I have always found time for water. As a kid, my mother would take me to the local public pool during the summer. She would have those plastic arm floaties in her bag and I would dart off before she could put them on me. I would jump straight into the deep end and, as she puts it, “sink straight to the bottom like a bag of rocks.”
As the years passed, my swimming has grown from a pure pursuit of fun to that of exercise and longevity. I used to swim mostly during the winter months when I couldn’t get outside and wanted a good workout. I allowed life responsibilities like work, family, hobbies, tv shows, etc. to get in the way of my exercise routine. And, I started getting “old man” injuries. I had a shoulder injury from a few years ago, which hasn’t fully healed and continues to give me fits. My hip started to giving me some issues and now, for no good reason other than age, my knee doesn’t feel so great. How old do I sound? Geez!
We have all the excuses in the world to keep us from exercising. But the fact is, movement makes us feel better. Swimming is one of the best, if not THE best, movements for your body.
I recently started getting back into swimming at the bequest of my physical therapist and, I have to admit, I am shocked at how good my body feels afterwards.
If you are serious about transforming the way your body feels, consider adding swimming to your daily/weekly routine.
Here are some tips to help get you back into swimming:
Tip 1: Treat yourself to a new swimsuit
This is a great way to not only commit to the act of swimming but to also reward yourself for doing so. Celebrate any promise you make and keep to yourself.
Tip #2: Read Total Immersion
Many people have been taught swimming requires a lot of force and energy to be exerted, which can often lead to injury. Terry Laughlin has written a book describing a “revolutionary way to swim better, faster and easier.”
I have gotten a lot of benefit out of this, including learning how to swim in a way that not only makes my body feel better but also puts me into a meditative state when swimming. Time flies and so do I!
Tip #3: Get a training partner or instructor
Having someone else to swim with will help back getting back into swimming that much more enjoyable. You can share tips, motivate each other, and help get your technique back. Consider getting an instructor or swim coach for an extra push.
Tip #4: Take Your Time and Be Patient
Swimming motions can be complex and they use nearly every muscle in your body. It can also require flexibility in your shoulders and ankles. Whether you are new to swimming or getting back into it, don’t beat yourself up. The more you practice, the better you will get.
Tip #5: Go against your instinct
Swimming is not natural for humans. If you are like me, your energy is zapped after swimming in the pool. According to Laughlin, “On average, we convert only 3 percent of energy into forward motion swimming. That means the other 97 percent is getting consumed by the water. The problem isn’t lack of fitness, it’s lack of skill.”
Once you understand (and accept) getting started is difficult for everyone, you can focus on getting better with every swim.
Tip #6: Count strokes, not laps
Some measure their swimming based on time or how many laps they want to complete. I find either ways demotivating. But, when I put my focus on strokes and counting those while thinking about my form, I get locked into a prime swimming state. I feel like I get better results when my focus is on stroke and form.
Tip #7: Save your breath
This is best developed after reading and applying Total Immersion. However, the basic premise is that there is more to breathing than just turning your head after so many strokes. You need to keep your body in the right position to use oxygen correctly. The correct form requires keeping your hips high in the water while your head is neutral with a long, straight neck and your eyes down.
