Would swimming help with weight loss?

dudette2001uk

dudette2001uk

I will be a Princess!
Hi all,

Well, I think the time has finally come for me to do some exercise :( I've been faffing around losing and re-gaining the same few pounds for the last 2 months, and I'm fed up now!

As some of you may know I have a complete aversion to exercise (I don't currently do any :eek:), but always used to enjoy swimming when I wasn't quite so big :eek: I was just wondering whether swimming is an alright option for losing weight/toning up? I know that going to the gym would probably be a lot better, but my body is really not designed for running/jogging and I'd get really bored and frustrated with it and would probably give up after a couple of sessions.

Do any of you swim regularly, and if so, have you noticed a difference?

Sian xx
 
I have the same aversion to exercise as you, but have often read that swimming is the best for all over toning up and fitness. Not sure re the losing weight, but would presume that as long as you're working up a bit of a sweat and having a cardio workout it would certainly help. I think the main thing is that you enjoy it and are thus more likely to stick to it, it certainly can't do you any harm can it?!
 
i found that when i swan, i toned up and increased my stamina. i dont remember it helping my actual weight loss by much, but i found that i was more reluctant to "cheat" having done all that hard work.
 
i had this conversation with my aunt a couple of weeks ago, she said she's never lost weight swimming and that its to tone up not lose weight, but when I was at college a girl in my class lost around a stone in a fairly short space of time, she was swimming everyday though, I guess it depends on the individual person and how much you do.
 
Thank you all for the replies :) Toning up some of my wobbly bits would be just as good as far as I'm concerned, so I think I'm going to go for it and see how I get on :) I do love swimming and find being in water very relaxing, so hopefully it's something i'd be able to stick to in the long term :) xx
 
I swim every day when the pool is warm enough...and love the way I get to think about things - or not as I go up and down

as others have said, I don't think it does much regarding weightloss, but it certainly makes a difference to my stamina when I've been swimming regularly, which then makes me less afraid to do other forms of exercise.

the trickiest thing will probably be resisting the junk in the vending machine when you leave! as a teen I would always get a bag of chips and a wham bar after swimming:rolleyes:
 
i agree with others, dont really think it makes much different to weightloss as such, but i used to go every day for an early morning swim (havent been in a couple of months, as being the same as you, i have been faffing about a lot), but do plan on getting back into it. anyways, i find when i do it, it kinda sets me up for the day and keeps me motivated.

like yourself also, i personally cant stand the gym, dh and use to go and i found after 15 mins on the treadmill i was constantly clock watching thinking "jeez is that all the time ive been on this thing". what i do now is get my headfones in and go out on a big walk - i walk to my mums quite a few days a week (3.5 miles) and sometimes home again. each way takes around 1 hour, and i really dont notice the time going in then, as i am not staring at the same thing constantly if that makes sense.
 
How about trying an exercise class Sian? I go to Body Attack on a Thursday night and a Saturday morning. You work to your own pace so if you don't feel ready to jog, you just march, that kind of thing. It's really satisfying...when I first started, I could barely keep up but now, I do the more difficult stuff so it's a way of seeing improvement. It can be a bit daunting at first but at the end of the day, everyone is there for the same reason.

If you like water, what about aqua aerobics?

xxx
 
Thanks for the replies and suggestions :)

kirstabubble - I did think about going to a class, but I genuinely have a severe lack of co-ordination and would find it virtually impossible to keep up! I have enough problem following the moves on Just Dance :eek: My fear then would be that I'd just give up :( Aqua aerobics might be more my thing though!

xx
 
Unless you are doing a fairly fast, steady front crawl it's unlikely it will help with losing weight - particularly if you are like most people and just cruise up and down doing a slow breast stroke. But it will be useful for toning because the water provides resistance.
 
First, well done on the weightloss!

I went swimming for the first time in about 20 years and nearly needed the paramedics at the end of a length! I must admit I don't get on with swimming in a pool, I always seem to drop either my socks or knickers onto the floor and get them wet :(, I also hate the drops of water rolling round in my ears afterwards.
But if your face is flushed when you come out, then you know you've been working!
 
dudette2001uk said:
To be honest, I think I need to tone more than anything at the moment. Having lost 5 stone everything seems a bit saggy at the moment :) xx
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im the same Sian (ive lost 6 stone). to be honest, its my arms that bother me the most, and i actually feel more paranoid now about wearing a vest top than i did before i lost weight lol
 
GO for it Sian!

I would say swimming is the best all-round exercise. Also as you experience weightlessness in the water, it is even better - less impact than distance walking or running.

Steve
 
Hi Sian - hope you are well honey!!!

