I'm new, just curious...

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:

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!!

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: )

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.

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%.

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:

...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.

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

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

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!