Swimming

Rosiebee I can agree with you what you say about a calming effect when swimming, I started on and off again last year, I wasn't too keen at first but joined my mum so it made it easier going with some one...I hate the dressing/undressing getting dry etc..but yes! after a while I noticed I was coming out refreshed and less stressed, I am hoping to take it up again as soon as I am able,,I also find garding thereputic (not diigging great holes etc but just pottering around)

I started swimming just over a year ago at a local health club. I can honestly say that it's one of the best decisions I ever made. DH had just been diagnosed with prostate cancer after making a good recovery from a different cancer. I felt as though I was sinking with all the anxiety/fear of it all. That time on my own, ploughing -albeit very slowly- up and down, calmed my mind and eventually gave me my mojo back. To be honest, it's mostly like a Saga day out at the pool. Lots of over 60s+. I try and combine it with some time in the gym, but it's really the peace of the swimming that keeps me going there. DH and I are doing ok at the moment. He's off bowling now and I'm getting my kit together to go for a a swim. Sure if you give it a go, you won't regret it.

Sounds like a plan Sparkygran,let us know if you do start swimming again

You maybe right but if I`m honest it was the cost of membership that probably paid quite a big part of my decision to give up must rethink and consider local pool which as a elder statesman I would be able to use for FREE

Respect Sparkygran,as much as I love my swimming I can't imagine using an outdoor pool at that time in the morning,indoors yes as I am an early bird anyway.Maybe indoors is the way to get you back in the swimming habit again.

Up until 2 years ago I swam every morning in the outdoor pool at 6.30 am at a local leisure centre and I loved every one of those 50 lengths and then all of a sudden I decided enough was enough and gave it up. You are all making me feel that perhaps I should reconsider my decision who knows may pick it up again

tiggy that is impressive. I'll certainly give it some more thought.

Never too late Gagagran ! The oldest lady in our class was 81 when she learnt. She was so terrified at first that she had private lessons which entailed her walking along the shallow end gripping the instructors hand with one hand and the side of the bath with the other. She can now do widths on her own and almost out of her depth ! She was inspired to learn to swim after watching the London Olympics and her family bought her the lessons.

Go for it !!!

I am 71 in August and have never learnt to swim after nearly drowning in the Adriatic when I was young. I have a fear of water but often dream of being able to swim like a fish and it is such a lovely feeling but so disappointing when I waken and realise it was just a dream.

Is it too late for me to learn now and how do I overcome my fear?

Go to adult lessons Silverfish - mine are for the over 50's - there are no pesky kids trying their utmost to get in your way. I don't think I would like to go to a public session. I am the only one who does backstroke but because we all know each other I can keep clear of the others and they know I am coming and keep clear of me !
As for getting your face wet a good teacher will help you overcome your fears. And yes, relaxing makes things so much easier as you float better and can fill your lungs with more air and the muscles work better and best of all it seems to reduce the fear factor ! Takes quite a bit of practise though.

no no no... I could not do it as there are kids in the pool and really fast swimmers and I would be scared someone would bump me and I would go under. Thank you though for the advice

Try backstroke. I know it's scary, but once you learn to float on your back it's soooo much easier than all the front swimming strokes - and you don't even need to get your face wet!

so, tiggy, do you think its because im very tense. Im scared of getting my face under the water and I keep my head up. I will try to relax more next time I go

Not painful Silverfish bit definatly tiring. My first 25m of front crawl is awful and I am so glad to make it to the end. I find myself saying 'Relax, relax, relax' and after a while I can and I have to say it does help !

I love swimming, learned at 55 and I go once a week. It helps with joint pain, however Im very nervous so I just splash around swim a few strokes and do maybe 2 half lengths but it must do some good.. The only problem is that I'm in so much pain afterwards and the next day also I'm very tired and can only just manage to go to work afterwards. Anyone else find it so tiring and painful

Yogagran,I envy you,how good it must be to swim whenever you want,like you I find it very relaxing and I usually feel quite refreshed and ready to take on the world once I have had my swim.My eldest grandson Calum (9) has now started coming along with me on my early Sunday morning swim and he just loves it.Your job as a swimming teacher must have given you a great deal of satisfaction when your pupils achieved their goals.

