Happy Monday! I'm so thankful today is a holiday. That means no going into the office for me today and I really needed today to rest at home and adjust to my new foot brace. I feel like I'm learning to walk again. It's taking a ton of energy for me to get around and do basic things. Yesterday I decided to wear my boot when I'm outside my house until I'm stronger. Thank goodness my Mom is staying longer in Arizona to help me.
To maintain my fitness, I've been swimming and cycling everyday. I've never liked swimming or been a good swimmer. I envy the people who can stick their faces in the water and glide seamless across the water with what appears like little effort. I, on the other hand, don't like sticking my face in the water even with goggles. Water goes up my nose, I can't breathe and I'm prone to getting swimmer's ear.
But with foot injury, I've found myself drawn to swimming. It's been therapy and pain relief for my foot. It's also challenged my fitness in a new way and I love a new goal. As I've been swimming more and more, I've grown to like it and have gotten better at it.
My pool...
Swimming Tips for Beginners
1. Swim caps do not prevent your hair from getting wet so be prepared to blow dry post swim
2. Silicone molded earplugs are a must if you suffer from swimmer's ear
3. Learn to breathe in the water
4. Squint your eyes periodically to allow water to seep in your goggles to clear the fog
5. Buy a waterproof bag to store wet swimsuit & cap post workout
6. A strong core is important to keep your body from sinking allowing more endurance to push and pull
7. Bikini is for the beach, Nike racing suit is for laps
8. Maintain a slow & comfortable pace to avoid exhausting yourself
9. Focus on technique & do basics strokes (front, back, side crawl)
10. Music is a must, I love my H20 Audio.
My swim workouts last 20-30 minutes. I've been averaging 40-50 laps in that timeframe. The biggest challenges for me have been learning to breathe in the water and maintaining a slow pace. I'm accustomed to high intensity workouts & I'm not a slow person in life. Even though I've learned pace my myself through long distances like half marathons, swimming requires a different mental focus than running. Something I did to help control my pace - create playlist for my H20 Audio with slower paced music.
When I was beginning to swim, I was surprised to find not many websites had advice specific to adults beginning to swim in their fitness regimes. Personally, I feel it's a great low-impact exercise that spares the joints from repetitive impact and good for injury rehabilitation. As with anything though, it has it's tradeoffs - like swim caps not keeping your hair dry. Why isn't that written in a beginner's guide website?
Johnny Shi says
I appreciate what you said about focusing on technique and basic strokes. Sometimes I think that it is easy to desire to go fast and because of that you can loose some good form. I think that it starting slow and building up to a higher pace all while focusing on a good technique is a good way to go. Thanks for the great tips.
Patty @ Reach Your Peak says
I actually just started swimming last week, I'm going to try to go once a week. These are great tips and I had no idea there were waterproof headphones!! If I keep swimming I'l have to look into those. 40 laps in 20-30 min?? I'm SO far from that. The other day I swam 8 laps in that time frame with breaks lol. A lap is from one wall to the other right? and two laps would be one wall to the other and back? #clueless
Skinny Fitalicious says
Yes one lap is roundtrip is how I like to say it.
Missy says
Hi! I just found your blog today - the title of this post intrigued me... I love to swim!
Congrats on your journey to health -- SUCH A SUCCESS!!
I have a tip for you -- drops of rubbing alcohol in your ear after a swim is everything. Takes that hard to get water right out and prevents the swim ear. You can buy those eardrops they sell in the drug store -- BUT they are basically just alcohol... so... I just pour mine into a dropper.
The Skinny-Life says
Thanks for the tip!
Crystal Helmer says
I'm a beginner swimmer too! I had to take grown up swim classes the end of 2012 and I just completed my first indoor triathlon this past weekend. I agree, there needs to be more advice/outlets for us newbies.
The Skinny-Life says
Definitely! Congrats on your triathlon! I've never heard of an indoor one. Was the biking stationary?