Back to Where it All Started

Swimming.

That’s where my journey started: in the over-chlorinated, crowded community pool by my apartment. I was 250 pounds, self-conscious about being seen in my swimsuit, and determined to lose 100 pounds.

I’d always been a good swimmer; I was on a swim team in middle school at the local pool (not the school) and then I did synchronized swimming. I picked swimming because it was something I always loved doing.

Getting back in the pool was hard. I was so obese and out of shape I could barely swim down the lane. I had to rest at the other end before heading back down. I rested a lot.

I kept at it. I got a lot better. I was suddenly swimming the length of the pool and back without stopping. I kept getting better. The weight kept coming off. Swimming was magical!

When I was 250, I’d burn between 500-800 calories swimming. It was cool to see such progress! The smaller I got, the less I burned. That was disappointing but I kept doing it because I loved swimming and it was WORKING.

Me After losing 50 Pounds

It wasn’t until I was close to goal weight that I started running. Once I started–I didn’t stop. I ran hard, I ran a lot. I followed the general rule of not increasing speed or distance more than 10%. I cross-trained a lot. I stretched.

I still got injured.

When I started training for Hood to Coast last year I reduced my swimming routine from 3-4 times a week to just twice a week. Those other workouts turned into running days.

So in light of my recent injury, I’m upping my swimming. I’m going “back to basics”–back where it all started. Swimming is the best exercise for someone injured or in pain. There’s no impact, it’s good for the joints and muscles, it doesn’t hurt.

No running. Limited activity involving my legs (like the elliptical). I admit I am a cardio junkie. This will be a bigger challenge than losing all my weight. But I’m going to do it and I’m going to let my knee rest and heal.

I will swim. I will do weights (upper body only). I will do ab work. I hope that helps.

Swimming Pool at Sunriver, Oregon

I have a doctor appointment on Monday. My doctor said to keep swimming but no hiking and no running until she sees me. She lectured me with a very stern voice saying “NO RUNNING!!!!!” Okay, okay! I don’t plan on it but thanks for properly frightening me!

Hot Tub in the Snow- Sunriver, Oregon

She said to sit in the hot tub after swimming. She said to ice my knee and alternate with a heating pad until Monday.

QUESTION: Do you listen to your body when it tells you to rest?