Swimming for fitness, health, and weight loss--advice and tips please

I love swimming too. You should join the swimmer's group on here. community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/122-swimmers

Stick with it, each time you get back in the water it will be easier.

I love swimming as well. I try to go at least once a week. The one exercise that you get to use almost all of your muscles at one time!!!!! ♡

I don't know how you feel about reddit, but the r/Swimming sub has a lot of beginners/advice for beginners as well as crazy fast club swimmers. It's got a fantastic collection of links to YouTube videos on stroke techniques, programs designed to take you from zero to hero (1650yds, a swim "mile"), and so on.

One important thing about swim: I find that if I'm not in the water at least 1-2 times per week, I lose swim fitness MUCH more quickly than if I miss out on other sports. If you're used to the whole "week off of running = fresh legs and faster times," it could be an unpleasant surprise in the water.

I taught/coached swimming for a looooong time. You may want to ask your lifeguard to watch you, critique your technique (if the pool's not busy anyway) or probably any of your pool's staff. You might be able to get a one-off lesson for free or cheap. Other lap swimmers are pretty good resources too! Find someone doing what you want to be doing, ask, listen, take their advice and improve. Swimming is such a fantastic, low-impact, high aerobic exercise, but like anything else, if your technique is bad, your results will be impacted.

Running in the water is awesome exercise too, and you might look at a water aerobics or toning class. They're fun!

dougpconnell219 wrote: »

I've always thought water Polo looks fun as hell, and is a great workout. Unfortunately, I don't know 10 other people who want to play.

I played in high school. It is INSANE--both insanely fun and insanely difficult. I will never be in better shape, and I run marathons now.

Why not find one interested friend, watch some YouTube videos to learn the treading techniques, and toss the ball (you could even sub in a volleyball or four square ball) back and forth?

My progress down the pool was terrible at first until I decided to get a few 1:1 coaching sessions with the local trainer. She watched my form and within the first session I was gliding much more efficiently and actually feeling I was travelling further and faster with each stroke - it was technique and of course fitness.
- I would encourage you to look into a few 1:1 coaching sessions at your local pool.

I can swim, but I do and teach Aqua fitness and Aqua Zumba. Working out in the water is great for building strength and cardio power.

Working towards 12 lengths is a good goal. Maybe join a class.

I used to swim when I was 12-13 but stopped for a few years and started just last month. I swam 300-400m when I first started and now I swim 800m (around 35 lengths, I think? I use meters instead of yards haha) twice a week. I'm hoping to start swimming a mile per workout. Just start slowly and I bet you'll be able to reach your goal sooner than you think. Good luck! :-)