I'm new, just curious...

RE: I'm new, just curious...

Former Member — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 14:24:47 GMT

I'm new, too. Is there a thread to introduce ourselves?

RE: I'm new, just curious...

Former Member — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 16:19:17 GMT

I would also recommend participating in the 2008 Go the Distance USMS event. It is a great motivator and great fun to see how far you've come over the space of a year. Edit: I agree with Jim T, that you may not be getting a complete picture of shapes and sizes here. I'm not happy with my weight (working on losing some) and won't be sharing the raw numbers on a public forum!

RE: I'm new, just curious...

Former Member — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 16:05:34 GMT

Male, 45, 5' 11" 165 lbs. I swim M, W, F 2500 - 3500 followed by 20 mile bike ride T, Th is a 6 mile run (Tue speed, Th tempo) followed by weights Sat is a long run Sun is an easy long bike ride or off I started swimming Oct 2005, I was 185 lbs. I eat what ever I want; except for sweets, I don't like them. Jamie: just remember it takes time and to have fun along the way. I believe running drops the weight fastest but I love the feeling of being in the water. Its still new to me and I have a long way to go to get better, but I love the challange. Good Luck, Bill

RE: I'm new, just curious...

FindingMyInnerFish — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 11:43:12 GMT

Female, 57y.o., 5'9" abt. 147 (130something in my early 40s...dang, what happened!?... oh, right...see below), run 4-5 days/wk. from 40-60 mins., including interval and hill workouts, currently but run longer during racing season... plan to start ramping up again for a half marathon in March; swim 2-3 days/week, 3 preferably, but schedule gets crazy... yards are pretty light right now but reached a high of over 9000 this past year while training for a 5.25 mile open water swim (also swam more days per week while training for that swim). Swim with a masters' group once a week and on my own otherwise. I don't diet in any serious way, although I try to get a variety of foods, including veggies. Goal is to be more conscientious about this: no, FMIF, you can't count the raspberry in chocolate raspberry coffee as a fruit serving. :D

RE: I'm new, just curious...

Former Member — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 08:01:52 GMT

...Of course as I woman I have bodily issues, but those are normal for every woman. I'm just ready to compete again already!!!!! I'm inclined to think that these issues are normal only in our culture. Still, the best cure for feeling self-conscious about your body is to put on a swimsuit some 200 to 350 times a year and just... go swimming.

RE: I'm new, just curious...

Former Member — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 17:08:45 GMT

21 yo female 5'3" 150 lbs my weight and height puts me according to the BMI charts in the overweight category--bordering on obese actually. But in actuality I only have between 17-19% body fat which is bordering more on the underweight/unhealthy for females. I hate the stupid BMI calculator. (my resting blood pressure is 60/50 or lower occasionally and it takes an awful lot to get it over 140 no matter what im doing...) swim 6x a week at least 6,000yards a day weight lift 3 days a week dryland at least 2 days a week occasional run here and there size 6/7jean waist but have to wear size 10/11 pants because of my "thunder" thighs:laugh2:

RE: I'm new, just curious...

aztimm — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 10:43:51 GMT

Male, 38, 5'11", weigh between 175 and 185 (varies by time of day, what I've done, what I've eaten) Swim with a masters team, about 5x week, 2500 to 4000 yds each Run about 3x week, about 20-25 miles/week Lift weights about 2x week When I was just swimming, my weight flirted with 200, since I've added in the other stuff, I'm about 20 lbs less. My blood pressure has also come down significantly. Running has been the biggest factor in keeping weight off. In summer, it isn't uncommon for my weight to get to 170. Have a scale at home that supposedly measures % of body fat, it varies from 16 to 20%.

RE: I'm new, just curious...

Former Member — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 10:30:47 GMT

I'm 46 -female 127 on good days 130 on bad - currently on the bad side -too many sweets at Christmas, not enough swimming. Since getting back to swimming now 1year 1/2 lost 0 - 3lbs weight but lost 3 pant sizes. Down to a size 6 I've increased my carbs... read that swimmers need more carbs... been watching portion control and fats. You may want to looking the carb thing.... I've been eating alot of cranraisins for snack specially before practice they are 11% carbs - 0 fat I swim 3x week - avg 2100 - 3000 per swim.

