What activity does every personal trainer tell you to do if you are injured/cross training/looking for a change up? Swimming. What activity does every pregnancy expert tell you is the best exercise for gestating moms? Swimming. What activity does my dear friend Dr. Jon – who is 70+ but looks like he’s 40 and acts like he’s 20 – swear by? Swimming (and some kind of crazy form of karate that I’m dying to try and yet also terrified of). And what have at least a dozen of you asked me at one point or another to do a Great Fitness Experiment on? Swimming.
I hate swimming.
Let’s get one thing straight: being raised by parents who consider swimming a life skill and not optional, swim lessons were mandatory all the way up to high school. I can swim. I can freestyle, back stroke, breast stroke and – the one I hate the least – side stroke just fine. I just don’t like to.
I know what you’re thinking – Charlotte’s body image issues rear their ugly head again! But, weirdly, that’s not my problem. First of all pregnancy gives me a pass on having a flat stomach and secondly the only people who swim at my Y during the time I’m there are the elderly and tiny tots. I’m fine with the whole swimsuit-in-public thing. So what’s my deal, then? Why aren’t I hopping gleefully into the water and letting the buoyancy cradle my baby and my soul?
1. I hate being cold. I’m so intolerant of cold that it’s become a running joke in our household. And to me anything short of a hot tub is considered cold. You know that feeling of first diving into a cold (okay, probably lukewarm) pool and slicing into the water? Some people love it. They think it’s refreshing or something. I hate it. I’m immediately freezing and then I’m so grouchy about being cold that the first twenty minutes of my workout are ruined by my crabbiness. And then? Once I’m done I have to reverse the process by leaving the now-warm pool (no, I didn’t pee in it) and facing the cold of the pool deck followed by the even colder locker room.
2. I hate being wet. I have really dry skin and the chlorine is like a chemical peel, especially on my face. I also just don’t enjoy the sensation of water on my skin. It irritates me. I haven’t taken a bath since I was 10 because I can’t stand sitting in water.
3. I feel like I can’t breathe. All pools have that layer of chlorinated warm moist air right above the water that unless you lift your head completely out of the water – like you are not supposed to unless you are a granny in a shower cap – you must inhale and exhale. I feel like I’m breathing through a damp rag.
4. I don’t like wet hair. Confession time: I only wash my hair twice a week. Oh, I shower every day (except when I don’t) but having very dry, very thin hair it actually works out better to not wash it every day. Honestly it styles better when it has 2-3 days of gym sweat build-up in it. When I do wash it, it’s a pain to do. I do not have wash-n-wear hair. It doesn’t dry straight or curly but must be coerced – with great heat – to do one or the other. However, if frizzy ever comes back in style I’m all set.
5. It’s such a production. You have to remember your suit and your goggles and a towel and extra clothes and a blow dryer and lotion and shampoo and flip flops and your arm wings (kidding!). It takes forever to get in the pool and twice as long to get out. Not to mention that you have to shave places that in a month or two I won’t even be able to see thanks to the belly. Why go through all that when you can just arrive and be sweating it out in a class (that doesn’t require a bikini wax) within 5 minutes?
6. You can’t talk. You guys know that my gym time is my social time. My head is a noisy place and scary things happen when I am left alone with it for too long. While you can swim with a friend, that’s really in name only as you won’t hear, see, or talk to them for the duration of your workout. I’m chatty; I’d miss my friends. Even if they were just in the next lane over.
7. I wear contacts. Without them I’m blind. (True story: when I was 16 I jumped on the back of a boy in the pool whom I thought was my brother – thanks to my seriously limited vision – only to realize my horrible mistake when he turned around with an indignant “Can I help you?”) Swimming + contacts = all kinds of problems.
Now that I’ve thoroughly depressed you, you may be wondering why I unleashed this torrent of whine on you. Here’s the thing: I want to want to swim. If that makes any sense. I want to like it! It’s such a great workout and I need a change right now and, well, I’m pregnant! So I’m turning to you guys – I know tons of you love to swim. Tell me about it! Help me turn my frown upside down and belly flop gloriously into the pool!
