Mon. Jan 1, 12:00am

yes!

I've heard that swimming is one of the best aerobic workouts out there. It burns a lot of calories and does not put stress on your joints! Good luck.

Wednesday, March 29, 2006, 1:48 PM

Swimming is excellent exercise! You get an aerobic workout, plus the water adds resistance so you get some strenghtening benefits as well. I cannot think of another form of exercise that engages your entire body like swimming does. However - apparently the cooler temps of the water can cause folks to be more hungry after swimming than other forms of exercise. So just be aware of this and either lengthen your workouts or incorporate some strategies for managing it. This is the reason for the 'plump layer' you speak of.

Wednesday, March 29, 2006, 2:10 PM

I'm not sure about the plump extra layer, but I have a theory: It is actually harder to swim if you have no fat, b/c you don't float naturally (this is true - my skinny fiance sinks in water, he cannot float!) so the people who tend to be swimmers tend to have some fat on them - not b/c the swimming causes it, but because they're the ones who choose swimming! So I wouldn't worry about it. You're getting great exercise, and that's all that's important!

Wednesday, March 29, 2006, 2:26 PM

not true - about extra fat helping to float - does Michael Phelps have an ounce of fat?

Swimming is great but to reap the same calorie burn from a 30 min swim as say 30 min run is very hard - not many people can swim vigorously non-stop for 30min. That's probably the reason for the extra layer - ppl think they did 30 min cardio - great, now I deserve a burger - not true.

If you swim to lose weight - try breast stroke as it burns more calories than freestyle.

Wednesday, March 29, 2006, 3:15 PM

Actually, fat is less dense than water, and bone is more dense than water (I'm not sure about muscle). Fat people are more buoyant than skinny/bony people. That doesn't mean that thin people can't swim, but, saying that fat doesn't help you float is just flat out untrue. If you swim like Michael Phelps, though, you're really not worried about being able to float!

Wednesday, March 29, 2006, 5:02 PM

Freestyle actually burns more calories than breast stroke. The winner of all the strokes is butterfly, but very few people can do it properly, and certainly not for an extended period of time. Michael Phelps doesn't sink because he has proper technique. Anyone with proper body alignment can float in the water, because we are inherently less dense than it.

Wednesday, March 29, 2006, 5:10 PM

Really heavily muscled people don't have an easy time swimming. I dated a serious bicyclist and his legs were so dense that no amount of kicking would keep his body on the proper plane.

But for the rest of us... ...the one thing swimming does NOT do is load the bones. It is not weight-bearing exercise and so won't help you stave off osteoporotic changes in bone as you age. For this reason, it should never be your only exercise.

Personally, I've found that I put on weight if I swim. For this reason I made a rule for myself: no swimming unless I've already gone for a run that day!

Wednesday, March 29, 2006, 5:27 PM

Hold on - do you mean you put on weight if you swim *instead* of some other exercise, or do you mean you put on weight if you swim vs. *no* exercise?

Wednesday, March 29, 2006, 5:37 PM

I'm actually planning on swimming and walking (I am training for the Breast Cancer 3-day)- Do you think that will do it?

Wednesday, March 29, 2006, 6:00 PM

swimming is great as cross training. Can do great things for your back and shoulders (think spaghetti straps and halters). I find for me however, it's not intense cardio.

Freestyle is definitley the better of the strokes. Absolute total body workout. Legs and arms are obvious, but you also work your abs when you try to keep your body as level as possible on the surface.

It will do it, if you do it right. An improper stroke will affect how effective a work out it is, and if you lazily swim along, your obviously not getting a workout.

Just always remember to wear a cap (preferably NOT a waterproof one) and wash your hair immediately after with a clarifying shampoo- not an average one, but a clarifying one!!!!

Wednesday, March 29, 2006, 11:05 PM

What happens if you don't use a clarifying shampoo?
And what is wrong with a waterproof cap???

Wednesday, March 29, 2006, 11:09 PM

chlorine is not good for your hair. Regular shampoos will not remove it. Therefore over time, your hair will dry out, absorb more pollution, and you're screwed if you perm or color it regularly- chlorine doesn't work well with the chemicals for processing.

