So we joined a gym

[smeddley]

Swimming, I've decided, is less like riding a bike and more like walking in ridiculously high heels. I was able to hop of a bike after not riding for years and managed just fine. Swimming, on the other hand, is a bit trickier.

And I'm not talking about the 'managing not to drown' flailing about. That I'm just fine at. I'm talking about actual swimming, with the proper motions and all. Theoretically, I know how to do it. I understand it. But putting all the pieces together, well, that's a bit different. I have a huge problem managing to breathe properly during the stroke (we're talking the crawl, nothing fancy).

And in that way I think it's a lot like when I started wearing heels again. When I bought my first pair of 'high' heels (2-1/2"!) after years of not wearing them, I was a little wobbly. It took a little practice. Then I moved up to higher and higher heels until I could sashay about in 4-1/2" spike heels, no problem. I can even run in them! (Well, insomuch as I can run at all) If I employ this method to swimming I'll start out with a kick board and some doggy paddling, then slowly start trying to work out the breathing and arm movements.

On the other hand, I could have just slapped on really high heels and I'd have learned pretty quickly (you know, the whole 'sink or swim' method!). Sure, I would have looked completely ridiculous doing so, but I'd have no choice but to learn or continue to look really silly. Or, you know, break an ankle. And so I could just continue to try to swim as best I can, and look like an asthmatic whale while doing so, but learn more quickly.

Either way, it's going to be a LONG road to getting into shape. Ugh.

And to Mr. Smeddley, who (with no prompting and completely out of the blue, after we'd gotten home from the gym) told me I didn't look horrid in my swimsuit, *that's* why I love you.

Comments

[aeamek.livejournal.com]

A signature in your post! I love it.

Swimming is for winners. Welcome to the pool!

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

Signa.... what the heck?! Since when did it start doing that?! O.o I guess I need to check me e-mail settings, I wonder if the IT guys changed that. It doesn't make much sense to have that at the end of a blog post...

[penchaft.livejournal.com]

High heels are actually really good for my feet, because my tendons (? I dunno, some muscle thing) are tight and the slope of heels is nice for that... but with my loose ankles and poor coordination they are basically broken ankle devices. =(

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

Actually, I understand - my tendonitis (or whatever it is) in my right ankle feels better when I wear heels!

[revoked-soul.livejournal.com]

Tell you what. You work out and wear high heels on my behalf, and I'll sit on the couch eating ice cream and staring at my swollen feet for you.

I agree, swimming's not at all like riding a bicycle. I used to swim quite well, but I'm pretty sure right now I'd be at the flail point until I got in a decent amount of practice.

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

I think someone's getting the better end of this bargain... well, right up to the whole 'giving birth' part! ;)

Hopefully I'll get better with practice!

[mmmontserrat.livejournal.com]

I love swimming! What's also become popular at our pool is aqua-aerobics and people don't wait for a class to do it. They use the pool weights (floatation with minor weights) and walk up and down and backwards and sideways along the lane lines. Or some people have iTunes type of players that they use for music.

Kickboards and isolations are good to strengthen yourself and build up each set of muscles before you go full force with the strokes. Or even the masters swimmers do this!

I hope you enjoy it!

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

There was a girl doing that the other day, and I know they have classes for it. I'll probably do some of that, too. And, yeah, I will use the kickboards since I need to work on my hamstrings a lot more than my arms!

[http://users.livejournal.com/anam_cara_/]

NudgeNudge (http://community.livejournal.com/craftgrrl/11843754.html)

You would have seen it sooner or later, but I just had to say, here in your journal, How badly do you want that?!

:)

[smeddley.livejournal.com]

I do, but I want a real Oliver to drive around even more! :D I love old cars, or rather, the look of old cars - I want them to have all the modern conviniences like air conditioning!