I just joined a swim club during the Thanksgiving holiday. Its been 35 years since I swam competitively in high school. When I started swimming again, I found this website and have lurked ever since.
I searched the net for info regarding weight loss through swimming and came up with conflicting views. So I decided to post my results in case anyone else had a similar interest.
After a month and a week of cutting out all sugar/salt/reducing portions, swimming 4 times a week for over an hour, coupled with 2-3 hours per week using core /upper body weight lifting; the results are good.
Weighing in at 208 @ 6'2" (in jammers) on the first day, I weighed in this morning at 192.5 lbs. The first few days I would die after about 600m. Now 2400m days are the norm and climbing every week. My pants are loose and my arms/shoulders are feeling the best they have in 15 years. My blood pressure has gone from 136/88 down to 114/77, so I'll get my doctor off my case.
We have our first meet Sunday and I'm pumped. It's fantastic to feel the difference in speed and endurance.
To pile on, being fat in swimming slows you down, too. Never mind the extra buoyancy, that is far outstripped by the induced drag of extra girth. I have been fighting with it for 20 years.
The great thing about swimming is that you can burn so much energy in training that you can eat a fairly open diet without worry. Just remember to stop eating when not hungry instead of absolutely side splitting full. That is my main problem, I love food. A lot.
To pile on, being fat in swimming slows you down, too. Never mind the extra buoyancy, that is far outstripped by the induced drag of extra girth. I have been fighting with it for 20 years.
The great thing about swimming is that you can burn so much energy in training that you can eat a fairly open diet without worry. Just remember to stop eating when not hungry instead of absolutely side splitting full. That is my main problem, I love food. A lot.
