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.
Former Member
I can't eat 2 and a half ours before getting in the pool, so that's very much all I give up :), I would rather being in the pool than doing many other things so I don't feel life anything is really sacrified during that short time
20 pounds, lack of energy, clothes that are too big for me now
I can relate. I'm in search of all new clothes this season. Seems I've lost weight and none of my pants fit me now.
I give up tv watching time alone with my husband. I get up at 4am three mornings a week so I go to bed the night before at 8pm. But at 6:10, when practice is all over, it's so worth it.
I guess I could say sleep like others have, but, were I in a mood to create something out of nothing, I could just as easily blame my job or my kids forcing me to have to get up early (sacrificing sleep) to work out early in the morning! I don't see swimming as causing me to sacrifice anything; on the contrary, the list of benefits it provides me is enormous.
One of the things I've had to give up as a result of swimming is having working neural synapses in my brain for about two hours after workouts. My mind is slower than molasses during this period (and you can forget recall on people's names), but then it magically clears up and returns to its usual state after that recovery period. I just have to make sure I don't attempt any complicated physics during recovery.:doh:
High school football. It was the season before swim season and I couldn't risk injury. Swimming paid for college for me so it was way more important to be healthy for that than to screw around with football. Still can't help but wonder what it would've been like making a big hit as a linebacker or catch a game winning td. :)
Looking at the health of ex-football players, count yourself lucky. I also wanted to play in my youth, but I was this skinny kid who would have been broken in two. Luckily I found swimming and have no major problems through age 65.
