Swimming,Swimming, Swimming....

6:30 will be here before I know it and I will be hitting the pool for another swimming lesson. I am trying to master the art of breathing properly. I thought it would be easy but I have a tendency to panic. It is not that easy for me. It is work. Today my instructor gave me a drill to help with this problem. I swim two strokes, breathe, exhale under water and then repeat the same every two strokes on the free style swim.

I was holding my breath too long, gulping and at times panicking. The last lap was far less taxing once I practiced this new drill.

Tomorrow morning, I plan to focus on just two strokes at a time and blowing all my breath out, one bubble at a time.

Breathing Lessons...

I am looking forward to my swimming lesson tomorrow morning.  I am trying to master breathing with my arms & legs...timing is everything, especially for a klutz like me. To add another twist to my latest venture in the pool, I agreed to meet my coach 15 minutes earlier @ 6:30 a.m...I am that determined!

Losing Weight Without Gimmicks....

I have been trying to lose weight for some time. I know how to do it but just have not gotten the surge of desire necessary to focus on  the process.  A year ago I joined a group of women and a nutritionist in a 6-month session focused on making all my calories count.
The program concentrated on counting calories and journaling every bite I ate. The first week was disappointing at the scale and over time I lost weight. But, celebrations and vacation came along and it was hard to get back on track. Now I have a sedentary job and need more creativity.

I am going to journal my journey on this blog. I will learn what works for me and what I need to avoid as quick fixes and fads. Lasting weight loss is my goal. I like real food in the real world and I am not going to count carbs, proteins or points. I am going to enjoy my food in reasonable portions.

I am getting more active. I started swimming lessons so I can swim real laps for fitness. I swam a lot at the pool growing up but the self taught fun is not the same as breathing properly and swimming with my eyes open. My instructor gave me a pair of goggles and a swimming cap to protect my hair. What a difference they make.  I just finished up my third week of lessons and to celebrate I bought myself a pair of real goggles. Tomorrow at 6:45 I will strap on these goggles and glide once more in the water. The rolling of my body, the kick and reaching with my hands will help me re-shape my body. It is fun, and I think I can stick with it. Why? Because I like it and my coach is helping me believe that I can do it and that is itself is a motivator.