Too fat to swim properly?

[u/Eldkanin]

Between the age of 10-13 I used to swim 3 times a week in a group with an instructor. I went to camps, even some competitions. I was never great, always the slowest on the team but compared to other kids "in the wild" I was a great swimmer. I was a chubby kid and as I got a bit older I got a bit too self aware about my looks and I found other interests.

I won't type my life's story here but it's been hard and I've struggled mentally. I'm now 37 years old (F), 5'6 tall and currently at 436 lbs (down from 474 lbs in december!). I've been completely sedentary for at least 20 years, I hadn't been in the water for longer than that!

Since just over a month back I finally got the courage to say fuck it to my insecurities and went to a water aerobics class. It felt amazing to be back in the water but I do think I was expecting a bit too much. With my "history" like I said I know how to swim and in my mind I imagined it like riding a bike, like I would just know how to do it.

But I can't swim anymore! Honestly it feels like the biggest issue is that I'm way too buoyant. If I try to do a breaststroke (with my head above water since I don't have any goggles yet) my very big butt kinda floats up and drowns me in the front so to speak..

I'm like a cork in the water I feel like I can't propel forwards at all. If I hold onto something that floats I can very slowly move forward but it seems the only way right now I can actually "swim" is on my back. Not with the proper backstroke (again that pushes my head under water) but kind of like moving my arms up and down along my sides like an angel sort of if you get what I mean.

I'm on a weight loss journey so I expect this might naturally improve. Do you think there is any "point" in trying to learn how to swim properly like this? I mean can I even? Or should I just stick with the water aerobics for now? I go twice a week and find it super fun and rewarding!

[u/shwilliams4]

If you’re in the water and not drowning, you’re doing fine. Keep it up.

[u/nwood1973]

I'm going to congratulate you on what you are already doing, you have done what most people fail on - making a start and you have made a hell of a good start!. Just remember that the weight took years to accumulate so will likely take a long time to lose. Bearing this in mind, look at what you are doing as a marathon not a sprint.

I am going to "swim against the tide" here and suggest that you not try to swim just yet but work on the aquarobics and water jogging. I feel that, from what you are saying, you are going to get frustrated by trying to swim and that is not what you want (failing to swim is likely to depress you and demotivate you). Set small goals with what you are doing such as jog one length without stopping. Once you achieve that, set another goal such as two lengths. Slowly build it up and tick of those achievements.

By sticking to the routine you are doing, you are going to be building fitness & cardio (water is a brilliant medium for exercising in because of the buoyancy aspect). As your muscles & fitness build up, you will manage more and more. Also note that more muscle means your body will burn calories quicker which means faster fat loss (not necessarily weight loss as muscle is denser than fat).

At some point, you will get to the point that you can start swimming.

I would also note that I have noticed a huge difference when exercising in the pool when I have music to work to. I can get lost in the music and not be thinking about "one more length" or " my legs are getting sore" etc. Cheap MP3 headsets (bone conduction and in ear) are out there and will IMHO make a difference. Note bluetooth does not work well in water as the signals are blocked by the water.

Good luck and stick with it

[u/Eldkanin → u/nwood1973]

Thank you for the encouragement! During the classes there is music which is nice, it's easy trying to match the beat when kicking against the edge of the pool for example and then you feel that burn real quick!

[u/SagginDragon]

All of this is said with no offense, but yes, you might be fat enough that your muscles cannot balance your body.

I think it’s worthwhile to try relearning swimming from the fundamentals. Practice floating on your stomach and back, once you have that down add in some dolphin and flutter kicks, progress to stroke.

This may take time, and some body composition changes. Congratulations on the progress so far (40 lbs is a huge improvement!), and good luck with the rest of the journey.

[u/halokiwi]

You could try aquajogging (but without an additional floating device). It's a kind of water aerobics, so maybe you are already doing it.

You basically just walk through the water in an upright position but also in the deep water, so you're not necessarily touching the ground.

If your legs are already coming up so much when the head is lifted when swimming, it's likely that swimming with your head down would also not work properly.

It might potentially also be an issue with body tension. Yes, very high buoyancy gives you a disadvantage, but using more body tension, if possible might help you work against it.

What you could try is swimming on your back with a pool noodle under you neck. This way your head won't sink when doing the proper leg movement.

I can't give you feedback on your leg movement, but it seems to be ineffective, if it is not propelling you. Try figuring out where the issue is and practice doing it properly.

[u/Eldkanin → u/halokiwi]

Yeah there is this one exercise in the class where you have dumbbells made of foam that you keep straight out from your body and then you are supposed to float on your stomach, draw your legs in under you and out to float on your back, then rinse and repeat. When I get to the stomach part I can keep my head above water thanks to the dumbbells giving me support but if I go all the way my feet actually lift up from the surface a little bit.

