Exercising: Swimming?

20M ~250lbs 5'7"

Context:

In middle school sometimes I would participate in physical education classes. Most of the time I wouldn't because I just hate exercising, except if it was some sort of game like tag, which I would participate in because it's fun. In high school I didn't participate, like ever.

It's been about two years or so since I've graduated and about roughly four years or more since I've properly gotten my heart rate up for an extended period. Maybe here and there due to some physically demanding task, but no actual proper exercising.

The most success I had with exercising was back in late middle school when I would do aerobic HIIT or whatever it's called at home watching videos in my room, but that got stale quick and I didn't have motivation.

So, exercise is just not for me. End of rant. Unless...

A few days ago a cousin of mine came over and we are very close, she's about roughly the same BMI as me probably. A few topics later she started talking about how she was planning to go swimming on a regular basis for weight loss.

Immediately, several alarm bells rang in my head about being extremely stupid and not having thought of this before: I fucking LOVE swimming. I offered to do it with her, and she agreed.

Seriously though, why I haven't thought of this yet is actually beyond me. I've always loved the pool, the ocean, lakes... If I can swim in it I will. In fact, I'm usually so hell-bent on not leaving the water that I constantly get sunburns, despite knowing how prone I am.

I love doing backflips in water. Cartwheels, diving as deep as I can, or just swimming, yet I cannot properly remember the last time I did these things. The most recent time I was in water was one or two years ago at the beach, though I usually just float around because despite my love for the ocean I am too scared to do anything more lol.

So, now, as I am trying to lose weight, this strikes me as the perfect opportunity to exercise and have fun without feeling like I'm exercising.

TL;DR: I've officially rekindled my love for pools, and I want to use that to my advantage as a way to exercise.

Personal rambles aside, I'd like to ask:

• For those who swim as a means to weight loss, or tried, how viable has swimming been to you? • Why has it or why hasn't it worked for you? • What are some things you'd suggest for me to try or to keep in mind?

submitted by /u/nastillion
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from loseit - Lose the Fat https://www.reddit.com/r/loseit/comments/1972wgk/exercising_swimming/