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Taking swimming lessons whilst fat.

xxsparklezxx
xxsparklezxx Posts: 3 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi guys! So Ive basically been referred by doctor for exercise at my local gym, it overlooks the swimming pool so whilst I'm there I work out watching the people below swim. I'm 29 and just thought before I turn 30 I'd like to learn how to swim. It will also be good for my weight loss journey because I can incorporate swimming into my exercise plan. The only problem is I'm 23stone, am I just gonna sink everytime I try to swim. I've not been in a swimming pool since I was about 16 and much slimmer so I'm feeling nervous now. Any tips, advice and your own experiences will be very helpful. Thanks :)

Replies

  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    Very true. Fat is lighter than water. I learned to swim when I was a skinny little kid but it was a lot easier to stay afloat once I was bigger. As I lost the pounds it was more work to tread water to stay afloat.

    Water exercises are also very good when you are heavier as the bouyancy takes the weight off your joints. You get the same workout for less stress.
  • snowflake954
    snowflake954 Posts: 8,399 Member
    All of above. You'll also find that what you learned as a child all comes back to you. Take some lessons if you need to. I've been swimming for 20 yrs and if it's something you're longing to do--don't wait. Good luck.
  • ridiculous59
    ridiculous59 Posts: 2,920 Member
    Yep, you definitely float more. I've been doing a deep water running class while losing weight. I started out wearing a small foam belt and now I have to use a bigger one to keep me afloat. Also, for variety, maybe see if your pool offers some kind of aquasize classes? You don't need to be able to swim (the belt keeps you up) or some classes are done in the shallow end. They really are awesome and you just go at your own pace. So easy on your joints.

    I really like swimming and I think it's fabulous that you want to learn. It's one of those things that you can do for the rest of your life :)
  • Sara1791
    Sara1791 Posts: 760 Member
    I was so self-conscious when I got back in the pool. I had to just focus on what I was doing and how I felt rather than how I thought I looked. The chubby elderly ladies at the Y were a big inspiration to me because they just did what was good for themselves without bothering to look around. I love that kind of confidence and I try to emulate it.

    and up thread peeps are right - fat floats. I've lost quite a bit of weight now and I've had to sort of re-adjust how I swim. It feels a little different. I have to concentrate a little more on floating.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Go for it. Body fat makes you more buoyant (in a nutshell you displace more water) and swimming is great exercise. One of the things I noticed when I lost weight was that I needed less lead on my belt when scuba diving.....
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