Swimming Laps- does it work?

ponyvillalobos

I did it. I bought a Speedo and am about to embark on what I hope to be a body transforming journey in the pool.

I am wondering if anybody here has had success with swimming for weight loss. I was an avid hiker but have had a crippling case of Plantar Fasciitis and literally unable to hike since December of 2015 and have put on about 15 lbs. Even simple activities like grocery shopping is a challenge because of the pain. I was cleared to do the elliptical but I feel like I am not getting enough from it because I can only stand on my foot for 30 minutes.

So how long should I start swimming for?
Do I just start swimming until I can't anymore?
How long did it take before you started to see your body change and how did it change?
Is it really a full body workout?

I wanna be swim fit!

Thanks, looking forward to hearing your responses.

LazSommer

Exercise does burn calories, yes.

queenliz99

Weight loss is created by being in a deficit and exercise is for health. Swimming sounds perfect for you. Plantar Fasciitis must suck.

goldthistime

Sounds like a great solution for cardio. Can you add any strength training to your routine too? Perhaps using machines at the gym to keep the weight off your feet.

G085H173

You will only lose weight by eating less calories than you use. Swimming is great for general fitness. I swim 2/3 times a week in Olympic size pool. Don't just go thrashing through the water, you'll get disenchanted. Concentrate on form/technique too. There's good YouTube vids for swimming technique. If you can, get a kick boArd and a figure 8 float gor between your legs. Use these to build power in your legs and arms, to concentrate on technique and work you like a you-know-what. You shouldn't leave the pool without at least a minor sweat on.

theresakruse48

I have horrible knees so land exercise is pretty much a no go. I do Aqua Aerobics and Aqua Jog...good low impact stuff, great calorie v urn and an all over body workout. We also use weights in the pool and that is great for toning muscles! Good luck on your journey. I have lost 53lbs since March 29th!

ponyvillalobos

Congratulations!!!!! That's a lot of weight. Thanks for the reply, it motivated me!

theresakruse48 wrote: »

I have horrible knees so land exercise is pretty much a no go. I do Aqua Aerobics and Aqua Jog...good low impact stuff, great calorie v urn and an all over body workout. We also use weights in the pool and that is great for toning muscles! Good luck on your journey. I have lost 53lbs since March 29th!

ponyvillalobos

I will check out some vids!! I was on the swim team when I was a teen but nothing wrong with refreshing my tecnique! I started to gain wight after my injury from lack of activity, my diet didn't change. I just stopped hiking for 2 hours a day but continued to eat as if I were!

G085H173 wrote: »

You will only lose weight by eating less calories than you use. Swimming is great for general fitness. I swim 2/3 times a week in Olympic size pool. Don't just go thrashing through the water, you'll get disenchanted. Concentrate on form/technique too. There's good YouTube vids for swimming technique. If you can, get a kick boArd and a figure 8 float gor between your legs. Use these to build power in your legs and arms, to concentrate on technique and work you like a you-know-what. You shouldn't leave the pool without at least a minor sweat on.

smile_laughter

You can absolutely lose weight swimming. I love it. There are so many things you can do in the pool. You can focus on legs, arms, abs, back, etc. I like to do 10-20 triceps dips at the end of the pool every 200 meters. For me, the downfall is that I am starving after I swim.

It may take awhile to build your endurance. Don't get frustrated if your exhausted after 10 minutes. Use a kick board to do a few laps of kick. Heck, doggy paddle is great on your biceps!

Buff_Man

Yup! Swimming is my cardio alongside my weights routine. Monitor your progress, maintain a calorie deficit and you will lose weight. Most importantly get your diet under control first!good luck

STEVE142142

To lose weight you don't have to do any exercise. It's just a matter of eating less calories than your body Burns.

Now as far as the swimming. It's a great low impact total body workout. once you get into it you'll start to feel muscles that you thought you never had. There's a great website out there called 0 - 1650. it sets up a swim routine to go from 0 to a mile in 6 weeks.