Why non swimmers think their opinions matter?!

Ah Lbj You are funny. I dont know what Sheman looks like but I am guessing awesome. I am already 5 10 with large shoulders but I need to lose some pounds. Yes the thryoid is hard. I gained 25 pounds after two surgeries and RAI. It was hard. SO that is why I am so excited about the swimming. It will help I am sorry about your wife. I hope she is doing well. NOTHING like an illness to make you realize what you want out of life. Cheers Katie

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. 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. Katie Katie, I can't imagine what you are going through with your and your daughter's health problems. I had some terrible eye issues and I swam through the whole ordeal. Swimming saved my sanity (what little I have!) I had some docs tell me to quit swimming; had several misdiagnoses along with some old, antiquated surgeries which would have left facial scaring and required lots of down time (no exercise for months); finally I came across a guy who diagnosed me correctly and offered me a minimally invasive surgery and supported my swimming. There was a risk of blindness with this surgery, but swimming 2x a day helped keep me focused and positive during this terrible time of waiting to have the surgery. (That's how I got into swimming doubles! Now I'm hooked!) Anyway, I was very, very fortunate and it all worked out. But it was a life changing event. Swimming through it all kept me on track. My prayers go out to you and your daughter. I say, "Swim through it!" :cheerleader:

I think part of it is also that non-swimmers truly can't picture themselves mentally doing anything like what you are doing. It is human nature to condemn what we don't understand ourselves. I will admit fully when I hear about my friend who does ultrathoning and is entering a 50 mile trail run, my immediate first thought is "That's ****ing CRAZY!" Me of course being from the group of people for whom running is a torture only to be endured to improve my fitness for my swimming. Your point is great though - I don't actually tell my friend OUT LOUD I think running 50 miles straight is crazy - I just cheer her on! Some people really need to get a hobby. :p

I really thought most people would think it was wonderful. Boy I was wrong. Brian Tracy mentions this phenomena on his tape, "Maximum Achievement."

Thanks everyone for your stories and thoughts on this issue. It is really wonderful. As one person says " who cares and it should not matter what people think" I agree totally. I think I was just more surprised that people felt the way they did. Why should they care what I do. The human race is very very interesting:p. I guess it is a good thing we are all so different. Donna I thought that was great about eating a snickers bar in front of your co-workers as you are still losing weight. OH YEAH BRING ON THE CHOCOLATE. Though I need to incorporate better eating. That starts Tuesday. Last weekend was a huge wedding in Atlanta, this weekend is our Canadian Thanksgiving. I can tell I am losing inches as my pants fit better so that is awesome I will continue to swim and enjoy the benefits of weighloss, health and friendship. Cheers Katie

A great saying Always put off today, what you can do tomorrow. or is it? --------

... "What other people think about me is none of my business." some celebrity's grandmother used to say this. i believe i heard it from Sandra Bullock on the Tonight Show this past summer or spring. it has quickly become one of my favorites. interesting thread. i'm surprised at the percentages of naysayers. i agree with the "misery loves company" idea. and yes, it is definitely a case of those who exercise, and those who don't. "If you wanna do the dance, ya' gotta pay the band." the "magic pill" concept will be around as long the medical industry has the power they currently have. i'm seeing ads on tv now for Enbrel (w/ a price tag of $1,500/mo :-o ) to treat psoriasis. i have a rather severe case of that condition that i keep very much under control with AIM CWR (a natural product) for about $120/year! (or 150x cheaper.) boy do those tv ads make me squirm. The History of Medicine 2000 B.C. - Here, eat this root 1000 A.D. - That root is heathen. Here, say this prayer. 1850 A.D. - That prayer is superstition. Here, drink this potion. 1940 A.D. - That potion is snake oil. Here, swallow this pill. 1985 A.D. - That pill is ineffective. Here, take this antibiotic. 2000 A.D. - That antibiotic doesn't work anymore. Here, eat this root. i've gotten to a point in my life (less than 1 year shy of the half century mark) where i really only want to be around people who put as much (or more) energy into being healthy & fit as i do. (for those that think that is elitist i say 'tough', but my $ is on the bet that most folks who read this know what i'm talking about.) i see a lot of good bodies at the facility where i swim (they have a gym & stuff there too), and most of the folks at Contra Dance are fairly fit, but outside of that (as far as my daily routine goes)... forget it. even though this is a virtual community to me, i'd have to say that this forum has by far the greatest number of people who are already there (fit & healthy), or are serious and dedicated about making a positive change in their life's health. i reckon that is why i keep coming back. {applies index finger to temple} hummmmmm. and don't get me wrong, i don't think it is all about having a great looking body. i work hard to look fit because that is how i like to be and i like the compliments. but i get really stoked when i see folks show up on a regular basis at the pool that are obviously trying to loose weight and improve their health, and i'm disappointed when i stop seeing them. it is indeed a very tough row to hoe. it is easy to get in shape when you are already healthy and maybe 10-15# overweight, but if you have health issues it can take a phenomenal amount of inner strength and fortitude. regardless of how fast your are or how you look, the real winners are those that stick with it and do good for themselves (IMHO). i think "girls" who lift weights rock! it can get extreme, just check out Bev Francis in the movie Pumping Iron 2: The Women (the imdb link and user comments are handy too), which i found extremely interesting when i saw it shortly after its 1985 release. it has left a lasting impression on me, check it out. i've seen lots of articles stating that lifting weights (especially less weight w/ more reps) is especially good for you as you get older. why not make it a habit now?

i think "girls" who lift weights rock! it can get extreme, just check out Bev Francis in the movie Pumping Iron 2: The Women (the imdb link and user comments are handy too), which i found extremely interesting when i saw it shortly after its 1985 release. it has left a lasting impression on me, check it out. I agree. Unless the ladies are "juicing" then they get toned and shapely, not "musclebound." I used to think Bev was extreme, but compared to many of the IFBB pro female bodybuilders of today, she's just not as extreme. I always laugh when people think lifting weights will "bulk up" women. For a while my wife was interested in lifting, I got her to bench 135 for a couple of reps, and to my suprise, she still looked like a woman. As far as swimming or exercise goes, I believe most people who do it consistently do so because they enjoy it. Why is it that doing an activity, and wanting to improve at it, is seen as "odd"? Now here's a banana and a bouncy thing. :banana::bouncing:

Fort I hear ya on the wanting and loving to compete. I am hoping that once I am in better shape I start to enter a few meets. Meets can prove that your hard work has paid off or it can show you what you need to work on. It is all good. It is funny that as someone posted before that swimmers get little respect. YET everything you read states that swimming is one of the best forms of exercise there is. HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM . UM I to would not want to go to a wrestling or football practice LOL. WOW 48 States swim tour. LOL does that really exist ( okay don't forget I am your Canadian friend) Katie

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.