Update

[lexin]

I’ve decided (we’ll, 85% decided) to take up swimming once again.

I used to go every day for about five years when I lived in London and worked at a building called The Adelphi, on John Adam Street.

I could get up at 06:00, dress, make it to the Oasis swimming pool for 06:45, swim for an hour and then arrive at work by 08:00, smelling only slightly of chlorine. I kept it up because it was convenient, though I used to tell my doctor that on only four occasions had exercise left me brimming with energy and go-get-it-ness. Four.

Every other of the hundreds of times I went, I left the Oasis with my knuckles dragging on the ground like a pissed off yeti. On extreme occasions I went for a full English breakfast with some of the other women swimmers, which always cheered me up. I never lost an ounce, either, but I gather that’s expected. Exercise will not help you lose weight, though it will make you stronger and more limber.

That’s what I’m hoping for in taking it up again. I have been diagnosed with osteo-arthritis of the knees. Both of them. And my back hurts. So I think I need to make the muscles of my legs and back stronger somehow, and swimming should do that – plus it’s the only exercise I’ve ever enjoyed. Everything else sucks.

Comments

[corvidology]

Swimming sounds like an excellent choice and as you're retired, you should be able to hit the pool at times of day when it isn't too busy.

[lexin]

I think it's a good choice, but my first attempt wasn't stellar. Still, I will hack on.

[isis]

I have been diagnosed with osteo-arthritis of the knees. Both of them. And my back hurts. So I think I need to make the muscles of my legs and back stronger somehow, and swimming should do that – plus it’s the only exercise I’ve ever enjoyed.

That is a very good reason to take up swimming again! I used to swim a lot but I'm not really a fan of it, so I do other exercises I enjoy more. But if you like it (even only on occasion!) you should do it again! \o/

[lexin]

Swimming is my preferred exercise.

[emrinalexander]

Swimming is the best -the water supports you, no sweating, and if you get tired you can float around. I love the way I can move my knees in water with no pain.

[lexin]

That's pretty much what I think, too.

[clothsprogs]

The only exercise I ever enjoyed was Flying Trapese, and Acrobatic Balance - Carpal tunnel in my hands makes flying trapeze a bad idea and ever (if slowly) increasing numbness in my feet is a big block to acrobatic balance...

We do have an exercise bike in front of the TV, for joining in the chase-scenes, but since Iseldom watch TV these days (and Sewing Bee is notoriously lacking in chase scenes) it doesn;t see much use by me any more.

Teddy

[lexin]

I love the Sewing Bee!

[clothsprogs]

Me too.

I missed out on taking part in the first season becuase it was a new show and they were told to cut it down to half the episodes and hald the contestants, and I was in the half that was cut.

Teddy

[watervole]

I expect you've already tried Tai Chi, but just in case...

I find the Tai Chi 5 minutes a day series really useful - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEOS2zoyQw4

I ended up paying for the full set - though I often do the option 10 min ones. There's some I go back to again and again.

Even when I feel wiped, I can usually manage these as they're very low energy, and when it comes to osteoporosis (which I also have) weight bearing exercise is more beneficial.

[lexin]

I'll give it a go on the days I don't go swimming.

[hunningham]

It's interesting you like it; I like splashing around in the pool or swimming in the sea but I've found that I really dislike swimming as exercise - chugging up and down the pool is boring and makes me grumpy. And when I tried a swimming class I disliked it even more.

I'm wondering if you've ever tried pilates - not because you *should* do pilates - but because it gave me the grumps in much the same way swimming did, and I'm curious if there's a crossover.