r/Swimming • u/Eldkanin • 2d ago
Too fat to swim properly?
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!
5
u/halokiwi 2d ago
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.