What’s great about swimming? Why do you like it? How have you overcome your challenges with swimming?
I'm 24 and actually just learned how to swim legitimate strokes this past winter – a classmate taught me. I grew up at the pool in the summer, but I came to a grad school that has a gorgeous pool and felt like a dumbass doggie-paddling around. Thus the swimming lessons. I don't know, for me, swimming's just a really nice change of pace from the cardio and classes. I find it relaxing and still a good workout. I definitely hear where you're coming from with all the extra stuff you have to bring, though!
I swam competitively for 13 years…and that moment of jumping in the pool honestly never gets better. I'm with you…it totally sucks! But what I've found that makes swimming easier (since I don't do it as my life anymore) is as follows:
1. Have a plan for a workout before you go. If you just jump in and try to figure something out, it'll be crazy.
2. If you want to be more social/have more space to breathe, try kicking with a kickboard or working on sculling (which works all sorts of crazy little muscles in your arms).
3. Try to cut down on prep work…keep all your stuff in one bag together and wear your suit under your clothes to the pool…that way there's less time in the locker room pre-swim.
4. Do it in the summer…winter swimming is just painful 😉
Hope that helped a little at least!
Agree with you on #1. I swam all last summer but one painfully cold session in the fall (the pool was heated but the evening air that awaited me above the surface was not) scared me away from the water for the past year. However, if you swim in a pool that neighbors a hot tub, your post-workout reward can involve bubbles and you're already suited up for it!
But in general, I find the sport is particularly effective for fitness because I need motivators to keep me going at anything for a whole hour and with swimming, if you stop, you drown.
Funny, I just had this conversation with my hair stylist today. And I agree with you on almost every point (except I don't wear contacts).
I agree with Kristin and did invest in some swimming lessons, which helped motivate me…for a while.
That said, I'm pretty much just honest with myself these days and don't plan swimming into my workout schedule. There are a lot of other things I can and would rather do for exercise, pregnant or not.
Oh man, I wish I had some good advice for you. But honestly? The only time I like being in the pool is when I can just sort of float there in the water. The minute I have to start actually SWIMMING, I hate it. ("Marco-Polo" doesn't count.) Plus I REFUSE to put my face in the water. A couple of near-drownings as a tot will freak you right the heck out.
Um. Yeah. So, no constructive input here. Sorry. 😛
Indoor swimming is the pits. I love swimming on a hot, hot day. Where you can sit in the sun, jump in the water to cool off, get out and you're dry in 2 minutes, and repeat. That is the way to do it. However, I loved my water aerobics class in college because my roommate and I did it in the deep end (only for the advanced people), and we couldn't stop laughing at how hard it was keep from drowning. So, I say water aerobics can still be fun and social.
I do like to swim, but the extra stuff to haul around is kind of a drag. Swimming is different, that's why I like it. Plus, I work different muscles then I do doing regular cardio workouts which is a nice change. I just wish they had a diving board. I'd be happy to swim laps with you anytime.
Well… I have to say that when I was pregnant with my daughter, swimming was the bestest thing ever because it was the only time I didn't feel 250 pounds! Of course, the pool was bathwaterish-temp, I didn't get my hair wet… we wore belts that kept us afloat and did things like running in the water, and used kickboards and stuff. So the contacts (which I wear also) were safe too. In fact besides the not liking wet, it didn't hit any of your dislikes! I did used to shower really really good to get rid of the chlorine and then pile on my lotion to feel all moisturized afterward too…
Maybe it depends on the type of swimming… I took a pre & Post-natal class… so they were geared towards other things than just doing laps… that helped a LOT.
This is so true! I understand your hatred of being cold. My whole fam has poor circulation, so being chilly comes naturally to me. I actually love Doha, Qatar (where I am right now) because it NEVER GETS COLD. I step outside and it's always at least in the very high 80s. How perfect?
