Swimming
For years, I’ve wanted to get back into swimming. When I was managing the gym and teaching aerobics classes in the 1980s, I also instructed water aerobics classes and was a swimming teacher. I swam laps for an hour every day after aerobics classes. Back then, I loved swimming. I’m not sure what happened to make me give it up. But give it up, I did, and I have regretted it ever since.
Swimming has constantly been on my mind, over the years, as I’ve drawn up training programs for myself. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to fit in a swim recovery at the end of a long week of exercise? Wouldn’t it be great to get back to swimming as well as I did in my previous life? But all I did was think about it. I didn’t do anything about it. How could I? I didn’t have the body that I had back then in my 30s. How could I show myself in public, wearing bathers? Surely all the other swimmers would stop dead and stare, when I walked out onto the pool deck in my bathers!
If anyone else had spoken to me about having these thoughts, I would have had a conversation with them about doing what you love, and living with no regrets. I would have told them not to worry about what others think, as most probably other people would take no notice at all.
After talking to a friend who swims, I was encouraged to give it a go. Off I went to the pool the next day, knowing I had to bite the bullet and do it immediately, before I talked myself out of it. I was really unsure and hestitant, so it would have been easy to find a reason to talk myself out of it.
After changing into my bathers, I felt like the girl in the song about the ‘yellow polka dot bikini’. I was terrified to leave the change rooms and show myself on the pool deck wearing my bathers. Bathers which I had purchased the previous day, and wasn’t really sure about yet.
I took a deep breath and stepped out – nobody was watching. I walked to the edge of the pool and still nobody was watching. I lowered myself into the beautiful warm water and noticed that everyone didn’t stop what they were doing, to stare at me, as I expected. In actual fact nobody seemed to care at all that I was there. Everyone was going about their business, swimming or walking or running in the water. Even those who were just relaxing on the edge of the water took absolutely no notice of me.
I’ve now been to the pool four times in the past ten days, and I’m loving discovering swimming again. I’m slower than I used to be and my technique is dreadful but I don’t care. Improvement gives me a goal to work towards.
My goal now is to swim three times each week, and by the end of the year be able to swim laps for an hour non stop. I’m also working on my stroke technique, as improvement there will make it possible to swim for long periods, without rest breaks.
I’m following a swim training program created by Speedo Australia. Initially, I have been doing their getting started program just to get familiar with being in the water, and moving through the water again.
This is what Speedo says about their 50 metre training starter program:
“As well as helping to improve stamina and muscle tone, swimming is also a great cardiovascular activity and the best choice for an all-over body workout, and vastly improved fitness, whilst virtually eliminating impact on joints and muscles. This program will help your swimming technique and physical conditioning”.
But today I began the Week 1 Swim Program. By the end of this 3 week training program, I should be able to swim non stop for 600 metres. That doesn’t sound like a huge distance, but it’s 12 laps which is quite difficult for a newbie to swimming.
Week 1 Swim Program
Warm up: Two 50m laps of slow swimming
Main set: One 50m lap with fins. The fins allow for easier movement through the wate
One 50m lap with pull buoy. The pull buoy ensures focus is on stroke technique, not allowing the elbow to drop
One 50m lap with kickboard. The kickboard forces focus to be on kicking
Warm Down: One 50m lap, slow swimming
I was happy today, that after over 20 years of no swimming, I was able to complete the above program comfortably, plus and an extra half hour of swimming laps without using aids.
Lesson
There is a lesson in this of course, for anything we attempt. It does not matter how much we think we will look silly or be embarrassed, when out of our comfort zone. When it comes right down to it, nobody cares about this except you. Everyone else is going about their own business, perhaps even feeling out of their comfort zone also. Others around you are focussed on themselves and not at all concerned with what others are doing or look like.
So take my advice, if there is something you would like to try, just do it. Don’t worry about having to be perfect. Even doing whatever it is that gets you excited, in an imperfect way, is better than not doing it at all, because of silly concerns.
Do you get nervous when trying something new? How do you overcome the nervousness and get it done?
Go you. That sounds so good. I am in the post cancer recovery mode and adding more steps to each day walking is my goal. I hope you continue to love and enjoy this mode of exercise.
Denyse. #MLSTL
The way you’re adding to your steps is perfect Denyse. You need to look after you.