"waterproof" caps still let water in the hair. So the chlorine sits on your hair, except with no "flow", the heat from your head warms the cholrinated water sitting on your hair. not a good combo. The regular fabric caps limits to an extent the water flowing over your hair, and keeps your hair cooler.

I know because my hair stylist told me- I've got long great hair, and she's not about to let me wreck it... (she won't let me cut it short either...)

Thursday, March 30, 2006, 12:23 AM

All fabric caps do is allow water to get in and weigh you down, making you less hydrodynamic. Use silicone caops (theyr'e stretchier and won't break your hair), and wash your hair with something like Ultra Swim afterwards. I've swum for years and I think it's a great workout, just supplement it with strength training and maybe one other form of exercise (walking is great). Just like anything else you can't use the activity to give you an excuse to eat more. Just have something handy for you to munch on (like a small serving of nuts) that will tide you over until you get to your next meal. If you wait too long after a swim to eat, you'll end up eating way too much.
The reason for being so hungry after a swim is because you DO burn many more cals than you realize, and although it may sound icky, you sweat in the water. You lose a lot of water and cals, so have a good bottle of water and a low-glycemic snack afterwards, and you'll do great!

Thursday, March 30, 2006, 8:11 AM

Breaststroke does burn more calories vs. freestyle. Provided you do it right ( not just threading water). The reason is you work your leg (thigh) muscles, which a bigger than your upper body muscles that you mostly use in freestyle.

There is a reason why breast stroke, back stroke and butterfly at most go to 400m in competitions and freestyle can go up to 1500.

Thursday, March 30, 2006, 11:11 AM

In the past I lost a lot of weight with swimming as my primary exercise.

I don't agree that swimming should not be your primary exercise. I have fibromyalgia and arthritis in many joints and especially my knees and really, swimming has become just about one of the only forms of exercise I can do. I can't walk very far anymore because I have so much foot pain, and I can't lift weights because of wrist problems. For me (I'm only 44) and a lot of older people swimming is our exercise of choice because it's what we CAN do.

Friday, March 31, 2006, 5:03 AM

Swimming Workout Suggestions Needed!

Thanks, everyone, for all of your comments...

Can anyone out there suggest a good workout that includes kickboard and pull buoy? I also have those short flipper things, but haven't used them in awhile... how should I use those?

Friday, March 31, 2006, 1:08 PM

I took two swim classes last sememster and had a wonderful time. My goal was to lose weight in a manner that was easier on my joints (hip and back pain). Swimming is a wonderful cardiovascular exercise, and, depending on what you are doing in the water, can be a killer workout or just a lazy swim in the water.

Swimming is a great way to burn calories while engaging the whole body as long as you are working yourself. Both of my teachers set up specific workouts for the class, starting with an easy workout (usually 6-8 laps back and forth), kicking with the kickboard (try timing yourself and working to decrease it), then moving into timed breaststroke, backstroke, freestyle, etc. I highly recommend taking a swim class at your local community college.

I thought I was going to die the first class, but by the end of the semester I swam 1 mile without stopping. It took me almost 45 minutes to do it, but remember, I couldn't swim from one end of the pool and back without stopping to hang out at the end to catch my breath!

Regarding the kickboard...time yourself going across 1 way and back, then work to decrease the time to go the same distance. You will build up strength, endurance, and make your heart very happy!

Good luck!!!!

Friday, March 31, 2006, 2:16 PM

to the above poster - wow!
now that you can swim a mile you can do a triathlon!
I was doing the lap to mile program (train to get a mile), but sidetracked. Gotta get back to it soon. I've always wanted to do a triathlon...

Friday, March 31, 2006, 2:54 PM

Thank You 2:16 poster!

Your info is much appreciated!

I will try the kickboard timing thing. And I am SO IMPRESSED with the gains you made. You are a swimming inspiration!

Friday, March 31, 2006, 3:07 PM

Yeah, I was like that too when I started, couldn't do more than a few laps. I kept at it and eventually I could swim a mile too! I lost about 25 pounds too. Just takes time to build up that endurance.