In fact, back home I refused to swim for a lot of the same reasons. Such a process. All wet. Cold. Wet. Shower, more wet. Cold. Sticky, damp, not fun. But here I have the ocean, which is really a blessing. It's warm. The air is warm.
Mmm.
Maybe you should move near a beach? 😉
one time lifeguard here who never EVER swims for exercise.
sadly it is 100% the PRODUCTION aspect of it.
who has time for a whole "show" when I can jumprope for 10 minutes and theres no production necessary 🙂
What about aqua aerobics? Same benefits as swimming but in a class with other humans – so social – and less chance of wet hair? Either that, or look at a triathlon swimming class (again for the social and the structure) – I did one for a couple of weeks before realising that I was NEVER going to be a triathlete…
Some people are fish and some are not 🙂
I find swimming to be a very pleasant feeling activity. The water feels so good and soothing. It's an acquired "taste." with doing it, you will enjoy it more. A friend of mine just went through the same learning process, and now he looks forward to swimming 🙂
I had pretty much the same objections as you, but I started doing a really tough aqua aerobics class and it's transforming my body hand over fist. Since I'm already in the water anyway, I've started swimming. I do mostly backstroke, which doesn't interfere with my contact lenses.
To combat the cold I do a fifteen minute warm-up on the treadmill. It takes me 5 minutes to assemble everything I need for gym in the morning – most of the things stay in the bag. I have a plastic bag for the wet things and I hang them out the minute I get home.
I actually love being in the water every day, although I'm not so keen on the amount of chlorine they use!
I can't help you with tips…sorry! I just love the water. The silence…the calm. It's one of two times that I can be left alone with my thoughts and completely clear my mind. It's a weird comfort. Although, I only swim in pools now. Gross things are in lakes. Ewwe.
I don't like the cold water either. That's why I loved my last schools' pool…heated more than normal. Haven't found a more comfortable one except in Florida in the summer.
Nope. I hate it for all the same reasons you said. Plus I was awful at it and it hurt my shoulder and it made my hungry. Much like cooking, I want to like it, but I just don't.
I don't think you'll ever enjoy swimming unless you change your attitude. It's easy to find problems and dislikes with just about every kind of exercise. None of your objections seems like anything but an excuse to me.
For myself, I started swimming because I had a reason – I wanted to pass a swim test for becoming a scuba divemaster. I started enjoying swimming because I went to a coached swim. A coach set up workouts, and she tailored them for my level. The workout was my motivation, the other swimmers I talked to in the locker room provided social contact.
Not that anything I've written or others have written here will change your mind. YOU have to change your mind.
Put a thin layer of vaseline on your face before jumping in to stop the dryness.
Also, if you wet your hair pre-pool, and put a leave-in conditioner in, it'll minimize chlorine damage.
And you don't need to wash your hair every day, it depends on how oily it gets.
OMG DITTO EVERYTHING.
I hate swimming too!
I wear glasses (can't wear contacts; I have "ingrown eyelashes" or something and they have never felt comfortable…). I completely identify with the hate-being-cold thing because when I swam in high school (I don't even know why I did that… I really didn't like it) the season was during WINTER (in New jersey) and practices were from 10pm – 11:15pm and ITWOULDBE SO WETAND COLD driving home. UGH. Terrible.
The cold doesn't bother me. The extremely dry, itchy skin and the whole pack body cream, face cream, makeup remover, makeup, contacts, goggles, etc. and huge lack of Adult Lane swim times definitely make me slack at it. I love swimming if I can have a lane almost to myself (read: not packed, no kids, just quiet laps and not getting kicked in the face or bumped into by others). Never being sure of what to expect makes me resist showing up. Also, having recently moved to a new city, new pools give me the creeps (bacteria, warts, conditions of pool) and intimidate me more than a gym would. I definitely prefer lakes but there aren't any here.
I second Jess in that having a workout plan is much more motivating than just doing "laps" (i.e. 3000 meters: 400m front, 400 breast, 100 back, 100 flutter board (great for your legs!)… repeat 3 times)).
Take breaks. Chat near the wall in the shallow end (Just stay away from others still swimming).
