am. OMG it makes me crazy:frustrated:. The other 25% might think the early morning practices are crazy but they think what I am doing is wonderful. ( though they would never do it :lmao:)
I just do not understand why people think they can tell me what they think especially when it is negative and really none of their business. My one girlfriend who is in kick A$$ shape said " they are jealous" they are used to seeing you how you are. To know that you are going to change your body and just be more mentally strong makes them realize that they are weak. I laughed but maybe she has a point.
Another wise friend said, " they have not gone through what you have in the past couple of years: Thryoid cancer and a daughter diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa ( degenerative eye disease) so they dont know that you need to do this for you.
I think there is a time in ones life to step it up and really enjoy and push yourself or stay the same and watch your body and mind start to deteriorate. I AM READY FOR CHANGE.
But I just wish people would stop giving me their 2 cents when I never asked for their opinions in the first place.
Please tell me this has happened to others, or I am just lucky to be surrounded by lots of would be Dr Phil's?
Katie
There's nothing wrong with self aggrandizement--when used in the sense of enhancement, rather than exaggeration.
What makes you think I would use it for "exaggeration?" I'm not sure I even understand what that means in this context.
I just flat out like to compete in meets, and I do it damn seldomly. I think they're fun. I like to race. And I can't train without them. I don't begrudge fitness swimmers. I applaud their efforts. But I think they or others should not criticize my desire to compete.
You appear to be picking a philosophical fight for some reason, whoever you are. Pffftttt....
The weightlifting issue with woman is interesting. I have lifted weights for several years. I work in a male dominated workplace and we have a workout room which is awesome. It has some cardio machines and tons of weights. NOTHING FOR LEGS mind you :doh:. The boys all want to look good up top and dont seem to care about their legs too much.GEESH.
I am a large boned woman at 5 10 ( huge shoulders) I am toned but overweight. I know underneath the flab is some great muscles. I have definition in my biceps and triceps. I think swimming will really help with that as my arms are often tired after a workout.
Toned woman look fabulous. Weight training is so important for our bone health as well. Now that I am swimming in the morning instead of the gym I have only been hitting the weights 1x a week so I am going to have to change that up somehow. I am just so darn tired LOL LOL
Scwids, good point about people thinking others are crazy. You triathaletes are crazy in my mind:wave:. So I guess you are right.
Perhaps the best thing to do is not worry about what anyone else says and just worry about what we think as individuals.
Cheers Katie
I need :coffee::coffee::coffee:
I actually hit harder now than I used to before I swam. I think the upper body muscles are stronger and that has translated to better hitting.
I hear you.
Just in the 4 weeks since I started swimming, I have noticed that my golf game has improved. I'm now a bit more accurate and about 5-6 yards longer now than I was a month ago. It's all about strengthening that core.
Paul
I actually hit harder now than I used to before I swam. I think the upper body muscles are stronger and that has translated to better hitting. Before I had to really rely on sprint speed to get base hits!
Of course now the only time I play is with the girls I coach.
And yes, coverage is good for the belly, one piece swim suits have always been a must for me! I have lost 3 inches on my waist since July, so I am shrinking!
Fortress...
My first time out this year I felt like I had to learn to run all of again. The jogging wasn't bad but my legs were a little wobbly the 1st fly ball I had to chase down. Then there was trying to throw the softball. Now that was a site. Trying to get the follow through and not release the ball above my head like my are was trying to enter the water on a freestyle stroke.
I have since put away my bat bag and am getting ready for a fun winter season of swimming. My 1st meet in is 2.5 weeks in Indianapolis.
It takes awhile for your legs to adapt to running. When I lay off the running during a taper or something and then start back, I have the total plods for awhile. But then it gets better. Running is a good endorphin boost and cross training for me.
Good luck at your meet!! Remember it is not self-aggrandizing or selfish to want to compete in meets and have fun. But so many just don't get that. Pfftttt..... to them.
...except the abs, when you lose weight at 46 all you get is wrinkled loose skin, sigh.
That's what clothes are for!! You just keep right on getting buff and lean. I'm glad you're getting some compliments!
I pretty much suck at softball ... and most ball sports. :notworthy: I seem to only excel in sports where you use just the body ... Weird.
You keep at it girls!
Hey, I am MUCH better at softball than swimming....but then, I am pretty darn good at softball.
Katie, work to get that weight off. I have gotten so many comments lately about how buff and lean I am getting and I must be doing different weight training now. I am not, but the fat over the muscles is going away, so they finally show....except the abs, when you lose weight at 46 all you get is wrinkled loose skin, sigh.
self-aggrandizement:
noun: The act or practice of enhancing or exaggerating one's own importance, power, or reputation
I'm not sure what he's driving at. :dunno:
What I was driving at was is nothing wrong with enhancing (aggrandizing) oneself's power, strength, or knowledge.
You are right SloSwim...
running foul poles in high school till you got sick was not fun. Those were the days that I wanted to be in the water. At that point swim practice seemed alot easier and more fun. I give all runners great respect because it is very disciplined to get out and just run for miles. My knees are too bad to do that, so my running is limited to 1 or 2 bases at a time and chasing balls in the outfield.
Swimmers are the most dedicated individuals to their sport. I argue this point all the time to "other sport" coaches. Noone goes through as much as swimmers do. Name another sport that does it pretty much deaf, half blind and almost nekked.
Some will never know, others will never see. - Ray Bussard
Cross country. Although, you're not quite as nekkid, you can't hear anything, there is no black line to follow so getting lost is always possible; you can't count laps so you have to feel your distance, and you never know where the finish is until you can finally see it; The race changes based on weather. Lap swimmers are in optimal conditions. X-Country can change during the race. There is wind, rain, hills, mud, sand, water and contact from other competitors. I'd see more broken bones at a X-Country meet than a football game.
And lastly, (I loved to say this to the "ball" players) My sport is your sport's punishment!
Honestly, I don't think you can compare them because the technical skill of swimming is so much bigger a part of the sport. Especially if you compare Sprints (running) to swimming; no skill at all. You either have fast twitch or you don't. Its all genetics.