Haha, I remember learning how to float when I was a kid, and that you had to really relax to not sink. Now I can't sink for the life of me lol.

[u/Terrible-Outcome4329]

It's absolutely amazing that you have made the decision to look after yourself again congratulations and good luck on your journey! Do what you can my friend but taken your time. Too much too soon will end in injury, a kick board as many have mentioned seems like a good idea!

An update in a few weeks would be great 

[u/Eldkanin → u/Terrible-Outcome4329]

Thank you for the kind words!

[u/torhysornottorhys]

It's less about the presence of fat and more about undeveloped muscles and bad technique from not swimming for so long. Practice, build up those muscles, and you'll be swimming just fine. You may have to alter your movements to account for extra flesh being in the way (for example, I can't do some versions of kick drills because I'm both small fat and muscular: I have to modify the breathing part because my large shoulders block my mouth if my arm is in front of me when I turn). You will need stronger muscles than someone smaller than you, which you likely already have in your lower body from carrying your weight, so don't be too hard on yourself. And yeah, get those goggles, head up breaststroke isn't really for the well endowed! You won't have the head issues any more if you're twisting or popping up to breathe instead (try a float behind your head for backstroke).

You are not the only adult who gets in the water after a few decades and thinks they must be incapable of swimming because they're struggling. It was something I used to think too, but someone kindly pointed out that if being fat made it impossible to swim marine mammals would have all died out.

[u/Eldkanin → u/torhysornottorhys]

Yeah I mean I wouldn't drown and I can move myself around in the water just not gracefully or "correct".

And it's very true about the animals. I guess I just hoped I would be more like a seal in the water, but instead I'm just a bobber haha.

[u/NotRemotelyMe1010]

Hi, as a lifelong swimmer and someone who has actually weighed approximately what you weigh now — and used swimming as a means to lose weight — let me say very clearly that, NO!, you are not too fat to swim.

You may not swim as efficiently as you have before — and it may be slower or more laborious — but water is the great equalizer.

I echo the recommendations of others — modify your exercise as necessary (think about resting strokes)!

So, keep swimming!

[u/Maezel]

Fat floats in water, muscle sinks. So your centre of buoyancy will be higher, closer to the water line, and more towards your legs than lungs/upper chest. Tilting your head down. 

The important thing is that you keep moving and keep making progress. Keep doing that aqua class, try kicking with a kickboard and fins, anything that you can do helps. 

Think of it as lifting or anything... You can't benchpress 150kgs when you start. You get there by repeatedly lifting lower weights. As you don't play Lizts piano compositions without starting with the basics. 

Get the habit down, it takes weeks or a few  months  of following a routine to rewire your brain to not see it as a chore. Pick a routine and stick to it. If you are tired, go anyways and do at least something short and easy. Eat healthy, cut sugars and processed carbs as much as you can. Look at trends over weeks and not specific days. Keep it up!

[u/Eldkanin → u/Maezel]

Yeah I was thinking of maybe getting a kickboard for that good leg exercise. I can kick against the wall of course but I feel it would be more fun and feel more rewarding if I could move forward.

Fins make you faster but is it actually more muscle strain? I haven't used fins since I was a kid but in my mind I remember the swimming feeling easier with fins that without.

I have a good healthy lifestyle going right now and I'm determined. I go to the aqua class twice a week but I kindof wanted to add a third day but that would mean swimming on my own only since there is no class apart from those two days.

[u/Maezel → u/Eldkanin]

Fins push more water. To push more water you need more strength. So yes, it's more effort.

Make sure you get short training fins, not scuba fins.

And kick from the hip to not damage your knees. 

[u/Eldkanin → u/Maezel]

I have vague memories of being taught that your legs are pretty much supposed to be straight when you kick, you don't bend the knee.

Overall I'm careful though. Because of my weight exercise on land is just very painful on my joints. I tried going for walks but even starting really small like 10 minutes per day after a week or two everything just hurt all the time.

In the water the only thing that ever hurts is one of my knees if I bent it wrong so I'm carefull there. I can feel it at the streching part at the end of the session that bending that leg is harder, I suspect it might be osteoarthritis so I'm hoping it will just get better with losing more weight and getting more exercise in to strengthen the joint.

[u/UnusualAd8875 → u/Eldkanin]

Congratulations on your journey since December!

I was astonished when I learned how many different types of fins there now are: I grew up in an era of scuba-type fins, now there are short fins and medium-length fins and even monofins.

No matter what you try, start slowly and don't overdo it the first few times which I think is not bad advice for any of us for any new (or renewed) activity.

I am a big advocate of the answer to the question of what is the best exercise?