See it as a form of active meditation. Focus on your breath. Focus on exhaling for 4-5-6-7-8 freestyle strokes before coming up for air. Alternate sides. Look into Total Immersion Swimming. I haven't tried it yet, but it seems more enjoyable and peaceful than simple drill strokes, like yoga for water. I know that after a swim session my posture has improved. The lengthening really feels good.
I don't hate swimming but I really don't like it. I kind of know how to swim…I could probably save my life if I had to swim in calm water.
But I hate the whole production and the extra time of getting in and out of a suit, goggles, getting wet…etc. Also the only times I have been swimming have been when I am seriously injured from running and am forced to pool jog in order to maintain fitness so I can somehow have a great come back just in time for nationals…
Anyway, I don't go very often, it doesn't seem to be a good work out for me. I might go for extra training in the summer when I'm doing lots of miles and want to get more training in by pool running, and I do love the coolness of the pool, and the non-impact of pool-running, and the feel of water massaging my muscles.
Maybe you should try pool running? Sure it involves a dorky water vest, but you're not easily embarrassed. You get to have your head well above water the whole time, so you can breath and talk…just an idea.
I can't swim in pools. They gross me out, and I can't breath. Do you have a lake near you that you could swim in? That would at least help with the breathing problem, and wouldn't dry your skin and hair out. Then you would just have to worry about pond slime and water snakes (kidding!)
I swim in the ocean and thankfully have a rather high tolerance for cold water.
My intolerance for cold also makes me not a huge fan of swimming. I'm not much of a water person. I was always really bad in swimming lessons but what gets to me the most is the cold… I hate being cold! Maybe we should invest in some wetsuits to keep the heat in.
I can't help you with how to like swimming because I feel the same way you do. I just don't like putting my face in the water and not being able to breathe properly. My daughters are big swimmers and I really wish I could swim like them.
If you do ever find a way to enjoy it, you can get goggles with your prescription. This had been mentioned to me (for my daughter) and I thought they would be hundreds of dollars. She was "blind" in the pool for a few years and then I was at a swim shop and saw them for $3 more than the regular goggles!!
I have to disagree that these are all just excuses. They all sound legit to me! If you despise something, there's usually a reason.
As far as the contacts-in-the-pool thing, I hear ya, sister! But I found a WONDERFUL invention at a sporting goods store: prescription-style swim goggles! You don't need a prescription, just match the number on the goggles to the prescription # on your contacts, and voila!
Also, have you tried a rash guard? It's a long-sleeved top made for protection from the sun, but also keeps you warmer in the water.
They also make headphones specifically for use in the pool, so you could listen to music while you swim.
Finally, someone mentioned aqua aerobics, which is really fun! I also, when I was pregnant, would get in the slow lane with the older ladies and do some aqua-jogging. It felt a little silly at first, but it really helped, especially in the second and third trimesters.
OMG, I am so with you! I grew up swimming & was really good at it but as an adult, well, for me, the hair!!!! I have frizzy, curly hair that is not wash & dry either. People think curly hair is wash & dry.. NOT! My curl is frizzy & you have to put it in place & spray it like a helmet cause the SLIGHTEST bit of moisture will make me look like I stuck my finger in a light socket!!! So, getting it wet means I have to be able to dry it right away! Like you, I try to wash it as few times as possible because it is a pain! PLUS, not fond of bathing suits!
I know at some point, swimming might be a must for me so maybe.. a wig!!!! 🙂
Have a good holiday!
omg.. i thought i was the only one who hated swimming. I 100% agree with all your reasons and I empathize. I also never swim.. i have two cute suits that haven't been worn in years.
I wish I could help you, but I also hate HATE HATE swimming. You forgot to mention the part about how vile it is to get water in your ears.
Never mind the swimming, I note a serious problem from reading this post.
Um, Charlotte? You hate cold and live… in a state that's freezing cold 78% of the year? Have you considered moving to Arizona?
P.S. I really wish one of those fashion icons would set a fashion for frizzy hair. I would love to have the In look for once.