You’re right that nobody will notice you because they are all too worried about themselves! That said, yes, I got extremely nervous recently doing something new. I signed up and took a motorcycle driving class. And yes, people noticed me, because there were only 9 people in the class and we all watched everyone else do the exercises. I was the most novice, by far. But everyone was so supportive of me! And that was the insight for me. In fact, they were impressed this middle-age woman was trying it. So, go for it! Visiting from #MLSLT
Congratulations for being open to new experiences!it really isn’t that easy to start something new. Ive
Usually found that most people are more generous than we expect them to be
Fabulous Jen and you have inspired me to try to incorporate swimming. I’m not a strong swimmer but feel it would really help my body after long runs. Well done you for walking the talk or should I say swimming the talk 🙂 You are inspiring to us all and thank you for sharing at #MLSTL. Have a great week! xx
Thanks for your lovely comments Sue. A swim after your run would be a fantastic thing. Let me know if you decide to do it
Jennifer you always do everything so whole-heartedly! I swam for years and loved it and we had a lap pool at our last home and I loved that too. It’s probably been nearly 10 years since I swam laps and I think about starting again – maybe I need a lap buddy??
MLST and I’ve shared on my SM 🙂
A lap buddywould be great Leanne. It does become a bit of a grind ticking off laps. I seem to be able to zone out after the first few laps.
I love this Jennifer, you’re right no-one notices us yet we feel so vulnerable. I’m so glad you managed to do it and that you’re enjoying this form of exercise. Our pool isn’t open yet but I’m keen to start back at aqua aerobics! #mlstl
Thanks for visiting again Deb. I did love aqua aerobics years ago when I was an instructor. Only those who do it understand the benefits of exercising in water.
This post is beautiful in so many ways. It’s interesting how good we are at giving advice and how difficult it is to take that advice to heart for ourselves. I love that you took the plunge (literally) and allowed yourself to be a beginner again, that you risked feeling foolish to do something that you love. A number of #MLSTL posts have been about stepping out of your comfort zone this week. The universe must be trying to tell me something. Good luck with the swimming!
Thanks for your comments Christie. I did notice the ‘out of comfort zone’ posts ON #MLSTL THIS WEEK. Something in the air perhaps?
Good for you! While never a strong swimmer, I used to enjoy warm water aerobics (great for my arthritis). Unfortunately, the closest pool I can use is almost 40 minutes away and would cost $70 a month. Sigh… Keep it up!
#MLSTL visitor (shared on SM)
Ouch! $70 per month sounds high. Until this swimming membership I’ve
Been anti gym memberships. There is so much we can do at home at no cost
I miss swimming too. Back in California, it seemed as though everyone had a pool, but since moving to the UK, it is nowhere near as simple a matter to find a pool to swim in. I’ve been considering a membership at a local pool.
Becky I understand your dilemma. Sounds to me like a membership would be the way to go.
I love how you are so enthusiastic and try new things Jennifer. You have inspired me to get back into swimming because it is such a great exercise and so easy on the joints. I really need a prompt and perhaps the Speedo sessions will help me be sensible about what I do and how much I do, and focusing on different muscles. Thanks for the information 🙂 #MLSTL
Pleased you enjoyed the post Jo. You are so right when you say swimming is easy on the joints. Thanks for visiting
Thanks for this inspiring post! I can really relate to how you felt getting back in that pool. I have a hard time entering a crowded room. I have the feeling everyone is staring, and not for good reasons. I’m not as anxious as I used to be, but I still struggle with it. It’s funny that we can all encourage and comfort a friend when they are afraid to do something, but all we can hear in our own heads is negative self- talk. Congratulations on taking that plunge, and meeting your goals!
Thanks for your comments Christina. I can see you understand how difficult my return to the pool was.
Pardon the pun, but there must be “something in the water” this week, because this is the second “outside my comfort zone” post I’ve read on #MLSTL and if you count mine, it makes three! Brava to you! You’ve learned to do what’s best for you and that other people are wrapped up in their own world and aren’t paying attention to us! Good going! Brenda
Thanks for your comments Brenda. I did notice that being out of your comfort zone was a theme on #MLSTL this week. I’m very behind with reading the blogs this week due to the irk. Looking forward to reading your post
I used to LOVE to swim when I was younger. I remember taking a family vacation where the only planned activity was the hotel pool. I would swim from 9:00-12:00. Then eat lunch (and wait the required 45 minutes) and then swim from 1:30-5:00. Something happened along the way. By the time I reached high school, I cared too much about my drying my hair … and I guess that mindset has continued. It’s a shame. Swimming is great exercise for the introvert 🙂
I love your swimming memories Molly. I’m really loving getting back to it.swimming makes me feel younger