running vs. swimming

It's interesting that you say the body holds on to every ounce while
swimming. My one son swam on a year round swim team for three years and
practiced 3-4 times per week (depending on age). This is when he gained a
lot of weight and I asked his allergist once how in the world this could be
and she commented off handedly that it is very difficult to lose weight by
swimming and in fact some studies show that you gain body fat. She was very
rushed and we really didn't have time for more and every other doctor I've
asked has looked at me sideways when I mention this. I've always wondered
about this. (No, I don't think his weight gain was caused by the swimming,
but I've always wondered about her comment) Elise.
"MH" wrote in message
news

"Jennifer Austin" wrote in message
...
I had an enlightening experience on the road last weekend. Normally I
run
4
times a week, 3-4 miles at about a 10-min mile pace as one component of
my
overall routine. Last Saturday I was too tired to run at 5:30 AM
(stayed
up
to watch the game) so I decided I would run in the evening after class.
It
didn't happen because it got late with stuff I had to do. I was in a
hotel
with a small pool and strangely enough the pool was deserted so I
figured
I'd swim for 30 minutes in addition to some power yoga and dumbell work
in
my room.

The pool was so small that it only took about 6 strokes to get from one
side
to the other. I kept sinking and couldn't keep my head high enough to
breathe at times. I used to swim and know the mechanics of the strokes
but
had to move quickly in order to stay afloat. Needless to say, I was
exhausted in less than 10 minutes. I couldn't believe how tired I was
already. I ended up running laps in the pool for another 10 minutes and
then swimming again for a while.

I don't care much for swimming, but the workout was so difficult that
now
I've decided I must conquer this. Fortunately the resorts in town sell
memberships to their pools during the winter (off-season) and I found a
place that has treadmills, bikes, and ellipticals (mroe than the local
fitness center) in addition to decent sized pool and after reading the
posts
about varying the cardio (which I agree with 100%) I think this is worth
a
shot. Just trying to get DH to join with me

Jenn
300/147

I was a competitive swimmer in high school: distance (400 meter) &
butterfly. I had enormous upper body strength. Unlike when I was distance
running, I was hungry all the time. When one swims, the body tries to hold
on to every ounce. It is a great cardio workout, though, especially when
combined with running or walking.

Martha

"Cox SMTP east" wrote in message
news:LTFkb.19820$iq3.17525@okepread01...
It's interesting that you say the body holds on to every ounce while
swimming. My one son swam on a year round swim team for three years and
practiced 3-4 times per week (depending on age). This is when he gained a
lot of weight and I asked his allergist once how in the world this could
be
and she commented off handedly that it is very difficult to lose weight by
swimming and in fact some studies show that you gain body fat. She was
very
rushed and we really didn't have time for more and every other doctor I've
asked has looked at me sideways when I mention this. I've always wondered
about this. (No, I don't think his weight gain was caused by the
swimming,
but I've always wondered about her comment) Elise.

You ever see a skinny seal? : )

When mammals are in water, the fat helps with buoyancy and protects against
the cold. If you look at athletic swimmers, they're quite fit, but not
really thin, like distance runners.

Compare an elephant and a gazelle. Not built the same, are they? Yet, they
fit their environment perfectly. Male elephant seals weight 2000 lbs and are
clumsy on the ground. Yet, in water, they are as beautiful and elegant as
ballet dancers.

Martha

"Cox SMTP east" wrote in message
news:LTFkb.19820$iq3.17525@okepread01...
It's interesting that you say the body holds on to every ounce while
swimming. My one son swam on a year round swim team for three years and
practiced 3-4 times per week (depending on age). This is when he gained a
lot of weight and I asked his allergist once how in the world this could
be
and she commented off handedly that it is very difficult to lose weight by
swimming and in fact some studies show that you gain body fat. She was
very
rushed and we really didn't have time for more and every other doctor I've
asked has looked at me sideways when I mention this. I've always wondered
about this. (No, I don't think his weight gain was caused by the
swimming,
but I've always wondered about her comment) Elise.

Dr. Covert Bailey discusses this in one of his books. I don't remember
which one, though. He states that swimming is not a good exercise to do if
you're using it as your only exercise to lose weight, IIRC.

Maybe it's because I'm not
a very strong swimmer and can only do breast stroke.

I'm not the strongest swimmer, either, but you could certainly also do
the back stroke. Or, even get yourself a snorkle set and swim the
front crawl (or freestyle) stroke without taking breaths. To work
your legs more, get a kickboard (most gym polls have them provided for
free) and do several laps by just kicking, gradually adding more laps,
etc.

On Sun, 19 Oct 2003 21:54:20 GMT, "MH"
wrote:


"janice" wrote in message
.. .
Jenn, I don't do running but I do some serious walking, and I also go
swimming about once a week.
I find the two types of exercise affect me in completely different
ways, and I regard them as complementary. Maybe it's because I'm not
a very strong swimmer and can only do breast stroke. I find this very
hard work for the upper arms, shoulders and chest muscles but it
hardly works my legs at all.

Really? Then you're not kicking hard enough. The breast stroke, as well as
the crawl sprint and backstroke are the three races made for swimmers with
strong legs. Kick harder the next time you swim, push as hard as you can
with your legs. I was never a strong breast stroker beacuse my upper body
was much stronger than my legs in high school.

Either that, or learn the crawl and then do some distance swimming.

Martha

I wish I found it that easy!! It took me years of lessons from
childhood onwards until in my late 30s I finally managed to swim the
first few strokes. I've since tried to master other strokes but I
seem to be too lacking in water confidence and panic if I try to float
or swim on my back. I do, however, spend some time while I'm at the
pool holding on to the bar and kicking my legs hard and "cycling" in
the water. I also do quite a lot of whole day walks so hope this
helps to redress the balance.
Good for you Martha on the rock climbing idea. This is one of the
things I can safely say I will never do

janice
233/161/133

Dr. Covert Bailey discusses this in one of his books. I don't
remember
which one, though. He states that swimming is not a good exercise to
do if
you're using it as your only exercise to lose weight, IIRC.





YES, i remember him on an infomercial making that RIDICULOUS statement!

"rosie read and post" wrote in message
...

Dr. Covert Bailey discusses this in one of his books. I don't
remember
which one, though. He states that swimming is not a good exercise to
do if
you're using it as your only exercise to lose weight, IIRC.





YES, i remember him on an infomercial making that RIDICULOUS statement!

It's not ridiculous at all. It's quite true. If all your workout consists of
is swimming, you will have a harder time losing weight than one who runs,
for example.

Martha