I want to swim!

If you want to get anywhere (literally and figuratively) you better start moving those legs.

Start with just ten minutes of uninterrupted laps. Go slow if you need to but don't stop (and keep your arms and legs moving). If you can do more than that, try for another 10 minutes. Build up to an hour slowly. You'll see that it gets easier with time.

If your legs are getting too tired too fast, wear some flippers. Yes, they may look funny, but under the water no one sees. They will make it much easier on your calves and they will push the water for you so you can go farther, easier.

I would suggest getting a kick board and watching some YouTube videos on different strokes, like freestyle and breast stroke. These two strokes work the legs completely differently.

Just using the kick board allows you to focus on the kick. There is also a device called a pull bouy that allows the legs to float while you focus on the upper body movements.

Then you can combine them.

Don't try the butterfly until you're a strong swimmer. There is a swimming group on MFP, you should join it!

I love my water aerobics class. You are constantly moving and I know that I am getting in 1 hour of exercise every time I go.

I love swimming. I do water aerobics 6 days a week at my local YMCA and just love it. I usually do the hour class and then swim laps for about 30 minutes. And actually dog paddling, moving your arms and legs both, is good exercise too! Just keep moving and work your way up!

The best way if you don't have an Olympic pool or out in some body of water to practice is to get a Swim Trainer Tether. They range is cost and how they mount. But I had one years ago and I loved it. I'm actually going to get another one, as the belts have disintegrated (they sat out in the sun unused for about 4 years).

Anyway, you put a belt on which is hooked to a tether that's on a flexible pole... it allows you to pretty much stay in place and paddle without having to worry about turning or hitting walls. So you can concentrate on your stroke.

Hope that helps...

Otherwise, just force yourself to use your legs.

The super low cost way would be to hold on to the side of your pool and just kick your legs like crazy until you tire out. Rest, and repeat.

I think it is great that you want to swim! Since you are new to it, I wouldn't suggest a master's class. I have taught adult swim lessons in the past and that may be a good place to learn strokes. The best thing about the pool is that even if you paddle around you are going to get a workout! So, you don't have to be perfect to do it. One of the biggest frustrations of my adult students is that their fitness from other sports don't seem to transfer to the pool - the runner gets "out of breath" fast in the pool. I think it is a perfect opportunity for intervals - kick or swim one minute as hard as you can and then go for 3 minutes at a deliberately slow pace. This way you are less likely to get discouraged.

I am also a huge fan of "water jogging". I like to go from the shallow to the deep end - and I sweat! A lot of pools have foam belts that help keep you up in the deep end. Once your feet are off the pool floor, lean slightly forward and keep jogging! Your form doesn't have to be perfect and you still get a great workout.

I have also taught/done water aerobics as another poster suggested. Great fun and don't be afraid to modify as best for you! Good luck!