Sunday, April 2, 2006, 5:28 AM

breast stroke takes the most calories for the distance travelled. Its scientifically been proven

Saturday, November 25, 2006, 4:06 PM

I use to swim when I was young. I had a stroke that left me in a wheel chair at 38. I did alot of water theraphy and pray. Today 14 years later I walk and you would never know I was in a wheeel chair. I love to walk in the water. I am sure that has got to burn as much or close to as much calories as an easy run. When I was in HS the guys with the best builts were swimmers with not an ounce of fat on them.Swimmers swim at least 1 hour everyday if they are competeing Swimming is my favorite sport. Too bad it requires thatr you take your clothes off and wear a bathing suit! Oh Well!

Saturday, November 25, 2006, 5:02 PM

I used to be on a swim team and we'd practice 2+ hours a day and, I swear, after practice, I felt like there was a hole in my stomach consuming me from the inside, I was so hungry. Then, I would load up on carbs. :( Needless to say, I was really fit, but I definitely had the plump extra layer. I guess you just have to be really mindful of controlling yourself afterwards.

Also, I don't doubt that breaststroke burns the most calories per distance traveled, but breaststroke tends to be a much SLOWER stroke. I definitely cover more distance doing freestyle than I would with breaststroke given the same amount of time. Maybe its just me, but I find it very hard to maintain a fast breaststroke (with good form) for very long. Anyway, I wish you luck with your workout!

Saturday, November 25, 2006, 8:20 PM

breast stroke vs freestyle

here's what my old swim coach said: if you swim as fast as you can, they should make you equally tired, but the breast stroke takes longer.

on the other hand, most people here - myself included - aren't racing as fast as we can anymore. we just want to swim and burn calories. i swim about 3000 yards when i swim, a good mix of all strokes plus drills, kick, and pull. the more freestyle i do, the quicker i get the workout done. the more of the other strokes and drills, the longer it takes. therefore i'd also be burning more calories. however, my heart rate doesn't get as high as just doing the whole thing freestyle.

so i guess it just depends on whether you want to do intense cardio for a shorter time, or less intense cardio for a longer time.

and for people looking for workout suggestions, the u.s. masters swim website has sample workouts on it.

Saturday, November 25, 2006, 8:37 PM

Weight Loss Secrets at No Charge

Dont forget to sleep. Sleeping is when your body repairs its muscles and "defragment" your day's experience. Sleeping about 7-8 hours a day can help you also to lose weight. Also, preferably drink water because nothing is better than the natural stuff to keep you body hydrated. Water is the most important substance along with oxygen that our muscles need to burn fat and transport necessary nutrients. Say no to soda (and anything man made such as junk food)! if you are serious about losing weight then you need to seriously change your diet. The secret to weight loss, which I will not charge you for, is DISCIPLINE! Constantly swim and constantly eat healthy. Do not take a break because "REST IS RUST" - Matthew M.

Friday, April 13, 2007, 12:33 AM

My Thoughs

I enjoy the breaststroke for a few reasons. First, it is easier on my bad shoulders. Second, I work out at a YMCA where the pool is not open to lap swim at all times. Combined with my wegith training, it is hard for me to coordinate doing crawl on lower body lifting day. Finally, and maybe this is a mental block, but I can kick off at the end of the lap on breaststroke much more easily than I can on the crawl. At about 15 minutes, I just start spacing out (maybe this is meditation) and barely realize that I am still swimming.

And no, I am not just treading water.

Good luck to you! Don't be scared to stop at the end of your lap when you begin; just keep pushing yourself to do a little more each day.

Finally, be sure to breathe out underwater so you can breath in when above water.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007, 12:29 AM

Ex- competitive swimmer

I used to be a competitive swimmer but I had to quit a couple of years ago due to injury.
Now while I dont know whether freestyle or breaststroke burns more calories what I can say is that breaststroke takes coordination and if you are just starting out freestyle is the way to go! Breaststroke is also hard on the knees (i'm knock-kneed so double the roughness)

A few tips are do not go for speed but for distance. It's not how many laps you do in 1 minute. And while you may not feel dehydrated you loose so much water so a gallon jug is ideal.

