I'm new, just curious...

Jamie, I think you are more likely to get responses from people who are more or less proud of and/or at peace with their body types. The nice thing about swimming is that weight is less of an issue than many other sports, and the health and psychological benefits don't depend on competitive glory but just from going to practice until it becomes habitual. I think the jury is out in terms of swimming and other sports, in fact, in terms of weight loss. Some people appear to be exercise responders, some people are diet responders, some have a tough time no matter what they do. There was a great NOVA on PBS recently about marathon training for an assortment of people with different health conditions, and it did touch a little bit on the whole business of weight control. Sorry, I don't mean to get off on too much of a tangent here. I guess all I am trying to say is that no matter what your current condition, you should definitely consider swimming. If you were a competitive softball player at one point, I suspect you will quickly get hooked on competing at meets, and have a great time doing so. One thing that is amazing is that some of the fastest swimmers at nationals, etc. have body types you would never imagine would be particularly fast. And the converse is true as well: Olympic God-like replicants can often be surprisingly slow. To answer your question, I am 55, down 1/16h on an inch in height from college, and not pregnant though I am often thought to be in such a condition when wearing a body suit and people are standing too far away to see that I am bald and covered with a carpet of chestal hairs fast turning white. If you ever come to a meet where I am also participating, and you are feeling at all self conscious about any bodily matters, feel free to stand in my potbellied shadow and I will gladly distract attention. Do swim!!! Thanks Jim!! I swam competitively about 15 years ago when I was younger, and the Masters at our pool were mostly 50-70 years of age. I was just wondering where everyone stood as far as age and shape. I was really just "sizing up" my possible future competition. ;) At any rate, I have no problem putting my butt in a swim suit and hitting the pool. I know what my capabilities are, and I know that aside from being overweight, I can still get up and go for a "big girl." Of course as I woman I have bodily issues, but those are normal for every woman. I'm just ready to compete again already!!!!!

Jamie, I think you are more likely to get responses from people who are more or less proud of and/or at peace with their body types. The nice thing about swimming is that weight is less of an issue than many other sports, and the health and psychological benefits don't depend on competitive glory but just from going to practice until it becomes habitual. I think the jury is out in terms of swimming and other sports, in fact, in terms of weight loss. Some people appear to be exercise responders, some people are diet responders, some have a tough time no matter what they do. There was a great NOVA on PBS recently about marathon training for an assortment of people with different health conditions, and it did touch a little bit on the whole business of weight control. Sorry, I don't mean to get off on too much of a tangent here. I guess all I am trying to say is that no matter what your current condition, you should definitely consider swimming. If you were a competitive softball player at one point, I suspect you will quickly get hooked on competing at meets, and have a great time doing so. One thing that is amazing is that some of the fastest swimmers at nationals, etc. have body types you would never imagine would be particularly fast. And the converse is true as well: Olympic God-like replicants can often be surprisingly slow. To answer your question, I am 55, down 1/16h on an inch in height from college, and not pregnant though I am often thought to be in such a condition when wearing a body suit and people are standing too far away to see that I am bald and covered with a carpet of chestal hairs fast turning white. If you ever come to a meet where I am also participating, and you are feeling at all self conscious about any bodily matters, feel free to stand in my potbellied shadow and I will gladly distract attention. Do swim!!! Thanks Jim!! I swam competitively about 15 years ago when I was younger, and the Masters at our pool were mostly 50-70 years of age. I was just wondering where everyone stood as far as age and shape. I was really just "sizing up" my possible future competition. ;) At any rate, I have no problem putting my butt in a swim suit and hitting the pool. I know what my capabilities are, and I know that aside from being overweight, I can still get up and go for a "big girl." Of course as I woman I have bodily issues, but those are normal for every woman. I'm just ready to compete again already!!!!!