Swimming but obese

[Anonymous]

5'5 225 pounds, everything hurts. I can't stick to a work out routine too long because I just get discouraged or I am in pain.

There is a JCC nearby w a pool. And I'm thinking swimming might be a good idea? Maybe less intense on my joints anyone around my weight use swimming for weight loss or overall health?

[Anonymous]

Yes, swimming is a great idea. In a class, with a trainer, or just by yourself.

[Anonymous]

That's a great idea, but know how hard it is to get started if you haven't done it for a while. I say this as a former competitive swimmer; it is really hard/easy to get out of breath those first few times.

So STICK WITH IT for at least a few weeks so you can see how it is once you've settled in. There's no point in doing it for 2 weeks or something; you need to give it a good go.

[Anonymous]

Water aerobics is also a great low-impact workout if they offer classes.

[Anonymous]

Great exercise and probably one of the best.
But you have to include change of eating plans.
If I was you, I will eat not more than twice a day with no snacks and drink only water except coffee or tea in the morning.

[Anonymous]

I’m a former competitive swimmer and sometimes obese person - it’s fabulous exercise regardless of your body weight. I echo the other swimmer - be patient and kind to yourself. You could start just by getting in the pool and doing a few slow lengths, then treating yourself to the hot tub, if there is one. Two days later, go again and add a couple lengths. If you find breast stroke easier than the crawl, do that to begin with. The movement is great for your body and mind, whether or not it spurs weight loss. Worth it for its own sake!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Great exercise and probably one of the best.
But you have to include change of eating plans.
If I was you, I will eat not more than twice a day with no snacks and drink only water except coffee or tea in the morning.

This is PP
Read the Obesity Code or listen to Dr Jason Fung on Youtube.

[Anonymous]

Another former competitive swimmer (we should start a club) it’s just a great excercise because nothing feels better than being in the water.

Do it OP! And report back.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the support.

I'm very self conscious in a swim suit and pretty modest. I'll wear swim leggings and a long sleeve rash guard. I need to get a new one. My excuse was always the "sun" but I wonder if it will look silly to wear that at an indoor pool? The idea of a one piece w no sleeves scares me.

I live in a very orthodox/some Hasidic community and a Muslim community. I'm neither

The pool is at the JCC so I imagine it will be fairly conservative. They have separate women and men swim times and the offer co-ed and family swim at other times

[Anonymous]

Swimming is a great idea. I had a friend who started her loss of 100 lbs journey by swimming.

[Anonymous]

Swimming is great. I’m 5’8” and 200lb at the beginning of summer. I have started shedding pounds swimming laps twice a week. You just have to push yourself a bit more each time. The first time I went, so could only swim down and back once before resting 1 full minute. Now I can swim 500 yards easily.

Get an inexpensive racing suit. No one swimming laps cares what you look like. Lots of very large bellied old men in the lap lanes and some elderly women who are quite heavy and walk with canes going to water aerobics. No one is judging. Everyone is just there to exercise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the support.

I'm very self conscious in a swim suit and pretty modest. I'll wear swim leggings and a long sleeve rash guard. I need to get a new one. My excuse was always the "sun" but I wonder if it will look silly to wear that at an indoor pool? The idea of a one piece w no sleeves scares me.

I live in a very orthodox/some Hasidic community and a Muslim community. I'm neither

The pool is at the JCC so I imagine it will be fairly conservative. They have separate women and men swim times and the offer co-ed and family swim at other times

Wear whatever makes you feel most comfortable. The extra material will add drag, which is good exercise. . When you feel more at ease you could also wear a suit with less material under a coverup, and take it off just as you get in the water. It’s the walk from the locker room to the pool that makes me feel self conscious- once in the water no one can really see your body anyway.

[Anonymous]

Swimming is perfect. You do not feel your weight and it is far easier on the joints. It is full body exercise.

Start slow. Swim a lap, rest, and repeat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the support.

I'm very self conscious in a swim suit and pretty modest. I'll wear swim leggings and a long sleeve rash guard. I need to get a new one. My excuse was always the "sun" but I wonder if it will look silly to wear that at an indoor pool? The idea of a one piece w no sleeves scares me.

I live in a very orthodox/some Hasidic community and a Muslim community. I'm neither

The pool is at the JCC so I imagine it will be fairly conservative. They have separate women and men swim times and the offer co-ed and family swim at other times

No one else will care what you are wearing, so wear what makes you comfortable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the support.

I'm very self conscious in a swim suit and pretty modest. I'll wear swim leggings and a long sleeve rash guard. I need to get a new one. My excuse was always the "sun" but I wonder if it will look silly to wear that at an indoor pool? The idea of a one piece w no sleeves scares me.

I live in a very orthodox/some Hasidic community and a Muslim community. I'm neither

The pool is at the JCC so I imagine it will be fairly conservative. They have separate women and men swim times and the offer co-ed and family swim at other times

I'm obese, and I swim. No one has cared what I wore, ever. I have rash guards and swim shorts, one pieces, and even a separate with a sports-bra-like top and a swim skirt. No one has ever looked at me twice. And, I don't always shave. And again, no one cared.

Aside from the occasional people who are weird about lane sharing, I find swimmers are often among the most supportive people I've found in a gym.