RE: I'm new, just curious...

Former Member — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 10:12:01 GMT

Male, 6 foot even, 203 lbs. I swim 6 x 2500 m, started lifting a month ago 4 x a week, stretching and flexibility work every day (not ever enough of this for me :sad: for a bad back). Great responses Jim! I started from ZERO just exercise swimming laps two years ago and lost zero weight even though I swam up to 6-7 days a week, just laps that is. I changed my diet, started to swim masters early this year, and bam, 34 lbs less :groovy: I still have 20 to lose though ....I feel for you Jim; my lowest moment this year was when after an open water race in September one of the competitors didn't think I was a swimmer - guess I didn't look the part yet :cry: )

RE: I'm new, just curious...

Former Member — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 09:37:51 GMT

You identify yourself as a Coastie wife. Has your husband ever done training at Cape Disappointment in Washington? I wrote a story for National Geographic Adventure on the "practically unsinkable" motor life boats they have out there--extremely nice folks, and a great experience for me to bob about in my borrowed survival suit in 20 foot standing waves! HAHA!! No, he's never been there. He's been stationed in Key West and now in Savannah. We are hoping to get back to Florida. Neither of us have ANY desire to be stationed up north. But those boats sure are interesting to ride in, and they are fast!!

RE: I'm new, just curious...

Former Member — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 08:20:45 GMT

I figured I would swim and do elliptical, and I am working on my eating. I'm trying to stick with protein, fruit and veggies, and minimize my carb intake. I have noticed a difference in a week and I feel great. It is such a great motivation tool to have everyone on here be so positive. Thank you for your comments!! Swim on!!:cheerleader:

RE: I'm new, just curious...

Former Member — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 07:33:07 GMT

i'm 5'7", 155, up from 140 just barely 2 months ago, yikes! my body has added a layer of fat to take the place of a wetsuit (a pretty thick wetsuit!). everyone's body is different, but in my experience, swimming does not help me lose weight. at least not the type of swimming i do (slow, long distance swimming). for that i need to do something higher impact, like running.

RE: I'm new, just curious...

Former Member — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 06:09:07 GMT

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!!!!!

RE: I'm new, just curious...

dorothyrde — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 05:44:51 GMT

46 female, 5-4(well almost), 137 on good days, size 32 suit, size 4's and 6's. Was size 14-16 and 180 in 2000.

RE: I'm new, just curious...

Dan Kornblatt — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 05:26:14 GMT

A few years ago there was much discussion as to swimming being a good exercise to loose weight. There was much written with alot of pros and cons. The cold water fostered voracious appetites so there was no weight loss; the cold water and the exercise burned alot of calories so there was alot of weight loss etc. As a local club President I have seen many Masters Swimmers over the years have varied sucess with weight loss but more importantly all have felt better and have alot more muscle tone than before they swam. Swimming places less importance on body weight than other forms of exercise so it truely is a sport for everyone. As I have often told many new swimmers who call to inquire about our program: Get in the water. Try it for a few weeks for free. Than make up your mind about Masters Swimming. Dan

RE: I'm new, just curious...

jim thornton — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 03:38:43 GMT

RE: I'm new, just curious...

knelson — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 02:11:56 GMT

Oh what I would give to be 30 lbs lighter!! Let's keep our fingers crossed!! There's no luck involved. Just do it! Your body will thank you for it. :) p.s. Jim's list, above, is a little deceptive. Those top six ladies are all U of Washington varsity swimmers, not USMS swimmers. However, it's still very early in the short course season. There will be some legit masters swimmers putting up times comparable to those over the next few months.

RE: I'm new, just curious...

