running vs. swimming

I had an enlightening experience on the road last weekend. Normally I run 4 times a week, 3-4 miles at about a 10-min mile pace as one component of my overall routine. Last Saturday I was too tired to run at 5:30 AM (stayed up to watch the game) so I decided I would run in the evening after class. It didn't happen because it got late with stuff I had to do. I was in a hotel with a small pool and strangely enough the pool was deserted so I figured
I'd swim for 30 minutes in addition to some power yoga and dumbell work in my room.

The pool was so small that it only took about 6 strokes to get from one side to the other. I kept sinking and couldn't keep my head high enough to breathe at times. I used to swim and know the mechanics of the strokes but had to move quickly in order to stay afloat. Needless to say, I was exhausted in less than 10 minutes. I couldn't believe how tired I was already. I ended up running laps in the pool for another 10 minutes and then swimming again for a while.

I don't care much for swimming, but the workout was so difficult that now
I've decided I must conquer this. Fortunately the resorts in town sell memberships to their pools during the winter (off-season) and I found a place that has treadmills, bikes, and ellipticals (mroe than the local fitness center) in addition to decent sized pool and after reading the posts about varying the cardio (which I agree with 100%) I think this is worth a shot. Just trying to get DH to join with me

Dr. Covert Bailey discusses this in one of his books. I don't remember which one, though. He states that swimming is not a good exercise to do if you're using it as your only exercise to lose weight, IIRC.

It's interesting that you say the body holds on to every ounce while swimming. My one son swam on a year round swim team for three years and practiced 3-4 times per week (depending on age). This is when he gained a lot of weight and I asked his allergist once how in the world this could be and she commented off handedly that it is very difficult to lose weight by swimming and in fact some studies show that you gain body fat. She was very rushed and we really didn't have time for more and every other doctor I've asked has looked at me sideways when I mention this. I've always wondered about this. (No, I don't think his weight gain was caused by the swimming, but I've always wondered about her comment) Elise.

My family loves swimming. My kids swim on summer swim teams and the whole family loves doing the neighborhood pool all day on weekends. One joke we always have is when we are all in the deep end and I just "stand" there bobbing vertically with the occasional sculling motion to stay vertical and my husband desperately treads water to stay afloat. I float like a cork, he sinks like a rock. He is thin(ish), I am not. I will note, however, that since I lost my initial 80 lbs I've had to work a little harder to stay afloat...I can no longer tote a child into the deep end and simply hold them up based on my natural buoyancy. So...it doesn't surprise me that given all the weight you've lost, that you are finding swimming more difficult. Even though heavy, I think the fat cells provided a buoyancy that made it easier for us to float and thus swim. I find swimming to be a great cardio workout, but I also think it's hard on my knees. Weird I know, but I think somehow when I kick I hyperextend my knees since I was taught to kick from the hip and keep the knees straight. Have fun with your swimming. Elise.

I couldn't agree with you more. I've tried so many new exercises that when the exercise assignment for our HMR class is "try something you haven't done before" a few of us long timers just look at each other and try to come up with things to try. Rock climbing did come up, but around here all you get is the wall in the gym. I'm thinking about trying it out sometime but it's very popular

YES, i remember him on an infomercial making that RIDICULOUS statement!

I competed one year as a junior. I noticed it was one of the few hard exercises I could do at night and still fall asleep with no problem. That's another advantage. I'm headed to the resort to sign up tomorrow. I also like the idea of combining it with the running or walking on the treadmill.
I just have to figure out which is less offensive, diving into the pool sweaty from running or jumping on the treadmill wet from swimming
A true triathalon starts with a swim, then bike, then run, correct? I may just yet be ready for the mini-tri next summer!!