Starting Swimming

adelight

Get yourself a thick cosy that won't fall down- the harder it is to get into the better it will stay up! Start off slow, it will feel strenuous and unnatural if you haven't done it in ages but you'll get used to it after a few times.
I love swimming but i just don't have the confidence to make the changing room to pool dash

The_One_Who

jayII wrote: »

I second getting hold of a timetable.

Thanks, yeah, I've already got a timetable. Sadly the only "adult only" times are when I can't go, but there is just open swimming times. Even if it isn't lanes, the pool is a rectangle, so I'm sure I could make my own lane or do my own thing

belfastgirl23 wrote: »

First things first, you definitely will look like a hobbyist in a bikini so it is worth investing in a swimsuit.

I know you can't make the lessons but it might be worth booking a one hour slot and getting a one to one lesson. Just a little bit of guidance can make a big difference and prevent you from doing yourself damage if you are doing any amount of swimming.

And if it's weightloss you're after, look out for aqua aerobics classes. I used to do them and loved them!

Finally, soak your hair before you go in the pool. The chlorine is very hard on your hair and my hairdresser reckons if you have your hair soaking before you go in, the chlorinated water doesn't soak in the same way.

Thanks! I know it looks bad being in a bikini, but really it covers what I want covered (hips). I tried a tankini thing once but it was odd and didn't suit me at all. I know it sounds pretty daft, but such is the way of things. Body issues aren't fun

I don't think my local pool does one-to-one lessons, I'd need to look into that. It's not so much weightloss, more general fitness really. And that's a good tip about the hair, thanks!

adelight wrote: »

I love swimming but i just don't have the confidence to make the changing room to pool dash

Does your pool have towel racks? So you can take a towel with you and cover up until you're ready to get in to the pool?

skateykatey

if your local authority pool sessions aren't compatible with your daily schedule then try googling for private pools in your area. We have a few around us and they are actually not that expensive. The bonus being that they are nowhere as busy so you actually get quality swim time as opposed to the stop start sessions at the council pools.

If you already know how to swim then you will probably find that it does come back to you once you're back in the water. Just take it easy, start with breast stroke firstly, and keep your head above the water until you feel confident enough to synchronise your breathing. Try googling how to videos on you tube first.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

My local council have funded a course of FREE swimming lessons for adults at one of the local leisure centres. And additional lessons for all standards/different times cost about a fiver.

Might be worth seeing what's available in your area, even if it is just to give you that memory/confidence boost for a couple of sessions.

margaretclare

First and foremost, no one cares a damn what you look like in a cozzy. I go to aqua-aerobics at LA Fitness, 3 x week, because of replaced hips and advancing age it's about the only exercise I can really do (although I walked a third of a mile a few days ago!)

You should really see some of the women who go to aqua-aerobics where I go. Varicose veins, floppy bellies, you name it. No one bothers. What niggles me about them though, is that many of them don't seem to take it seriously. It seems to be more of a social event than anything - they're so busy gossiping they get in the pool late and then get out early so they miss the warm-up and/or the stretch and cool-down. Or they get in the pool and get into little groups and stand around gossiping. Me, I go for the exercise, nothing else, that's what I'm paying for.

About buying a cozzy, you can get a cheap one almost anywhere. Tesco, M&S, Debenhams, depends what you have locally. For 'bigger girls' try amplebosom - http://www.amplebosom.com/swimwear.php Just depends on what you want to spend.

belfastgirl23

margaretclare wrote: »

First and foremost, no one cares a damn what you look like in a cozzy.

Absolutely!! I realised very fast that I was the ONLY one who gave a hoot about how I looked. Most people don't have prescription goggles in any case and probably can only see you as a blur And the one thing you realise is that there are always better and worse looking people than yourself, it's actually good for your body image in the end because there are old ladies there stripping off merrily and you realise that it's possible to be comfortable in your body as you age.

It makes me really sad when people don't do something they will love because of social embarassment!

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

belfastgirl23 wrote: »

Absolutely!! I realised very fast that I was the ONLY one who gave a hoot about how I looked. Most people don't have prescription goggles in any case and probably can only see you as a blur And the one thing you realise is that there are always better and worse looking people than yourself, it's actually good for your body image in the end because there are old ladies there stripping off merrily and you realise that it's possible to be comfortable in your body as you age.

It makes me really sad when people don't do something they will love because of social embarassment!

I have those (they're great), so I'll be able to see you.....


....but then again, I'm the one with varicose veins, floppy tummy and has Greenpeace on speed dial just in case I can't heave myself back out of the pool.... :cool:

The_One_Who

I have phoned the pool and the "lane jogging" is as I suspected. They section off some of the pool into lanes for those who want it, nothing fancy.

skateykatey wrote: »

if your local authority pool sessions aren't compatible with your daily schedule then try googling for private pools in your area. We have a few around us and they are actually not that expensive. The bonus being that they are nowhere as busy so you actually get quality swim time as opposed to the stop start sessions at the council pools.

If you already know how to swim then you will probably find that it does come back to you once you're back in the water. Just take it easy, start with breast stroke firstly, and keep your head above the water until you feel confident enough to synchronise your breathing. Try googling how to videos on you tube first.

Other than a Bannatynes place, there are no private pools around here, at least not that I, or anyone I know, have heard of.

Thanks for the tips. I can't do breast stroke (a sad admission), I'm more of a front crawler, but I think the tips can still apply. I was a pretty decent swimmer last time I was in a pool properly.

belfastgirl23 wrote: »

It makes me really sad when people don't do something they will love because of social embarassment!

I agree. My body issues (or perhaps more accurately my hatred of certain parts of my body) go far, far beyond a bit of embarrassment though

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

I have those (they're great), so I'll be able to see you.....

....but then again, I'm the one with varicose veins, floppy tummy and has Greenpeace on speed dial just in case I can't heave myself back out of the pool.... :cool:

Haha, that made me properly laugh! I'm sure I'll be fine once in the pool, as long as I don't drown! Although if I'm drowning I'll have bigger problems than what my legs look like.

I will possibly make a trip to the pool this week (although school holidays, and I can't make the adult-only) and see how I go.

Artytarty

Take care of your hair.
Always rinse and condition it or even better wear a hat if you can bear to.
I used to love swimming but gave it up when I started colouring my hair. It fades it and makes it very dry.
Enjoy, swimming is great!

belfastgirl23

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

I have those (they're great), so I'll be able to see you.....


....but then again, I'm the one with varicose veins, floppy tummy and has Greenpeace on speed dial just in case I can't heave myself back out of the pool.... :cool:

I have them too but they get fogged up and I can hardly see anyway. Don't suppose anyone has any tips for that??

And believe me I'm no oil painting in my cossie either...I just figure by the time the hat and goggles are on no one will know me anyway...