jim thornton — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 01:18:59 GMT

Excellent! Since you're 21, your competition now is going to be hard--but not nearly as hard in the age groups above you (then it levels off a tiny bit when you reach dotage like me.) Check out http://www.usms.org/comp/tt/ for what the very best masters swimmers are doing in your events. A little less depressing is the ongoing Top Times for the year, which tend to include meets that aren't as competitive as nationals: http://www.usms.org/comp/tt/ For the 100 yard free, for example, so far this year the top 20 swims reported to Top Times are: Rank ---------Name-------- Age --TIME-- P/F TEAM----MEET---- ---DATE--- 1 JASMER, KIM 20 53.26Y F UW[] 070909CVWS 2007-09-09 2 SHARP, LINDSAY 20 54.14Y F UW[] 070909CVWS 2007-09-09 3 JENNINGS, EMILEE 18 54.45Y F UW[] 070909CVWS 2007-09-09 4 CAMPBELL, ERIN 19 55.80Y F UW[] 070909CVWS 2007-09-09 5 CORCORAN, KELLY 21 55.89Y F UW[] 070909CVWS 2007-09-09 6 SEELEY, RACHEL 21 56.54Y F UW[] 070909CVWS 2007-09-09 7 LONSDORF, JENNY 22 58.29Y F UNAT[] 071014BROY 2007-10-14 8 BONNEY, ERIN 24 58.82Y F NCMS 070916BARY 2007-09-15 9 BROWN, RACHEL 24 59.11Y F FXCM 071028PATY 2007-10-28 10 DRUSKINIS, STEPHANIE 24 1:00.85Y F MICH 071021WODY 2007-10-21 11 STEWART, KATIE 19 1:02.22Y F UNAT[] 071014BROY 2007-10-14 12 VAUGHAN, MARYANN 20 1:07.29Y F JBMS 071118TRKY 2007-11-18 13 SLOAN, AUDREY 20 1:07.58Y F MICH 071021WODY 2007-10-21 14 FINLEY, KATRINA 22 1:07.80Y F MCM 071111CNKY 2007-11-11 15 BELLOWS, CODY 20 1:09.52Y F AMS 070916BARY 2007-09-15 16 TURNBLOM, JERALYN 20 1:13.31Y F UTAH 071110DACY 2007-11-09 17 SCHIECK, LAUREN 23 1:14.34Y F NIAG 071104RITY 2007-11-04 18 KUSCHEL, KATIE 18 1:14.64Y F MICH 071021WODY 2007-10-21 19 GRIMM, JENNI 19 1:20.70Y F UTAH 071110DACY 2007-11-09 20 FROH, ALLISON 18 1:23.40Y F UTAH 071110DACY 2007-11-09

RE: I'm new, just curious...

Former Member — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 16:11:51 GMT

47 years old male 155 5'7" Swim 3-4 times per week. 2000-3000 yds Lift 2 times a week. Weight creeps up if I do not bike in the summer. Running drops the pounds but I hurt all the time. Like where I am at. Spudfin

RE: I'm new, just curious...

Former Member — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 14:55:56 GMT

Oh what I would give to be 30 lbs lighter!! Let's keep our fingers crossed!! i think the big thing for me was that i didn't go from doing nothing to swimming a lot, i just switched from land to water, so i never expected a huge or even significant drop in weight, but a little something would have been nice recently i decided to go all out and see how much my body can handle and joining a lap club to keep track of days and yards has helped motivate me,but i'm sure i will have to work at this pace for a while to see some results worth mentioning

RE: I'm new, just curious...

Former Member — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 13:56:41 GMT

56 years old. 220 lbs 6 feet. (male) Swimming at least 2,000 meters 3Xweekly. I try and swim extra on other days. Been swimming for three years. My muscles are trimmer and harder, but my weight is constant. I will have to run or do weights next year, plus diet to get down to my 185-195 of ten years ago. It seems that unless you are grossly overweight, or do tons of yardage, swimming per se on the short range will not cut back weight. Every case is a different case, as you see from previous posters on this thread. I just want to get back to wearing 34 Levis...I am now wearing 36...billy fanstone

RE: I'm new, just curious...

Former Member — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 12:46:49 GMT

37 135 suit size 34 3 kids (8, 7, 6 years old) swim 5 days (everything else is just a game) bicycle some, golf & tennis sometimes

RE: I'm new, just curious...

Former Member — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 11:59:16 GMT

Female, despite my user name 35 years old 132 lbs 5'8" Size 4 Swim 6x/ week Min 4500 yds in 1.5 hrs Max Just under 9000 in 2.5 hrs Eat what I want

RE: I'm new, just curious...

jim thornton — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 11:32:28 GMT

RE: I'm new, just curious...

ande — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 10:18:11 GMT

male 44 6' 3 & 3/4" 215 swim 4 - 6 x per week 3,000 - 5,000 lift 2 - 3x per week