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Swimming: A Low-Impact Path to Weight Loss

Once a person has decided to lose weight and get into shape it will be a life changing decision. The first step is to see your doctor and let him/her become involved in your weight loss and fitness plans. Get the go ahead from them first, and share some realistic weight loss goals through sensible swimming sessions to lose weight.

swimming pool
swimming pool (Photo credit: freefotouk)

It doesn’t matter if one has a few pounds or a hundred or more pounds to loose, if you are not in the habit of exercise you need to take it slow and easy and work up to a more rigorous swimming exercise routine. Along with exercise comes a difficult challenge to everyone, and this is to make a lifestyle change with the foods eaten. It is not a good idea to make so many lifestyle changes all at once, however a more nutritious diet plan and an exercise plan go hand in hand. Be aware that when one is on any exercise/healthy eating plan you will initially see a weight loss and then, as the body starts to break down the excess fat, you may see a weight increase. Just keep with the exercise and nutrition plans as scheduled and know that this is normal.

One good way to step into the exercise arena is through swimming. Above ground pools are not expensive to purchase and if one already has an above ground pool then they are ahead of the game. Swimming for weight loss calls for a slow and easy swimming session of five to ten, fifteen or twenty minute sessions. One can increase the sessions by five minutes per week if this is comfortable. As one becomes more attuned to exercise then they can increase the number of workouts per week from three to five. Listening to your body is important, as pushing yourself too hard can cause over-exertion and even injury to your muscles.

Once in the pool be sure that a constructive swimming workout is being done. Any number of swimming patterns can be done such as freestyle, backstroke, doggy-paddle or whichever you prefer.. Just remember to do it consistently for the number of minutes needed to accomplish the session, and don’t play around. Start out for a few weeks with low-impact swimming and work up to a more intense and rigorous swimming session. While both slow and fast sessions will burn fat and calories, fast sessions are what will really give those calories a punch.

In addition to swimming if you incorporate weight training you will help strengthen the muscles and improve your swimming sessions. Above all do not get discouraged because the weight is not coming right off. The weight did not come onto your frame overnight and it is not going to disappear overnight.

Everyone must decide in their own mind to make healthier food selections and exercise; no one can do this for them. People should strike the word ‘diet’ from their vocabulary. Diets have a beginning and an end. Diets usually stop when weight goals are met. Diets are never lifestyle changes. Lifestyle changes are just what they say, ‘lifestyle’. They will continue for the life of that person.

Following  the recommended daily allowances from all five food groups ensures that you’ll get all of the correct nutrients needed for each day. Incorporating the right amounts of grains, fruits, vegetable, proteins and dairy into three meals and three snacks per day will sufficiently feed the body what it requires daily.

One should drink at least eight, eight-ounce glasses of water per day, and when working out one will need more fluids, coffee does not count. Avoid sodas, energy drinks and decaffeinated products, and cut down on caffeine. Most people say they are hungry when in fact they are lacking sufficient fluids.

If you incorporate a realistic daily swimming routine and a more nutritional food plan in their life then you are bound to lose those excess pounds and calories. The only side effect to these plans is a healthier, fit body.