Embarrassed to start swimming

sarahmethvyn
sarahmethvyn Posts: 1 Member
edited November 25 in Fitness and Exercise
I swam competitively throughout my high school years. I'd really like to get back into it as that was the only excercise I enjoyed. I am nervous to start back up for a few reasons-how out of shape I'll be(I only know workouts I used to do when I was in good shape) and how much weight I've gained since being in the swimming pool last. Any tips to help get me started?

Replies

  • corinasue1143
    corinasue1143 Posts: 7,464 Member
    Definitely don't worry about it. Many won't have swam in school, so you're already one step ahead. No one will have time to judge you. They'll be too busy doing their own thing. Have fun!
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    Just take those workouts and scale them back. Instead of 1000 yds do 100. You'll have fun!
  • gentlygently
    gentlygently Posts: 752 Member
    Jump on in. There are so many different body shapes and swimming abilities at the pool - and no one gives two hoots. You will be surprised how much better your swimming is, as someone who learnt properly, than most people's...

    You could of course delberately pick a time - eg a family session or no lanes session - just to get over that first hurdle of getting back in the pool and finding out how much you remember.

    And join the MFP swimmers group! We'd love to know how you get on....Lots of 'returners' in the group!

    Good luck
  • sarabushby
    sarabushby Posts: 784 Member
    Once you’re in the water all anyone sees is a head bobbing up and down, please don’t let your inhibitions hold you back from what you enjoyed. If you’re worrying about people looking at you you might be paranoid and think that they are when in fact they’re just staring past you, or looking at someone else and even if they are looking at you it doesn’t mean they’re thinking negatively. I think it’s partly human nature to look at something that’s different, e.g if a Paralympic swimmer got in the pool they’d probably feel people were watching them, but mostly it’s just be in awe. Stay strong, buy a suit you feel comfortable in, good goggles, a new hat and nice pool toys then get in and reconnect with your favourite sport.
  • crackpotbaby
    crackpotbaby Posts: 1,297 Member
    For what it’s worth, I do the ‘old lady breast stroke with head above water the whole time to keep my face dry’ swim. And I’m a 36 year old mother of two, covered in tattoos.

    I get some funny looks. Lucky swimming’s not my thing lol.

    I reckon you’ll do fine.
  • snowflake954
    snowflake954 Posts: 8,399 Member
    I've been swimming 22 yrs and can I tell you something? The people who get the attention at the gym or the pool aren't the "out of shapers", but the fantastic bods. When I'm swimming and I see someone arrive that knows how to swim and has a good body, sure I look--and watch, to try and pick up some tips on how to do things better. As for how long it's been since you last swam, I think you'll find that it's like riding a bicycle, once you start it'll all come back fairly fast. Enjoy yourself--swimming is great exercise.
  • snowflake954
    snowflake954 Posts: 8,399 Member
    sijomial wrote: »
    Stop thinking the pool (or gym) are places where in shape people go and start thinking the pool (or gym) are the places people go to get in shape.

    Well said--should be a sticky. Ha, ha--maybe really.
  • sschauer513
    sschauer513 Posts: 313 Member
    Never let others steal your joy go for it I found at the gym or at the Y no one really cares what you are doing or how you look as long as you're not drowning you shouldn't worry.
  • dutchandkiwi
    dutchandkiwi Posts: 1,389 Member
    Best tip; Just do it.
    Seriously when you get to the pool you will find that there are swimmers in every size shape or form
    At my local pool they are divided into 4 lanes, ranging from floating to one end of the pool to the other, to very fast.
  • girlwithcurls2
    girlwithcurls2 Posts: 2,281 Member
    Jump in. I am a relatively new swimmer (adult learner) and I learned really quickly not to judge anyone jumping in by their body. You probably have a gorgeous stroke with great technique. Every time you go, you'll improve over the last. Before you know it, you'll be in a groove, enjoying the water again, and increasing your endurance. Go for it. Nobody will care. :)
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,269 Member
    Go for it. Skills will come back fast, and conditioning will soon follow.

    At age 47, I took adult learn-to-swim classes at my Y (multiple times - LOL!) when I became a rower and needed better self-rescue skills. Besides the class, I went to the pool another couple of times a week to practice my meager but slowly improving skills.

    At the time I was obese, and post bilateral mastectomies (I don't put prostheses in my swimsuit, so I'm completely flat, maybe even concave). There were people of all ages, descriptions, and skill levels in the pool and locker room.

    No one paid the slightest attention to me or my splashily inept "swimming" other than an occasional casual friendly greeting poolside.

