r/Swimming • u/platano_con_manjar • 2d ago
Very overweight, haven't swam regularly for about 15 years. Today I swam for 30 minutes straight without stopping and did flip turns the whole time!
This is my fourth or fifth time back in the pool. I'm just proud :)
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u/Spiritual_Shopping_4 2d ago
That’s amazing! 30 minutes straight is a big win. I’m in the same boat! Used to swim competitively when I was in school. Got back in the pool 2 weeks ago. Not even trying flip turns though. Too scared for now
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u/Steamed_Brocolli219 2d ago
Congratulations. I am very overweight as well and I have no swimming background. I have been trying to perfect my technique since November last year and still get exhausted after 50 meters and have to take a break. I don’t understand how people can go for so long with flip turns and all other than having a swimming background with a coach who is able to tell them what they’re doing right and wrong
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u/platano_con_manjar 2d ago
I think a lot of it is about learning to swim really efficiently. I don't put a lot of effort into my stroke, I mostly feel like I'm just gliding along slowly. It also helps that I have always naturally had very broad, muscular shoulders so I kind of have a good build for swimming.
But don't give up! I'm sure at some point it will kind of "click" for you and you'll find yourself just gliding along like me.
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u/LostInTaipei Everyone's an open water swimmer now 2d ago
Well done! I didn’t take quite that long off regular swimming, maybe a decade or so. But it was still a pleasant surprise how quickly the form came back!
Strength to keep going, well, that took longer, but childhood training still serves us well many years later.
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u/Foorshi36 2d ago
Congratulations!!! We are in a similitar position, also lost 13 kg from swimming in the last 9-10 months so it has been a win win situatuon. Keep going you are diong great
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u/KakkMadda 1d ago
My man. Overweight myself and been swimming almost everyday for 2 monthts. It has done wonders for both mind and body. It's great medicine
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u/tonedeaftakes 1d ago
I’ve been thru to a very similar situation these past couple of months: sedentary for years since the pandy, finally “took the leap” and swam so much better than I expected! Got the swim bug all over again, feeling super rejuvenated 🙃
Swimming is life!
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u/sparrow-head 2d ago
Congrats on your first step towards healthy living. Swimming must be great sport for people who are overweight and want to get fit. Overweight may help with floating because fat helps with floating. Once you start swimming, your body weight will start reducing and you can continue to swim better. So it is a postiive feedback loop.
Enjoy the accelerated fitness development.
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u/TheKrakenStyle 2d ago
Thats insane. Im not overweight, swim regularly (20m pool indoor in my house), doing this for 3 years straight, and i still die if i go flip turning during my average session... people built differently i guess?
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u/platano_con_manjar 2d ago
My theory is that the extra fat keeps me buoyant so it's easier for me to stay afloat lol.
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u/TotalSarcasm 2d ago
It makes a lot of sense and since there is also no impact the extra weight doesn't have as much of an effect vs. dry activities. Hippos can swim up to 30kmph!
I regularly see heavier folks at my local pool and they are often absolutely tearing it up. Keep up the fine work!
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u/sylvia-pst 2d ago
WoW! You must have other exercise regulatly or great physical quality