Kick sets are awesome! If you can invest in one thing it would be a kickboard. you can do a set of: 75 (3 laps) medium fast kicks followed by 25 (1 lap) sprint. repeat 3 times.

The hair dilemma: your hair will not be that damaged if you are worried put in leave in conditioner and put your hair in a cap. For sensitive heads I reccomend silicone caps. and don't forget to put baby powder after you dry your cap to maintain it.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007, 12:46 AM

I'm a beginner swimmer with a sore neck due to degenerative disks that make it hard to turn my head sideways very fast. I'm thinking of just using a snorkle so I can keep my face down while I do my laps. What do you think about this strategy (no comments on the dorkiness factor... I'm way too old to care)?

Friday, June 1, 2007, 11:11 PM

I think you should consider the backstroke - no head-turning involved and it's awesome for your lower back, and no stress for your neck. Otherwise, knock yourself out - could be fun to get a rep as the Crazy Snorkel Lady.

Friday, June 1, 2007, 11:23 PM

To 11:11 with the degenerative disc problem. Breast stroke may work too because you aren't turning. I lake swim with glasses on (glasses strap too) so I smiled about your dorkiness comment. Yay swimmers who are dorks...may we fill the waters!

Monday, June 4, 2007, 1:31 PM

There is no such stroke as "freestyle". The breast-stroke IS what most people commonly think of when they refer "freestyle". The word literally means whatever stroke you choose to do, however, in competition most people choose breast stroke because it is one of the faster strokes to use.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007, 8:34 PM

Re chlorine in hair, I read that a simple way to protect your hair is to wet it in the shower before you get in the pool. Dry hair absorbs water like a sponge. If you fill the hair's pores up with water from the shower, it won't be able to absorb as much chlorinated water.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007, 9:12 PM

I can definitely vouch for the Butterfly being one tough stroke that really works you out....but it is also very difficult to do for long if your body is not properly trained... It works out your shoulders intensely... (hence the beautiful triangular bodies on male swimmers... For women, we just get more "square" to balance out our hips.)

I prefer to do the crawl (Freestyle) when I'm swimming because I feel like I go faster with it..

But, I also like to mix things up - i.e. 3 lengths crawl/freestyle and 1 length breast stroke - it helps particularly if I haven't been swimming for a long time. :-) The Breast STroke gives me a "rest" so that I can swim longer. :-)

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 12:53 AM

I would base it on your own personal level and preference. Swimming is often said to be an AMAZING workout for the entire body (you really work everything). And as for the the "less fat = less boyancy" thing, that just means you'll be working harder automatically as you start to gain muscle..almost like an auto-intensity upper, in my opinion.

For me (I've been on a high school swim team for some time) some nice work out is: usually start off with a a few laps freestyle for warm up (100-200 meters?) and then try alternating strokes, each for about 100 meters, that way you work everything (butterfly = AMAZING for abs...and if you aren't up for doing it, try using flippers at first...it makes everything easier).

But really, when people ask for swimming/running work outs, it bases itself a LOT on personal fitness. See what works for you =)

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 1:19 PM

hair problem

This is my second year on the swim team but i really want to dye my hair and i don't no if i should do it. And I'm talking full out dye not just highlights

Any help on how to better treat my hair if i do it. Any tips or tricks to keep my hair from fading or any other damage.

By the way swimming starts two days after i would do it, i dont no if this would affect anything.

Friday, November 2, 2007, 7:01 PM

swimming and hair

I was a swimmer for many years. I find that the best thing you can do for you hair is to put a little bit of conditioner in it and then cover it with a bathing cap. (that way not much water gets in and the conditioner protects your hair from the chlorine that does get in). Then when you get out of the pool, spray your hair with alka seltzer. (Dissolve two alka seltzer tablets in water and put it in a spray bottle before hand). This sounds weird, but it totally neutralizes the chlorine. It's awesome. Then wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner like normal.

Friday, November 2, 2007, 9:20 PM

Thanks for the tip. I wet my hair before putting the cap on but had never heard of using alka-selzer.