I swim most days as we are lucky to have a pool at home. I used to teach swimming many years ago, my speciality was disabled children and people who were frightened of the water.
It's such an good form of exercise and relaxing too. I sort out all sorts of problems whilst I'm doing lengths

Grannyactivist,that sounds great,a pool almost to yourself,a daily swim also sounds good,at the moment due to work etc I manage twice a week but hoping to increase to 3 or 4 soon.

Started a thread about swimming and end up talking about bikes lol,quite happy with my scooter but when I change it I will likely go for a Honda PCX 125, looks like a bike and drives like a Scooter lol.Nice to chat with a like minded rider Bikergran

I swim most days in the summer, but not so much at other times of the year. I pay a subscription to use the pool at one of the local hotels and I'm often there on my own or with just one other. In our town I'm still considered a youngster, so there are lots of people there older than me, many of whom swim on a regular basis.

Scooter yes the caravan was good, had a biggish one then got little 2 birth, but had to also give that up (story of my life lol) as DH not well, hence have had to curb things, I did same a you CBT then did my theory (couldn't get over that I had!!! to do my theory even though I passed car driving test 35 yrs prior)! but left it too late to take Mods 1 & 2 so had to do theory again...tut! I would go for it girl..as it is only going to get harder..as the yrs go...but if your quite happy on your 125 scooter..then stick with that. have you ever thought of another 125 bike! some smashing 125s around now and they look soooooooo BIG!!
not sure what area you are from,but the friend I have met was just purely coincidental, I just happen to park up to get some shopping at Asda and we got chatting (I do chat to anyone) and a friendship blossomed, it is nice to have a meet up, and we usualy end up at a Mcdonalds for a cuppa on route lol.
again I have deviated from the swimming thread lol..

Ah Bikergran,so much in common,I have always wanted a caravan and ahm swithering whether to get a tourer(can't afford a static) or not.Problem is others would need to tow it as I can't with a scooter lol.Good on you passing your mods 1 and 2. I am thinking about trying to do that soon as I passed my theory last year and have 1 year of my CBT left.Unfortunately I don't know any other riders so go solo jaunts at the moment.Hope you are back on 2 wheels very soon.

Scooter58 ahaa a fellow rider, sorry to divert from the thread...but I had a nickname "scootergran" in fact it may still be there.lol very much like you! I had a 50cc scooter..then sold it to help pay towards a caravan (about 10 yrs ago) then about 6 yrs ago..I decided I would love another scooter..so like you passed my CBT and got 125 piagio fly, loved it and then met up wiith a another lady scooterer down at asda one day..she had same scooter.we have been friends since! we used to go on trips out, then something happened and my scooter was no more! I then got a Yamaha custom 125 (lovely) and did 2 CBTS...then I decided at the grand old age of 55 to do my bike test!! it had changed and now involves Mod 1 & 2, failed my Mod 1 first time, took it again and passed...then got my Mod 2..whoopeee..and now have done my 2 yrs restricted licence and can now ride any bike...but have stuck with a Yamaha 250cc. my friend and I go out to the coast/town/picnics short rides/longer rides/but like the swimming I have had to put bike on back burner.
Sorry to divert but it was directed at Scooter58 keep riding

I try to go once a week & do 50 lengths. There's usually quite a few others of similar age to me there.
You're brave tiggypiro, I can't even manage to jump into the shallow end cause I'm too scared

Tiggypro,my friend Aileen also learned to swim last year after many years of trying and failing,she was really scared and thought she would never do it.Like you she went to adult swimming lessons and really enjoyed it,also keeping going as she found it very friendly and not too pressurised,she is now really chuffed that she at aged 64 can at last go in a pool without her water wings.