u/Bex453

My first post here was in mid-late March about how I quit swimming as a child because of my body. I would swim 3 days a week in spring to summer and 2 days a week in autumn and winter. As well do other sports. I did squads from the age of around 9.5-10 until I quit swimming at 12 almost 13.
I felt seen as fat and was becoming more and more uncomfortable having to get out of pool and self conscious etc.

Well I have now gone back to swimming and have done about 8 sessions and doing another one tonight in roughly 6 weeks and each session not only feels easier but I am getting better and going further.

Last night I got to 2.1km in 66 mins. I could’ve gone further as I had the energy but wanted to to shower and not leave too last minute before closing.

I have done butterfly, which was my best stroke as a kid. I am not great but surprisingly can still do it.

My time under water without coming up as I push off from the water is much better can do almost half a 25M pool, whereas when I started I could barely do 5M.

People said when I was a child and even now I had a natural swimming body like broad shoulders, long arms and long legs and I am wondering if that’s why I am partially finding it easy I am not sure.

Just wanted to say if it wasn’t for many of your guys support about 6-7 weeks ago I would have never made the plunge to go back to the sport I loved as a kid.

I have noticed my body has changed slightly too like I am gaining muscle on my upper arms. It’s just weird how fast things have come back so naturally after a 13-14 years hiatus of no swimming. 🏊‍♀️

Hi
So since I last wrote on here I have gone back swimming and have done five sessions in a month.

Below will be my stats from each of those sessions:

April was a busy month for me so didn’t get to do as much as I may have wanted to.
~
My first session in late March was me just taking it easy and seeing what I can and can’t do I guess.

March 27: 700m @ 6:20/100m
Butterfly 50M
Freestyle 150M
Breaststroke 200M
Backstroke 300M

Did 14 laps in a 50M pool in 44:20
I had to end it early to go to work
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Second session early April still taking it somewhat easy but also trying to push myself a bit

April 6: 1000m @ 5:50/100m
Breaststroke 200M
Backstroke 300M
Freestyle 500M

Did 20 laps in a 50M pool in 58:22
Can’t remember the reason but also couldn’t do longer than an hour
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Third session late April aka this last week, went before closing so could only do 1hr

April 26: 1500m @ ~4:14/100m
Breaststroke 300M
Backstroke 400M
Freestyle 750M

Did 30 laps in a 50M pool in 1:01:26, I pushed myself to do 30 laps and to try and go faster than before which I did
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Fourth session 3 days after the 3rd session, this last week, went after work so only had about 1 hr before closing

Apr 29: 1600m @ 3:48/100m
Breaststroke 250M
Backstroke 300M
Freestyle 1,050M

Did 32 laps in a 50M pool in 1:00:52, I did push myself even more and my breaststroke was becoming easier to do as I re-figured out my rhythm
~
My last session which was last night, also went after work and to a different pool so 25M in length which I did find even easier, also only had about 1 hr before closing.

May 1: 1600m @ 3:31/100m
Butterfly 100M
Breaststroke 225M
Backstroke 350M
Freestyle 925M

It being a 25M pool I did 64 laps in 56:18, was hoping to do more but the pool was closing. I found the 25M pool quite easy but especially at the start a bit more difficult to get into it as warm up felt really repetitive cause I did 20 laps of Freestyle instead of 10. I tried Butterfly again and found it enjoyable and easier in this pool, so may come back to this one for butterfly training. I also was pushing myself even harder as I wanted to do 34 laps at least before closing but just not quite yet. Maybe if I didn’t do butterfly I could’ve done the 34 laps.
~

Anyways just wanted to give an update and also if anyone has any tips or tricks would love to hear them. Currently struggling in backstroke keeping straight and sometimes struggling in my freestyle with breathing.
My breaststroke breathing and rhythm has gotten better slightly probably still need work.

So far haven’t felt over tired, sore or anything like that and it feels like it has all come back to me quite quickly and quite easily.

Thanks for the support in my original post to push me to get back into the water 🏊‍♀️

I am surprised how quickly swimming is becoming easier for me 🏊‍♀️