I'm in the same boat as you! Literally!
I hate getting wet and all the prep in and out. The municipal pool in my town is a salt water pool though, so the chlorine issues (both the smell and the way it turns my blond hair green) are fixed. Usually once I'm in the pool (with much coercion from my boyfriend), I'm usually ok, but it's not on the top of my list of favourite activities. Plus I'm really really bad at swimming, so in my book it's not even a workout, more like just avoiding drowning. For some odd reason I really can't figure out, I'm convinced since I was a kid that when I'll die, I'll die drowning.
So ya, I have issues with swimming too.
Oh and I wear contacts too, and I can't see pass the end of my nose without them, no joke!
Have to say that I agree with you – I don't really like to swim. We even have a pool at home and my kids are always trying to get me in but I will not even enter unless it is 85 degrees or more. I am a decent swimmer but don’t love water in my face, I too wear contacts and hate post-swim hair (but have no problem with post-gym hair). I have tried to change, I have tried to get in but I am crabby and never have fun. Same with the ocean. We go to the beach each year and I rarely get more than my ankles wet. I so wish that I could be out there with them body surfing but hey, someone needs to man the camera –
You know, I had composed a much more eloquent response to this while I was watching my one-day-old son sleeping in the NICU because he decided to come seven-weeks-and-three-days-early, but for some reason my phone decided to not post my comment.
The highlights: I like swimming, and I prefer to do it alone because of the weightlessness, and it's the closest thing on this Earth to floating in open space that this sci-fi geek will (most likely) ever come. I believe I also said something about how it's peaceful once I quiet the voices in my head. It was funnier than this, but now I'm just tired and can't repeat it.
I completely agree with you here, I also hate swimming!
During my last pregnancy I joined a water aerobics class and actually liked it. Yes, I was the youngest in the class by 25 years, but it was a decent workout and I felt as light as a feather. Plus, the little old ladies were all so sweet to me!
With photos like that on your blog, no wonder you hate to swim!
How about you make a list of things you DO like about swimming. Once you find what "clicks" for your attitude change, there's no turning back.
I learned how to swim 4 years ago from little pencil diagrams on the web (days before everything was on YouTube), and I still get goosebumps when I see a pool I'm so excited to dive in.
When pregnant, I wear short shorts, like used-to-be-baggy soccer shorts, or my husband's board shorts, and a maternity tank/cami. No shaving north of, you know. My friend gets a bikini wax at 7mos and 9mos right before delivery so she can still swim.
You can get prescription goggles, seriously.
Have
a
PLAN
You don't just run on the treadmill until you feel like you're done. You set a goal and dial in a program. Personally, I sprint a 200m IM: back, fly, breast, free, with the proper turns and streamlines, then just do whatever for a few more cool-down laps. Sometimes I'll do 2 100m IM's, or one day of all one stroke. You know, mix it up like every other work out.
Hey, with this experiment vacation, this would be a good one. Get a swimming work out program from your "favorite" fitness magazine. Or if you don't want to be bored get one from a hard-core swim trainer, and report back to us at the end of the month!
6. You can't talk. -> I agree! Swimming is too quiet a sport lol! But yeah, I swim because it's good for my scoliosis.
I also hate being cold, but I warm up fast in the pool when I go at a good pace. Fear of cold = good motivation to swim fast! And having a workout plan is key. Just swimming at the same pace continuous is way too boring!
The main reason I like swimming is that it's a full body workout. As a runner, I love the way I feel when my arms get a workout instead of just my legs. And I love how my shoulders look since I started swimming often.
Also, it's pretty much impossible to injury yourself swimming. I mean, maybe its possible, but you won't sprain your ankle, get shin splits, stress fractures, etc…
But if swimming just really doesn't make you happy, then don't force yourself to like it! Try getting a road bike or something…
Best thing about swimming…you won't break a sweat 😉
Don't look to me for help – I hate swimming, too!
And for most of the reasons you mention – feel like I can't breath, hate the cold, wear contact lenses, etc.
