Im 20 years old, and I swam from 6th grade through my Junior year in High School. I am 5'7 and I used to weigh 120# when I was swimming. I just had a baby 4 months ago, and when I was pregnant life was an open buffet for me and I ballooned up to 190. Ive lost some weight and I am 159# right now- but Im still not happy with my body. I want to start swimming again because I love it and its just such a good workout- but I keep putting off going because I always will compare myself to my high school ability. I know it is silly- but I want to do well and get my butt in shape. Taking 4 years off was tough but I want to do it!! How much did you start swimming when you first went back to swim? I dont want to over do it- but I do want to get back in shape. Thankss!
Im 20 years old, and I swam from 6th grade through my Junior year in High School. I am 5'7 and I used to weigh 120# when I was swimming. I just had a baby 4 months ago, and when I was pregnant life was an open buffet for me and I ballooned up to 190. Ive lost some weight and I am 159# right now- but Im still not happy with my body. I want to start swimming again because I love it and its just such a good workout- but I keep putting off going because I always will compare myself to my high school ability. I know it is silly- but I want to do well and get my butt in shape. Taking 4 years off was tough but I want to do it!! How much did you start swimming when you first went back to swim? I dont want to over do it- but I do want to get back in shape. Thankss!
Welcome, Nell! I'm a bit older than you (55), but when I started swimming again 5 months ago, it had been over 30 years since I swam with a purpose. I weighed 188 at the beginning of November '09 and now weigh 165 (I'm also 5'7" -- I weighed 135 when I swam in high school).
I started with a Masters group at a local gym and could only manage 750 meters my first day; however, within a couple of weeks, I was regularly swimming 1800-2000 meters in an hour.
My best advice to you is to find a local Masters group/coach, and to take it slowly. Since you swam most of your young life, I think you will be amazed at how quickly you are able to get back into shape -- much faster than it took me, I'm sure.
I'm not able to swim anywhere near my high school times, but I am improving my speed as each month goes by. You, on the other hand, will most likely be able to get back to your high school times within a fairly short period of time.
Don't put it off any longer, just get out there and have fun! You'll be kicking butt in no time.