Friday, November 2, 2007, 9:46 PM

I'd be careful with putting conditioner on hair when you're about to enter a public pool. That's really rude. I get SO pissed off when I go to take a breath and nearly choke on the scent of someone's toiletries.

Opt instead for something like a frizz serum that has no scent. It will coat your hair and reduce water absorbtion.

As for workouts, mine is : 500m front crawl, 500m kick, 500m dolphin kick, 500m crawl w hand paddles, 500m pulls w paddles, 500m front crawl. Takes between 55-60 minutes.

Saturday, November 3, 2007, 6:42 AM

At high intensity, Yes!

Any exercise at high intensity is good for fat loss. Maintaining an elevated heart rate for 30-60 min will burn fat. I am a swimmer and would never discourage someone from swimming, however running is more efficient. Running burns more calories per time spent! You should also consider weight training!

cole

Link

Saturday, November 3, 2007, 10:58 AM

Swimming is great for you! My legs plump up no matter what cardio i do, so i do yoga to keep the muscles slimmer.

Wednesday, November 7, 2007, 5:31 PM

I absolutely love to swim and have since I was little. However, the six months that I decided swimming would be my 3x a week activity, I bulked up. I can swim 50 laps and still not feel like I've burned as much energy as a half hour on the treadmill or on weights. So now I just keep swimming as a fun every now and then thing, like ice skating. I don't consider it serious exercise, though.

Thursday, November 8, 2007, 1:22 PM

I used to be a competitive swimmer and it's true that swimmers do have a hoigher level of body fat than other endurance athletes (cyclists, runners, triathletes etc) but it's still great exercise. If your goal is to lose weight just mix it up a bit with other workouts (treadmill, bike etc) - that way you'll get the best of both worlds!

Saturday, November 10, 2007, 5:18 AM

hyperextending back

I sink I tried everything, leaning into the water, (swim immersion) trying not to swim flat, so I reach for wall, nothing works, but before i call it quits, I'm thinking of swimming with a belt to keep me a float, ( tried flloater between the legs that hurt more) any suggestions or maybe back stroke I won't sink too much. I'm only 4"10 and 90 pounds, so alot of equipment I use juniors.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008, 7:15 PM

try water wings

Tuesday, January 1, 2008, 7:22 PM

skin vs chlorine

Any swimmers got any remedies for those of us whose skin does not like the chlorine?

Tuesday, January 1, 2008, 10:12 PM

salt water pools. You can call to see if there are any in your city.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008, 11:50 PM

14 years as a competitive swimmer, and just read all comments. there a few misconceptions, one being that swimmers have an extra layer. not true. when i was at my best, swimming about 9 times a week i was solid muscle and basically ate whetever was in front of me. however, the key was to adding some extra in, dryland as swimmers call it. just some jumping jacks, pushups, situps, and maybe a tiny bit of running, nothing much, just builds up other parts.
and to the comment above about breaststoke being the fastest and that's why it is chosen as freestyle, you are slightly confused. yes, in freestyle you can choose whaterver stroke you'd like, but most choose the "crawl" which we associate with free now.
try sets of 200's for a workout. like 200 warmup, 200 kick with a board or without, 200 of drills, 200 with some sprints and build and so on and then a 200 warm down.
also, try getting maybe a private lesson or 2 to get the technique, just like lifting weights form is really important. and learn all of the strokes to mix it up and build more muscle groups.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008, 2:04 AM

to those who's skin doesn't like chlorine: rub a good layer of almond oil into your skin about 15-30 min prior to entering the pool (if your skin isn't too dry- otherwise, moisturize, then put oil on 15 min after).

The oil will act as a bit of a barrier so that the chlorine doesn't penetrate as much. Sometimes all the itching and redness is because you went in there with dry skin and it just soaks up all the water- bad. However, when I'm swimming regularly, my skin is actually it's best because then I take the time to ensure it's always always well moisturized.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008, 8:29 PM

what?