I think an Aqua fit class would be good - this would be in the water (usually wasit high) and you would work out then as well as toning - plus you could always do a few lengths before and after.

Most local councils have classes which are cheaper than attending a posh gym - unless you are already a member!?!?? my friend goes to the council gym and they do a variety of classes.

Best of luck honey and well done on your loss to date - totally awesome! xxx
 
Ellebear said:
Hi Sian - hope you are well honey!!!

I think an Aqua fit class would be good - this would be in the water (usually wasit high) and you would work out then as well as toning - plus you could always do a few lengths before and after.

Most local councils have classes which are cheaper than attending a posh gym - unless you are already a member!?!?? my friend goes to the council gym and they do a variety of classes.

Best of luck honey and well done on your loss to date - totally awesome! xxx
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Thanks hun :) And well done to you too - I saw you're into size 14 jeans now, woop woop! I think my local swimming pool does aquafit classes, so I might investigate. Joining an expensive gym isn't an option for me, and just the thought of a gym makes me break out in a cold sweat, lol! xxx
 
dudette2001uk said:
Thanks hun :) And well done to you too - I saw you're into size 14 jeans now, woop woop! I think my local swimming pool does aquafit classes, so I might investigate. Joining an expensive gym isn't an option for me, and just the thought of a gym makes me break out in a cold sweat, lol! xxx
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me too - but i joined a local one which is part of a hotel - so no 'posers' to make me feel like a hippo!!!

the size 14's are a generous size....generally i am still a 16 for all my other clothes :) but its all good, i feel fab in my 14's!!!! :p xxx
 
Ellebear said:
me too - but i joined a local one which is part of a hotel - so no 'posers' to make me feel like a hippo!!!

the size 14's are a generous size....generally i am still a 16 for all my other clothes :) but its all good, i feel fab in my 14's!!!! :p xxx
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It's the size on the label that matters as far as I'm concerned hun. If I ever manage to get into size 14 jeans I will probably walk around with the label sticking out of them - just so that i can show off, lol! xxx :D
 
Hi Sian!

Wow, well done on the 5 stone Mark - how absolutely terrific!!!!

Like you i've been faffing lately - but now I'm really really going to try to be 100% on plan.

As others have said, Swimming is better for toning. Of course 20 mins of running will benefit weight loss more than 20 mins of swimming, but surely it's better than 20 mins of tv?!

I'm actually doing a swimathon - which is 5k (220 lengths) in just 7 weeks time (aaaaaaaahhhh!!!) so I'm gonna try and get to the pool at least three times a week, and hopefully document it on here, too.

Good luck Hun!!! Xx
 
Aqua-fit does it for me. I did it a few years ago and not only did I lose weight I felt so fit and it was fun !!

Swimming is a brilliant form of exercise and surely any movement uses up calories.

You have done amazingly well losing 5 stones. Swimming will definitely help with toning up.

I think you would need to swim more than once a week for it to be effective.#


How Swimming Keeps You Fit
  • Provides a good aerobic work out: The cardiovascular benefits of swimming and aquatic exercise are similar to other aerobic activities such as running and cycling.
  • Tones the whole body: Water offers 12 to 14 percent more resistance than air, so water is a good substitute for weights. In addition, all swimming strokes tone the muscles of both your upper and lower body.
  • Improves and maintains flexibility: Swimming enhances joint flexibility more readily than with land-based programs, especially in the neck, shoulders, hips and midsection. Much of this is thanks to the repetitive twisting movements, as your body turns from side to side during the crawl, backstroke and butterfly.
  • Mobilizes joints without stress and pain: In water you are 90 percent lighter than in air and that makes your body buoyant. The water supports the body while providing a head-to-toe workout that puts joints through their full range of motion -- even if they're inflamed -- without the problem of gravity. So swimming can be ideal if you're obese, pregnant, have chronic back or joint problems or suffer from a sports injury.
  • Stimulates muscle growth: Although not considered an effective activity for increasing bone mass and reducing the risk of osteoporosis, swimming does provides a stimulus for muscle growth because of the resistance working against the water. Stronger muscles mean improved mobility and support for the joints, which in turn can reduce the risk of falls and fractures. If you need to build bone, walking can be a good complement.
  • Helps with weight loss: Water workouts have a calorie-burning potential of 350 to 450 calories per hour. Combined with a healthy diet, swimming will help fat loss and increase muscle mass to give your body a lean, firm, well-defined appearance. Compare land walking, which burns 135 calories every 30 minutes with deep-water walking, which burns 240 calories per half hour.
  • Stress reliever: Swimming can be good for the mind as well as the body. The soothing aspects of water can help ebb away the days tensions!
 
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