Ceebee's Journal, 23 March 2011

Good idea! I love swimming. When I started up a couple of months ago, while I knew how to front crawl, I found I was too winded to do more than a few lengths of it at a time so I just did the breast stroke. The key with swimming, like any kind of cardio I guess, is to keep moving - just being in the pool isn't enough, you need to be swimming laps or treading water or something, as continuously as possible. I usually do 4 lengths (25yard pool) then rest for 30 seconds and rinse and repeat for about an hour. Another good thing to do is to do lengths using the flutter board thingie - which makes you work your legs harder. Have fun! 

I don't think I've ever gotten a good workout from swimming. I'm just too leisurely in the water. When I was taking the boys to swimming lessons, there was always one woman who used these little flipper things on her hands. Maybe you can ask about something like that. 

Yes - along with continuously moving - you need to push yourself to go faster and faster. It's kind of like walking ... you can walk for an hour at a really slow pace and it is exercise but not really a 'workout' or you can walk really briskly and move your arms and then it becomes more like exercise. But regardless, just getting in the pool and getting moving feels good and you can start slow and work your way up. That's what I'm trying to do. What I like about swimming is that it's something that even my 72 year old mother in law can still do ... because it's not hard on the joints. 

thats good that the whole family will be involved. enjoy 

It is great you are going to swim and get the entire family in on it. I never learned to swim well, but it is great exercise and kind to the old knees:) Have fun.  

Moving... that is the key, water offers low/no impact resistance exercising. It is GREAT!!! even if you just grab a board and do lanes just kicking your legs the entire time you will get a work out! I love swimming.. .I swear by it... I live in the pool (honestly 3 times a week for me and it woulod be more if I had more time). 

that's great :) 

well I did it. I did 3 or 6 laps.. I am not sure how it is counted. But I went up and down 3 times.. or if you count it by how many times you cross the pool I did 6 laps. HOLY CRAP. I opted for the breast stroke because it is simpler than the crawl. I can never get the breathing right on the crawl. I am worried about my arms.. they were a burning. I know I did not go far.. but I will go further the stronger I get. Whew.. I was gasping for air and red faced when I got out. Good stuff. I am glad I took the plunge. :) 

Glad to hear it! I actually sweat when I swim... it probably looks retarded because I am so red faced and sweaty when I get out of the water. Slowly build up you will find you get stronger pretty quick as long as you keep going. 

Congrats! Usually the rec pools have numbers on the side so you can figure out how many yards, metres is a length. Most are 25 yards I think, unless you are in an Olympic length pool (50 metres). And I found that the second time I went I did way more lengths.... I think it's a confidence thing. Like once you know you can do 3 lengths, you can probably do 6. Go Ceebee! 

I looked on line.. it is 25 yards long..  

Ok so today you swam 75 yards! I love that we've got another swimmmer in the group, it inspires me to get my ass back to the pool.  

I love having another swimmer buddy too bad we don't all live closer to each other! 

dude.. didnt I swim 150 yards? I went up and down, 3 times.. isnt it 25 yards each way?  

not that it matters I guess.. cause my arms could nto take anymore.. :P 

Oh sorry - yes you are right! A length is just up once, or down once, a lap is up and back - so if you did 3 laps (6 lengths), you did 150 yards! Next time 300! 

150 years! next time try to double it :)  

its a good think I am an english major that cant speak... that should be yards not years.. 

Thanks ladies.. next time when my arms give out.. I am gonna get a kick board and do a lap to let them recover.. then go for a few more laps in the breaststroke.. or at least my uncoordinated version of it. :) 

All this swim talk is Greek to me! lol. Good work in your laps I can't even dog paddle a lap.