SWIMMING

soleilxo
soleilxo Posts: 202
in Health and Weight Loss
Just recently, Ive started swimming laps around my university pool (I do this for about an hour it depends). I burn a fair amount of calores:)Before, all I would do is jog and walk a lot but I am worried that I will gain weight instead of lose because i would gain more lean muscle. But I am paranoid now and dont want to continue because I dont want to gain I have a number to get to!

any advice mfp?! :)

Replies

  • scott091501
    scott091501 Posts: 1,260 Member
    Swimming is a total body exercise and is great for losing weight. Many people also report a decent jump in appetite from this sport as opposed to say running. So there is a modicum of self control that must go along with it. Also weight loss is controled by what you put in your mouth primarily. You can adjust caloric and macro intake to fit any exercise regiment.
  • lauraatkinson85
    lauraatkinson85 Posts: 84 Member
    Just recently, Ive started swimming laps around my university pool (I do this for about an hour it depends). I burn a fair amount of calores:)Before, all I would do is jog and walk a lot but I am worried that I will gain weight instead of lose because i would gain more lean muscle. But I am paranoid now and dont want to continue because I dont want to gain I have a number to get to!

    any advice mfp?! :)

    Why is the number so important? Ive been swimming and lifting and although I've only lost 13lbs, my entire body shape has changed, making me more lean and putting my curves back in the right place.

    The numbers that you're best to think about are the inches and the dress sizes.

    Lean muscle is more dense than fat, so you're effectively thinking that you would rather be fatter and weigh less, rather than be healthy, toned and have a larger number on the scales.

    I can find it frustrating when the scales stay the same, but all I need to do to feel better about it is put on the dress/jeans/top that didnt fit 13lbs ago and see that they are looking too big for me now.

    x
  • coliema
    coliema Posts: 7,646 Member

    Why is the number so important?

    I always wonder that...the number used to be important to me, but now that I've gained a little muscle, I worry more about how I look and I worry less about the number. The number means nothing to me anymore, I want to look good.
  • rubyjune27
    rubyjune27 Posts: 87 Member
    Whilst swimming is an excellent exercise and will help muscle development, you are not going to be able to build large and heavy muscles from swimming. To do that you would have to commence weight lifting. What you will find is that you make look a bit smaller as muscles take up less space than fat does.

    One thing to be aware of is that it is considered that people often do eat more after swimming then other exercise such as running. Therefore it is easy to eat more calories than have been burnt. It is thought that this is due to the body temperature being lower because of the water. So you do need to be careful how much you eat. I swim every day and have done for many years and any additional weight has always been due to over eating and not because of muscles - if only!

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