    So swim.
  • kenyonhaff
    kenyonhaff Posts: 1,377 Member
    Don't compare yourself with teenaged you. Because no one there is going to.
  • Munchberry
    Munchberry Posts: 172 Member
    edited March 2018
    As far as what to do in the pool (since everyone has so brilliantly covered the getting in without embarrassment part):

    Everyone is different, but I found it helpful to start by getting in and just swimming freestyle for a while and mixing in other strokes for variety. Stop when taxed. after a few times of doing that or pushing yourself a little you might find that you need some structure. If there is a masters swimming group by you go check them out. They meet at structured hours for structured swims. Here is their site: usms.org/

    On that site you will find a wealth of information including every sort of workout routine you can imagine, log books so you can track progress...

    Best of luck to you. Take heed of the posts above mine. All good advice.
  • betty_veronica4
    betty_veronica4 Posts: 196 Member
    My gym overlooks the pool in my facility and when I am on the treadmill, I see ALL body types swimming. I can tell you that in two years, I have not seen one person give a second glance at anyone who might be overweight. While it is hard to believe, most people are likely too focused on their own workouts to focus on others near them.

    I say, suit up, jump in, and enjoy the sport you were successful in!
  • kaizaku
    kaizaku Posts: 1,039 Member
    I love swimming too, I usually go every week. I wont let anyone come in between me and the things I enjoy doing. If you shy, perhaps go when it's all men? I seen all kinds of people, and no one gives a damn. Seriously, sometimes we overthink but in reality it's in our heads. If still you not happy, I suggest you start exercising, watching your diet and hopefully by summer you should be way better than you are now.
  • YosemiteSlamAK
    YosemiteSlamAK Posts: 1,230 Member
    I was also a competitive swimmer growing up and I took several years off from swimming. When I got back in I timed my 50 free, 50 breast (my main stroke), 50 back, 100 IM (I almost died!), 200 free & 200 breast (my event) to get base line times. I sucked, mainly wind, but I had a jumping off point. I started with basic workouts I got off www.usms.org/ I focused on technique over speed, staring with a goal of 1000 yards, now I swim 4 miles at least twice a week. I have dropped all my times and now I do 200 IMs as part of my workout!
  • spartan_d
    spartan_d Posts: 727 Member
    The vast majority of people that I see at the pool are badly overweight. In fact, most of them don't do much of anything. A lot of them just wade in the water or lie on the pool chairs, for some strange reason.
  • bob108819
    bob108819 Posts: 267 Member
    I am relatively "in shape" but just learned how to swim correctly 2 years ago in order to do a triathlon. I will never be fast in the water, but I always get a great workout when I go and absolutely love how I feel when I'm done. I have done Masters practices, and I am always in the outside slow lane with the old ladies, and they leave me in their wake. I just keep swimming! I enjoy it :-)
  • Momepro
    Momepro Posts: 1,509 Member
    edited March 2018
    Lol, I'm a fat doggie paddler, and the only comment I ever got was at our apartment pool, when a teenager asked me why I always swam alone, because he was apparently afraid I was on the verge of drowning :D:D
  • 1houndgal
    1houndgal Posts: 558 Member
    sarahmethvyn wrote: »
    I swam competitively throughout my high school years. I'd really like to get back into it as that was the only excercise I enjoyed. I am nervous to start back up for a few reasons-how out of shape I'll be(I only know workouts I used to do when I was in good shape) and how much weight I've gained since being in the swimming pool last. Any tips to help get me started?
    sarahmethvyn wrote: »
    I swam competitively throughout my high school years. I'd really like to get back into it as that was the only excercise I enjoyed. I am nervous to start back up for a few reasons-how out of shape I'll be(I only know workouts I used to do when I was in good shape) and how much weight I've gained since being in the swimming pool last. Any tips to help get me started?

    People of all shapes. skill levels, and fitness levels do swim to get fitter. No need to feel embarassed. I say go for it. You won't regret it.
  • RaeBeeBaby
    RaeBeeBaby Posts: 4,246 Member
    I let fear of the unknown (being seen, being judged, nekkid in the locker room) rob me of at least a year of joy at the pool. After I retired I really wanted to try aquasize classes but I kept talking myself out of it. Finally, my 78 year old mother got sick of hearing me talk about it and paid my membership fee for 6 months. (She's a swimmer and has gone to the pool in her town for over 25 years.) Well then I HAD to do it to save face.

    Thank goodness I was pushed into it! Going to the pool is now such a part of my life I would never give it up. I go to aquasize class and swim laps several times a week. I'm the kickboard with the swim fins or backstroke swimmer, but who cares? There are all kinds - ages, shapes, sizes, abilities. There's one young man who comes to our pool who only has one leg. Dang! If he can dive in and swim then I get get my past-middle-aged self in there, too! Bonus - I've made a lot of new friends!
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