Friday, May 9, 2008, 7:17 PM

calories burned while swimming

what burns more calories, heads up crawl or heads down crawl

Tuesday, June 17, 2008, 10:59 AM

calories burned

what takes more calories to burn, heads up crawl or heads down crawl

Tuesday, June 17, 2008, 11:12 AM

heads up crawl is going to keep your body out of alignment, and can cause neck and back aches. Besides that, it's ugly and awkward. If you want to keep your head out of the water, do a breast stroke.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008, 12:52 PM

heads up crawl

well I do heads up because I only have an hour and I try not to get my hair wet..haha...I do four lengths, heads up, four lengths breast and four lengths flutter kick, then I do half the pool lenghts of 8 legs only travel tread water, 8 lengths of half the pool of arms only travel tread water and I do 100 splits holding onto the pool and then 100 straight leg kicks for each leg holding onto the pool side. I do all these to try and tone up my legs and arms abit. If I have time and theres room in the pool to do so I jog 10 times back and forth doing the width of the pool. Man its so nice to talk to someone about this, do you think this program of mine will help, have been doing it for about 5 months now, every other day I do the gym. I usually get four days in, the odd five days if work permits...I am 57 used to be a competitive swimmer years ago, so swimming is not hard for me...just trying to loose some weight and tone up but age has not been kind to my legs, used to jog now have a knee replacement...what are your views on this program of mine..tks in advance.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008, 7:55 AM

extra fat layer not really a myth

The difference between swimming and other exercises is that when running or dancing our temperature rises. The increase in body temperature dampens the appetite. Swimming drives the body temp up just as any sport would, but the water cools us down so we still have an appetite after working out. A ravenous appetite if I recall from my swim team days! We used to swim 3 miles per day and yet everyone was fat from the post workout carbo-loading.
Just keep away from the chow after your workout and you'll be fine!

Wednesday, June 18, 2008, 8:56 PM

swimming strokes

Not interested really about the fat layer thing wanted to know about my swim program and heads up crawl etc.....question

Thursday, June 19, 2008, 11:25 AM

heads up crawl/vs regular crawl

still waiting for some guidance on my swim program and which burns more calories, heads up or head down...

Thursday, June 19, 2008, 2:45 PM

I highly doubt anyone will be able to give you an answer as there's probably never been any test do so.

As someone pointed out, heads up crawl has negative effects, so why would you want to do it?

WIth heads down, you're more aerodynamic (Or would that be hydrodynamic?) so there's less resistance. That would mean less calories burned. However, your body should be able to last longer heads down as it's not going to injure or strain your body, permitting you to do it longer- which would mean more calories. It's also incredibly difficult to build up speed doing a heads up crawl without getting your hair wet, which would mean you can't be working yourself as hard as a heads down crawl.

There is no worthwhile benefit to doing a heads up crawl over a heads down crawl.

Thursday, June 19, 2008, 7:17 PM

Don't do head up front crawl. Like previous posters have said, it's not good for your spine or neck. I don't know for sure if head down front crawl burns more calories (it's probably not that much difference either way), but I think it's easier to swim harder and longer with your head down, which would burn more calories in the long run. Also, it forces you to breathe more efficiently.

Thursday, June 19, 2008, 7:39 PM

heads up

tks for your input, depressing actually, I find it way harder to do heads up as I was a competitive swimmer and doing a racing crawl is easy for me so I need to do twice as many, heads up is very hard to do for me so thought I was getting a better workout, hmmm, will have to change something maybe I will do more breast and more flutter kicks, just cannot get my hair too wet as I have to go back to work and drying it everyday, twice a day is just not in the cards for me, will figuer something out...funny when I used to train years ago, I'm 57 now, our coach used to make us doing a racing heads up crawl, about 20, before we started in on the freestyle, killer then, its a killer now for me, will just re-do my workout, I only swim every other day but seem to be toning up after six months so attest it to the swimming not the gym time....

Friday, June 20, 2008, 10:43 AM

sinking in the water

try looking straight down at the bottom of the pool. when you stand, you don't look up all the time, you look straight ahead. when you lift your head in the pool, your balance gets off and your legs will sink. try keeping you whole face pointing to the bottom of the pool. it totally helps. good luck.

