What things have you been forced to give up to swim?
Former Member
Since most of us have limited time we have had to make some sacrifices. For me it is: Golf and a clean house.
I love golf but haven't played at all in two years and maybe 10 times in the last seven. My wife and I both work full time and have two small children, so it's hard for me to justify spending six hours on a weekend to play golf.
It stresses me out to have a messy house but there just isn't any time in the day, unless I gave up the remainder of my free time at the end of the night but I'm too exhausted and stressed. I'll watch the game (the one thing I haven't given up - thank god for the DVR!) and leave dirty dishes in the sink. Actually not sure if I would have more energy for this if I didn't swim but I would surely have more time.
For me, it's more of what do I get back because I swim. Two years ago, I was spending a day or two a month in bed with back pain from arthritis. I couldn't pick up my children for fear it would be the tweak that threw my back out yet again. The arthritis never goes away but since swimming regularly about 90 minutes a day, the pain is mostly gone. I can lift heavy objects (and squirming children) without fear of ending up in bed for the rest of the day. No doubt, I'm sleepy at 9:00 PM because I wake up at 4:45 AM to get to the pool when it opens. That doesn't mix well with my wife who is a night owl. However, the alternative was far worse.
I did sacrifice one thing before my last meet. I decided to grow my nails out in hopes it would give me a little extra speed. That made it difficult to play guitar until I trimmed them again. So, for about two weeks I put the guitar down. I don't think I'll be doing that again.
For me, it's more of what do I get back because I swim. Two years ago, I was spending a day or two a month in bed with back pain from arthritis. I couldn't pick up my children for fear it would be the tweak that threw my back out yet again. The arthritis never goes away but since swimming regularly about 90 minutes a day, the pain is mostly gone. I can lift heavy objects (and squirming children) without fear of ending up in bed for the rest of the day. No doubt, I'm sleepy at 9:00 PM because I wake up at 4:45 AM to get to the pool when it opens. That doesn't mix well with my wife who is a night owl. However, the alternative was far worse.
I did sacrifice one thing before my last meet. I decided to grow my nails out in hopes it would give me a little extra speed. That made it difficult to play guitar until I trimmed them again. So, for about two weeks I put the guitar down. I don't think I'll be doing that again.
