Swimming

Last September I took up swimming laps for fitness. In my teens and early 20's I was a lifeguard and swim instructor...best summer job ever! Then I stopped swimming when I graduated university and got a real job that kept me indoors all summer.

Last summer I was running (well, jogging, I was not very fast) and even competed in a 5k race. But by the second half of the summer my right knee was giving me a lot of pain, especially 4 - 6 hours after a run. I had 3 different diagnoses fron different health professionals. In the end I decided the running was not worth the pain.

I swim 2 - 3 mornings per week as soon as I drop my youngest off at school, and I swim for about an hour in a 25m pool. I do between 65 - 80 lengths depending on what time I actually get in the pool and how I am feeling.

Before I swim I eat one majool date for energy.

I started off alternating front crawl with breast stroke, but now I do about 4 lengths of crawl, and then every fifth length I rest my arms and do breast stroke.

I feel great after my swims, but I have to say that it is not as effective as running for keeping my legs fit and for overall cardio. Plus after I swim I am STARVING and have to eat a really big breakfast...I've heard that is from being in the cold water. Whatever the cause it is not helping me lose any weight!