Sunday, June 14, 2009, 11:39 PM

Swimming Strokes

Any swimming stroke will provide good exercise, but you want to use a range of different swimming strokes to get the maximum effect. A competitive swimmer in full training typically has a very cut, well defined, well-muscled body -- but a such a swimmer is also swimming 6 to 8 hours or more a day, plus dryland workouts.

Link

Thursday, January 21, 2010, 10:15 PM

Will half an hour a day of swimming provide enough exercise to counter the effects of spending the other 10 hours working on accounting software?

Link

Thursday, January 21, 2010, 10:32 PM

i worry about the chemicals. It is a great workout, but I wonder if other exercise where you aren't absorbing the chlorine is better?

Wednesday, October 26, 2011, 11:58 AM

I swim eight days a week and when I started swimming I lost weight. When swimming is your sport you do not lose anymore weight. You can shed a pound or two at practice. But you get to a point where you will gain weight but it wont show on the outside. If you practice as much as I do you will gain weight but usually you are gaining weight because of the muscle that are developing. I hope this helped!!!

Wednesday, June 6, 2012, 11:28 AM

Now im no doctor, but i have competed in some hard hitting sports, from crashing mottor cars on the race track, falling of motor bikes, to Judo, JKA and boxing, plus cyceling. best training i ever came across for weight loss and all round strength and tone, fat burn was boxing training.. thats the bottom line nothing better.. but i was always aware of the L4 and L5 calapsed dics in my lower back, i have a constant reminder of this every time i move. im 48 now.. still, hit the bag, skipping is a must, still do some light weights, high reps, do some spinning, and circute training, "NO FREE WEIGHTS" cause this can just twist you the wrong way.. BUT WHAT I WANT TO SAY IS! i just found SWIMMING! and for the first time ever, with the movement in the water and the luxury of the water supporting your body, i have gained more flexability and movment in my lower back, swimming has allowed me to both strengthen, stretch, and heal my ijuries like nothing elss. and it is threw only swimming that has allowed me to keep up the boxing traning, and the other activities, my thought on this is, that with keeping the joints moving and flexable rather than letting them get stuck in one place, or trying to keep them in one place, the body is able to mannage its mobility and healing better.. I also fund that with not moving and flexing, plus stretching, which can all be done safly in water, the mussels srink, and contract, and then one day you move in the wrong direction too much that your boddy has restricted itself, and then your man down... i cant believe the new life i have back agoing in all the activities i like to do, all thanks to the swimmng.. so, dont worry about the extra kg or so, or the hunger you might feel, these are all good signes that your body is alive..

Monday, October 8, 2012, 7:11 AM

Related Content: How To Lose Weight- The Basics Weight Watchers Points System The Fat Smash Diet The Eat To Live Diet The Beck Diet Solution How To Get The Motivation To Lose Weight		How To Be Successful Using PEERtrainer How To Burn Fat Online Weight Loss Support- How It Works Does Green Tea Help You Lose Weight? Tips On Using PEERtrainer Visit The PEERtrainer Community Diet and Fitness Resources
Fitness Weight Watchers Meetings Learning To Inspire Others: You Already Are Writing Down Your Daily Workouts Spending Money On A Personal Trainer? How I Became A Marathon Runner		Preventive Health How To Prevent Injuries During Your Workout Flu Season: Should You Take The Flu Shot? Are You Really Ready To Start PEERtrainer? Super Foods That Can Boost Your Energy Reversing Disease Through Nutrition
New Diet and Fitness Articles: Weight Watchers Points Plus How To Adjust Your Body To Exercise New: Weight Watchers Momentum Program New: PEERtrainer Blog Archive Review Of The New Weight Watchers Momentum Program		Weight Loss Motivation by Joshua Wayne: Why Simple Goal Setting Is Not Enough How To Delay Short Term Gratification How To Stay Motivated How To Exercise With A Busy Schedule
Real World Nutrition and Fitness Questions Can Weight Lifting Help You Lose Weight? Are Protein Drinks Safe? Nutrition As Medicine?		Everyday Weight Loss Tips How To Eat Healthy At A Party How To Eat Out And Still Lose Weight The Three Bite Rule Tips On How To Stop A Binge