The only difference is that I like to take a bath in my jacuzzi tub which is almost big enough to swim in (if I were a little smaller. Okay, a lot smaller – like, a five-year old!)
Here's the deal. Two things: 1) If you're gonna swim, ya gotta swim LONG. 20 minutes isn't enough to get in your groove. Swim for an hour or longer (you can do it!).. the lull of the water and your breathing puts you in a zen like state but only if 2) don't swim next to the splashing, yelling kids.. cuz if you do, your zen state is shot all to Hades. Oh, one more thing – drop by the hot tub when your done or the steam room for more solitary relaxation… ahhhhh I feel better already!
sign up for a triathlon! then you'll have to work at swimming. it never gets easy but it does start sucking less…eventually!
I love swimming for recreation, but I agree, it usually doesn't work out for me exercise-wise. I spent one summer doing laps but I just haven't had a good pool to get in and try again.
I think for me it's about 80% the production of it (why go through all that when I can DDR almost nekkid or just head out my door slightly less nekkid and run), 10% the cold thing,if it's too cold I'll just never get warm (though I found a GREAT outdoor pool here temp-wise), and 10%…I just don't have access to a pool that's not pay-each-time and I'm cheap. I also just think – geez I wish I could just be diving instead, that's way more fun.
As for the contacts, I just swim with them in. I'm probably as blind or blinder than you so it's the only option. I've never had a problem with it.
And I'm with you on the hair washing, I'm about 2 times a week too, and I'm waiting for frizzy to come back into style. When I was springboard diving my hair just got crazy dry practicing 5 days a week, but I loved it so I dealt. My look is pretty much bedhead, with exceptions on days I'm feeling fancy with the straight iron.
No help here I'm sure. Good luck!
I think I need swim lessons. I grew up swimming in a river and without any real lessons. I find swimming so hard. I did take a swim class in college and I cannot even tread water (you people are using magic to do that). I can propel my body through water but a traditional swim stroke is loud and messy and I made up all of the others I use.
Dear Charlotte-
Swimming was a big part of my making that jump into young adulthood. I started late (at 13!) and was out swam every day at practice. I was not built to be a swimmer, except for my incredibly wide shoulders and impressive lower-body strength. I am built more like a gnome; a bit stumpy, but with a definite waist. Wide shoulders may be great, but the wide butt throws off the whole balance. Have you ever seen an oympic swimmer with a large waist-to-hips ratio? No.
Swimming also seems an odd choice, because I am known to friends and family as "the talker". I suppose it is true of any rigorous work-out, but it surprised friends and family that I should take to a sport where it would be difficult (if not life-threatening) to talk at almost any moment during the work-out.
I am also completely terrified of drowning. Most of my teammates, and family members do not know that to this day, I must chant to myself for at least the first 200 yards that I will certainly not drown, that someone would notice if I were to hit my head while executing a flip-turn (done it), or fall into the pool (also done that), or simply hyperventilate (also, a yes).
As a forgetful person, I was always showing up without a crucial piece of equipment. This may be why I have switched to running (other reasons listed below): shoes, relatively clean sport clothes, road. Done. I don't feel like toting a pool around on my back, in the event that I feel like having a swim.
Other reasons I swim less now are that the pools in my city (Hamburg, Germany) are primarily visited by elderly people who chat and float across the surface, leaving little room for anyone wanting to do laps. These lovely veterans of the battle of life also dictate the temperature of the pool and they have decided on a sweltering 85 degrees. I understand the cold = cranky, but at least I can swim that off. Swimming in bath water is, for me, like running in a sauna. Blech!
I think that swimming is a lot more to me than a sport. It was my home when other parts of my life were falling apart, inconsistent, unwelcoming. I turned to swimming as a way out of those things, I immersed myself in the water as if it were another world, suspending me, even craddling me. Of course, the extreme work-outs we girls endured (my coach told us plainly that he gave us the tougher workouts, because the boys simply didn't like doing them) were no picnic, and I have been told that fear showed immediately on my face when any kind of "8 500s on the 7:40, ready go!" or "36 50s descending by 5 seconds in groups of 4, starting on the minute fifteen!". Oh, God.