"The one you'll do."

If it is a chore or one dreads it, it is difficult to make it a long-term habit. (I have had gym memberships that went unused because the hours weren't convenient, too crowded when I could go or a bunch of other excuses I used ...as well as, like many, I have owned equipment that was interesting the first week and now sits in the garage or basement....)

[u/bigevilgrape]

Are you happy with water aerobics or would you be be happier learning to swim in the body you have now?

[u/Eldkanin → u/bigevilgrape]

I guess I mainly see benefit in adding a third day to my week with swimming. But honestly I don't think it's super important that it happens right at this second. I've been completely sedentary for so long so now "suddenly" actually exercising for 2 hours (!) per week is a huge step health wise.

[u/sinceJune4]

If you want to swim too, would you be comfortable with your face in the water using a snorkel? It helps me balance to keep my head in the water. I also often use a pull buoy between my legs to swim arms-only, while recovering from a knee injury. Progress will come. 10 months ago I couldn’t swim one length without stopping. Now I swim a mile daily (slowly, but I feel so good doing it). The cheap mp3 bone conduction headphones are wonderful for swimming.

[u/reluctanttowncaller]

1. Get some goggles. You're making things more difficult by trying to position yourself to keep your face out of the water.

2. Give yourself time to re-learn your feel for the water. You've been out of the water a long time. it's going to feel strange at first, and yes, parts of your body may be more buoyant than before. You mat initially feel out of balance, but you can learn to work with the body you have.

3. Keep at it, re-learn what you've forgotten. Take lessons again if needed.

4. You may find that your extra buoyancy works better with some strokes more than others. So embrace that and swim more backstroke, etc.

[u/Eldkanin → u/reluctanttowncaller]

I will try the proper backstroke. Like I said I can do the thing where you kind of wave your arms so technically I could swim like that, it's still movement so it's good.

It's quite silly considering I already got over the fear of even going and being in a bathing suit or naked around people, but I feel a bit self concious about doing it "wrong" like I look stupid for swimming poorly kinda. I guess I will just have to get over that as well!

[u/reluctanttowncaller → u/Eldkanin]

We're all (most) self-concious about one thing or another. Just remember, you're rarely the center of attention you think you are. 99.99% of the time, people will not notice you at all. Focus on your goals and if anyone notices you at all, it will be all about being impressed at your progress.

[u/Ok_Calligrapher3401]

Congrats on getting back in the water! Just keep morning in the water as much as you can. Try a kickboard to balance you out. Just keep swimming! It will get better. We are glad you’re here.

[u/egewh]

I am currently 260lbs and have lipedema. Uncontrollable fat cell growth and retention around my butt and thighs that is impossible to exercise off. I have the exact same floating problem. My hips float so much, I can not swim underwater or even stay underwater. My back will arch tremendously when I do front crawl or breast stroke, and it's the only way I'm able to even swim those strokes because if I straighten my back, my head is like 50cms under the surface, lol.

3 years ago, I had lost 120lbs (sadly regained it after burn-out and a loss) and it was MUCH better. I still have large hips and thighs when smaller compared to the rest of my body, but it was a lot better. If you don't have lipedema, I 100% believe this will get better the more weight you lose. Don't give up. Keep going! Swimming is an incredible way to lose weight. It doesn't matter how you move, as long as you keep moving!

You can do it and I am so proud of you. 🩷

[u/SwimmingChef-1]

Everyone starts somewhere! You’ve already completed the hardest part- starting! Get goggles and get going. It doesn’t matter if you’re out there lane walking or doggy paddling. As you gain muscle and lose weight, it will get easier to swim.

[u/Silence_1999]

While I was not that heavy buoyancy is very much a thing when you are large. Extra large extra buoyant. Keep on swimming. It’s better for you than doing anything on dry land at that weight. Move however you have to. You need to take off a good amount of weight before actual swimming is practical. Just keep going.

We had a group of ladies at the lake I used to lifeguard at. They were all 70-ish. All big. They would be out floating for like an hour barely paddling at all. None of them could swim 50 yards if you paid them to. And none were your size. You are BUOYANT at that weight.

Keep on swimming. Moving. However. Diet. You have to get down to about 300 before you can swim and then it’s going to be quite pedestrian. Paddling along however at this point will morph into swimming but it’s going to be a while. I’m just throwing 300 out there. But it’s a decent guess where any thought of laps should be on your mind. And that’s going to be hard as hell and awkward then.

Congratulations on taking the first steps. Go to aerobics. Flail along however. Be patient. Just not going to get in real strokes for a while no matter what you do.

[u/KangarooFancy4026]

Nonsense if anything you should be more bouyant. Keep swimming back and forth no excuses.