FamilyInShape

Swim lessons for me

As I said in my last post, I signed up for swim lessons to help conquer my fear of drowning in the shallow end and to control my panic issues in the water.  Fortunately for me, most of the students in my class were either late or did not show at all so I ended up getting a 40 minute private lesson with Rose.  Rose is a very sweet but also very tough teacher.  She works with people of all ages, from the little tadpoles (ages 2-4) to the big tadpoles like me.

Rose asked me to "show off what I know," I thought, well "I know I don't like the deep end and my breathing rythm is out of control"  other than that I'm not sure what I could show.  As I said this she started floating her way over to the six foot end, getting further and futher away from me. 

She said, "sorry I can't hear you, what was that?  You are going to have to come closer"  Aw crap, she wants me to swim to her.  I felt my heart skip a beat and my palms getting sweaty.  (Don't ask me how I felt that in the water, I just know that I did.)  She reminded me to "take it slow and breath slowly."  

As she floated in the six foot side of the pool she tried to explain that she has always been very boyant which is why she could practically float without trying.  Something about how little muscle mass she has, etc...etc... I stopped listening because I was only thinking about me at this very moment.  

Finally, I pushed away from the wall.  Oh my gosh!  I swam to her!! OK I didn't put my face in the water and that was the first thing she noticed but I didn't panic and that alone is quite an improvemet from my last attempt at swimming.  

Her comments after that little display were: 

"You did great, you kick with great power(thank you Spinning) and your stroke is pretty good for someone who calls herself a non swimmer."  {{grin, grin}}

So I'm not a tadpole or an otter? I asked.  "No, I think you are in level 2 and can easily reach level 3"

I don't know if she was being encouraging or truthful, either way, I felt a sense of courage and strength; a desire to work harder and focus more on my breathing techniques.  After a while of her giving me some tips on what to do and how to improve my breathing I was doing the 'front crawl, 1-2' basically, freestyle, breathing in every second stroke.

I was so excited to be able to do that much.  I really felt empowered.  So glad, so, so glad I signed up for lessons and also glad I have Rose there to push me, encourage me and guide me in my training. Those of you who have been considering a new fitness program, I only have one thing to say... what are you waiting for, do it!!

Stay well,

I tried swimming and failed miserably

Photo by BreakfastPirate

I feel that people like me, who love the ocean and living near bodies of water, should at least know how to tread water.  It's not that I don't know HOW to swim, but that I panic when water goes up my nose and into my brain. Either way, I need to get back in the pool and gain my confidence back.  

This past week I enrolled the little Peanut, now 6, in swimming lessons again.  I feel it is important that they know how to swim and all the safety rules they will most likely learn from the swim instructors and not from parents because we really don't know anything.  

The first day of swim lessons I sat back with the other parents just watching her jump in the water, learning how to kick, refine her strokes, etc.  Meanwhile, grandma sitting next to me proceeded to tell me all about the twins in the water and how one was evil and the other an angel, (she's so sweet).  The kids seem to me like your average four year old but then I didn't have to spend half a day with them everyday.  By the end of the lesson, about 50 minutes later, I was worn out just from listening to everything from her medical conditions to her own grown up kid's marital decisions and career choices.  It was just too much for a first date.  

**side note:  I must have one of those personalities that make people want to spill their guts out to me without provocation--very strange but it happens a lot.

It was during the Peanut's shower that I decided to put this time to good use so I came prepared to go for a swim during the next session.  Thankfully, during this time there aren't many classess in session leaving 4 open lanes for anyone to use.  Now, keep in mind that I haven't been in the pool since I was 6 months pregnant with my little Bear and he's now 26 months (that's 2 years and 2 months).  That time was a bit scary because my legs cramped up and my big, beach ball belly was pulling me down (guess I should have worn some floaties).

The minute I set foot in the water I felt a little panic setting in, I have no idea why.  Maybe because I just knew EVERYONE was looking at me and my inability to swim across the pool without stopping for air; as if the parents had nothing else to do but to watch me fail at swimming.  I guess part of my panic had to do with just that.  The idea that I can teach Spinning for an hour and consider it a warm up or that I know I can teach a weight training/muscle conditioning class no problem, yet I can't push myself across the pool.  Forget across the pool, try going just 6 feet from the wall or leaving the wall altogether.  Ugh!  

To further add to my feelings of inadequacy, two "expert swimmers" joined me in the pool, one on either side.  An "expert swimmer" to me is jus someone who can get in the water and start swimming without fear of drowning, so any child or adult would be an expert in my eyes. As if attempting to swim along side 12 kids under the age of 7 wasn't embarrassing enough.  The kids have no fear.  They jump in and either float up or are pulled up by their instructor.  The expert swimmers demonstrated so much confidence.  They jumped in, donned their goggles around their eyes and fins on their feet and off they went, swiming the length of the pool and back before I could get off the wall.

I decided to make like I was only working my legs and grabbed a kickboard off the rack to aid in my "leg workout" because my earlier Spinning class just wasn't enough.  Even with the kickboard, I swam the length of the pool and stopped at the other end to catch my breath before coming back.  I regained some dignity by stretching my arms over my head pushing the kickboard away from my body and practicing my breathing techniques as I kicked my away across the pool.  Did that several times then jumped in the jacuzzi to warm up.

Later in the shower a couple of moms came to me and said they would join me and my kickboard next week.  They thought it was a great idea to be in the water doing something instead of just sitting around; (and they thought they didn't have time to exercise...how silly). One of the expert swimmers suggested I take a few private lessons to help me with my technique and get my breathing under control.  She reminded me that swimming requires coordination and uses all major muscles.  She said with time and continued practice I would be able to swim across and back just like the rest of them.  That was encouraging and very true.  It is the same advice I give my students and clients all the time, this time I needed someone to remind me.  That was refreshing, in many ways.

It was challenging to face my fears in the water but I felt great after and I think I just might have encourage others to use this time to work on their fitness, their own fears and give a little to themselves, after all, the kids have life guards and instructors helping them along.  My advice - Go do something different, face your fears!

Stay Well,