People at your heels, all the time you're wondering if they will swim over your floundering body…
And I wouldn't change it. I mean, I get out of the pool when it's obvious that people don't know or respect the rules of side-swimming or circle-swimming and have no problems smacking me in the face. But, those are seldom and I almost never had those when I lived in the States. I am looking forward to getting back into the cold pool, maybe I will go today!
All I can suggest is to take it as time for yourself. Consider that it is another way to champion your own life. That's how I went from running to lose weight or to get in shape for the swim season, to running for fun. (My first half marathon is in September!) Try an outdoor pool, they are usually more comfortable on those hot days in the summer.
And when you swim, you get that bonus of just lifting your legs and floating at the end of the workout. Bring along a chlorine rinse, ALWAYS get your body completly wet before jumping into the pool (that way your skin and hair won't soak up as much of the pool water), and always rinse after. I would even go for a de-cholrification treatment twice a year if you go regularly enough.
Good luck, and have fun!
I hate the smell of chlorine.
Wow, I always knew I didn't like to swim… I'm not good at it mind you, (and when it involves kids it's terrifying to me) but I couldn't exactly give solid reasons as to why. Thanks to you I feel I can justify my issues with swimming!! Sorry, I know that's not helpful, but I guess that at least we can hang out together by the side of the pool next time, instead of grudgingly doing the swimming thing with the whole fam!! 🙂 Excellent writing, you always make me smile!
I don't particularly like swimming either. Sigh.
What I've found that helps:
1) You could buy a waterproof mp3 player and listen to audiobooks while you swim. It shuts your mind up and makes it so much less tedious. The only problem with this is if you're going for distance it's all too easy to lose track of how many lengths you've gone.
2) I recently found an organic hair oil that you rub into your hair either pre- or post- swim. It cuts down on the drying, but it does make you smell a bit like a hippie.
3) Vaseline – lots of it. It helps with extremely dry skin. After every swim I feel like my face is trying to detach itself from my body.
4) Keep everything in one bag.
5) You could try open water swimming. It's a bit scary at first, but I find it much more enjoyable than swimming at the pool. The air is much less muggy and it's much more interesting. Unfortunately, it's colder.
Good luck. My only motivating factor to keep swimming is so I don't drown in my triathlons. But i guess since that's not really an issue for you, I don't know what else to say.
First: sign up for lessons. Swimming is a very social sport you chat a lot while waiting for your turn in the lane and the post swim locker room chat. My grandmother social life is built around her swimming friends.
2: swim in your contacts. It's find. Optometrists try to scare you off and sell you over priced prescription lenses.
3: It's called a Swimp3 player it will change your life.
4: Some pools use less chlorine then others. Find them! They are out there.
5: I often just rinse my short hair and don't do the full post swim wash. Its find and I find it add some texture to my fine locks.
6: there are swimsuits with a modest cute bottom also Triathlon suits are awesome!
7: figure out the best time for you to swim. I hate swimming at 6am or any morning time. My favourite time to swim is 8pm then I hit the hot tub and curl right into a very restful sleep.
8: I started to swim being tired of being afraid of water. 4 years later I did Ironman. Nothing compares to the feeling of getting out of the water race morning.
9: getting my butt kicked in the pool by a senior. Swimming is truly a lifelong activity!
10: suck it up
I agree with you!!! I WANT to like swimming…but its such an ordeal! Once I do it, I say I'm going to go once a week. So far, I've gone once in 2009.
I agree with you!!! I WANT to like swimming…but its such an ordeal! Once I do it, I say I'm going to go once a week. So far, I've gone once in 2009.
It looks like you have a lot of ideas already, I just wanted to second the fact that you can totally swim in your contacts. I not only swim in mine, I surf in mine and they stay in through me diving under waves and (alternately) having the waves slap me in the face. Seriously, they will stay in.
If you are worried, though, perhaps get some daily contacts so that if they do come out you haven't lost much.
– Yasmin
Charlotte,
Some people like to swim. Some people don't. You've got a mighty long list of things not to like about swimming. You do so many other wonderful things for your body, that it might just be OK for you to NOT like swimming. You get tons of exercise in other ways. Why beat yourself up for not liking swimming? I wish I liked to NOT drink a bunch of wine several nights a week but hey, life is what it is. Enjoy what you enjoy and what you are good at. And leave the rest. It's OK. 🙂
I love being wet, have no contacts, knew how to swim before I can walk, love just flipping around and playing in the water. However, I think swimming laps is as boring as boring gets. Now that I can fit into my bathing suit, I might consider doing it for 5 minutes or so at a time, just because you're not allowed in the pool unless you do laps. Next month I move somewhere with an ozone cleaned pool, the one near me now is so chlorinated that it burns my eyes to go in.
I enjoy the weighlessness, and the non-sweatiness of the workout. Definitely plan your workout ahead of time; you'll get the same sense of accomplishment when you swim a mile for the first time as you did from completing your first 5 or 10K. It's intimidating commenting on someone's blog who is a professional writing evaluator. I'll resist the urge to spell and grammar check.
Wow…I can identify with you on so many parts. And for the mostpart I avoid the Y pool in the winter because of the cold (even the indoor pool's water is chilled due to all the windows & the cold air drifting in). However it's summer right now, I'm training for a 3-Day Walk (that's 60 miles), and with such high training mileage, I have no other choice than to have totally non-impacting cross-training 2 days per week. Thus, I've just taken up swimming laps at the Y indoor pool.
As for contacts…I have them. I've lost countless contacts in various pools over the past 29 years of wearing them, and for now I'm swimming with my head above water, but will probably look into goggles…as much as I hate them.
I here you when you talk about washing your hair only twice per week. Mine's dry too, and in keeping it blonde, it's even dryer. I am looking into getting one of those corny caps to wear in the pool. I hate them too because they pull my hair so hard trying to get it all up in there, but I don't have the time to wash my hair every day.
And yup, I have dry skin too…but am planning for more lotion. I know for me right now this is a 3-month deal that I have to have for my training.
Wish me luck…and I'll wish you the same!!!
I can't help with this. I hate swimming for fitness too.
Hey, I know I'm late on this, but you can TOTALLY swim with contacts in. I swam competetively for 13 years, and got contacts when I was ELEVEN, and my eye doctor always told me that truthfully, it was fine. If you're wearing goggles and they fit properly, no water should get inside of them so it shouldn't be an issue. And if something happens and you do feel like you got chlorine in your eyes, just take your contacts out when you are done swimming and wear your glasses for a couple of hours. Then you should be fine. I never had a problem with it in the 10 years I swam with contacts in.
Also, I agree with other posters that it is good to have a plan. What I like to do when I swim is always go with a friend, have a plan of a certain amount of yards to swim normally, then kick with a kickboard for awhile, which is a great toning workout for your legs and lets you keep your head above water to chat. I have several friends who I catch up with almost exclusively in the pool!
Finally, I'll leave you with the main reason I love swimming – even though its a huge production at the beginning, few things make me feel so good AFTER – the water wakes you up (yes, even if it is cold), energizes you, and gives you the best endorphin rush (I can't run distances due to an injury, so thats how I get my fix!)
I've read some of your posts and there's much to which I can relate. I think, like me, that you have manic depressive illness (bipolar disorder). The depression, anxiety, racing thoughts, panic, etc. are a clue. I suffered with this for decades before finally figuring it out. I'm now on Prozac (to boost serotonin) and Zyprexa (to limit dopamine and act as a thermostat for my brain chemicals…bipolar people cannot just take SSRI's or they'll constantly be in a manic state). See what your psychiatrist says about Zyprexa…it immediately eliminates anxiety and has mood-enhancing qualities as well.
Anon – thanks for your concern! I've been evaluated by several psychologists and a psychiatrist and they did not think I was bipolar. I was however diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and OCD tendencies. I am on medication on and off for those things.
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