I decided in honor of the Olympics I would swim today. I consider myself a pretty good swimmer considering I have never participated in any organized swimming, but I just don’t like doing it that much. One reason I don’t like swimming for exercise is I don’t like the whole process of being wet and getting out of the pool and having a wet bathing suit and changing and showering and all that makes me grumpy. I hate lugging shower stuff there, but changing and then showering at home takes so long. Another reason I don’t really ever swim is I get so bored. Even with routines I have from when I was a lifeguard and immobile from foot surgery, it’s just kind of boring. I always feel like if I’m going to get all wet I should do it for at least 45 minutes or so, and that’s always a big time commitment with no entertainment (magazine/TV/music). Another reason I don’t swim is I don’t have a one piece and I always think people will look at me fully with a bikini and a swim cap! Lastly, I hate taking a towel and having to wash it. I hate washing towels.
But today I decided:
1) I would just bike home in my suit and shorts/t-shirt and shower at home.
2) I would only swim for 15 minutes if I felt like it. The second I got bored I could get out. Kind of that “I only have to do it for 10 minutes” mentality
3) I thought: screw anyone who makes fun of my bikini!
4) I just got over the towel thing.
So I dusted off the swim cap and goggles and hopped on my bike to the gym. I started with some dry cardio – 22 minutes on the Stairmaster. Then I did abs. Then I went and put on my suit. I swam for about 28 minutes. Pretty good! My heart rate averaged about 110 but I wasn’t really pushing myself (yes, you can wear your Polar F4 HRM in the pool.) So I was pleased with myself.
Once home, showered, towel in the wash, I started on a big vegetable salad for lunch. TOO BIG AGAIN!! I’m stuffed with plants at the moment.
I grilled: corn, eggplant, squash, tomatoes, a green pepper piece, 3 tiny parsnips.
And made a homemade lemon dressing with a tsp of one of my favorite mustards combined with the juice of half a lemon, half a tsp of honey, half a tsp of EVOO, pinch salt.
Also included: a huge base of romaine, 1/2 a cup or so of chopped mango, a few raspberries, and a little President Fat-Free Feta. (I like the texture of this feta way more than any of the creamy full fat kinds I’ve had).
And on the side I had a Food for Life 7 Grains English Muffin with some Smart Balance and Jam –
I am biking to EarthFare (about 4 miles, one way) in a bit to volunteer with Girls On The Run as we serve root beer floats and get the word out about the fall season!
This time tomorrow I’ll be gearing up for my Microbiology class!!
mh says
you do more cardio in a day than I sometimes do in a week! haha! you put me to shame!! your salad looks great kath! do you put anything on your veggies before you grill them? thanks
MKM says
The salad looks really good!
Oooh, Microbiology is fun!
Well, it depends on the labs and the teacher – the labs can be really fun or really boring.
Or maybe I’m just a really major nerd. 😀
ModelBehavior says
What a fun way to jazz up your cardio routine! have fun in microbiology! I managed to dodge it by taking food sanitation instead, anytime I can learn about food instead of science I’m on board!!
🙂
Katrina says
Yummy looking lunch!
I HATE being in a swimsuit, but just started a water aerobics class this morning–now three days a week I get up at 4:50 a.m.! What was I thinking? Well, partly I’m thinking that all the jogging I’ve been doing is really getting hard on my joints and bones and I was thinking it might be fun to change up my routine a bit. (I don’t belong to a health club, but really need to do that, too!) The water class was pretty fun. It involves “running” in the pool, in the deep water with a floaty belt (and some weights in hand) on so you don’t drown. We constantly moved in every which way for an hour. We’ll see what I think of this 8 week class three days a week. All I know is I can’t wait for the Olympics to be over so I can get to bed earlier! Sigh.
I’m tired today!
Allison K. says
How does your corn turn out when you throw it directly on the grill? I’m always afraid it will dry out and be gross. I do mine in the husk on the grill. Just keep it on there till all sides of the husk char….it’s really good..it steams it in the husk, but gets that great grill flavor too.
natalie says
You sound jsut like me Kath! Those are all the reasons I hate going swimming to. Its actually been so long I’m not even sure if I still know how!
Your salad looks perfect to, I must try your mango and raspberry combo. 🙂
SarahF says
I love swimming! I find my body gets so into the “stroke, stroke, breathe” pattern that it puts me in almost a meditative state and my mind just wanders. I usually swim for about an hour. My routine:
5 sets of 200 m (8 laps) free style, 100 m (4 laps)breaststroke
2 sets of 300 m just legs (I break it up so I do one lap of dolphin kick, 1 lap of freestyle kick until I’ve done all 12)
2 sets of 200 m just arms (I do 5 laps front style, 3 laps breast stroke)
Cool down of 500 m anything I want.
It’s a great workout…I rarely make it through both sets of just legs and arms but even just swimming full body my back and shoulders are much more defined!
fitnessista says
what a delicious salad- i loooove that president’s fat free feta.
sounds like you had an awesome workout!! i try to swim for exercise, but it usually turns into “floating” on my raft.
hope you enjoy the rest of your day!
Bev says
Sarah , that is a awesome workout. Michael would be proud 🙂
Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food) says
What a beautiful salad!
Jenn says
for the runners… for someone who has “runners asthma” how do you get over this? thats my only set back, my body is not tired but i cant breathe so can’t go on, any advice?
tfh says
I didn’t know you were once a lifeguard…cool! I wish I were a stronger swimmer. Watching the Olympics definitely put me in a swimming mood. The “good” thing is, since I’m terribly inefficient I feel like my heartrate is through the roof when I swim! I
hk says
yum…I’m inspired to make a delicious dinner salad with grilled veggies- looks great!
Have fun with the floats, cute!!
Brynn says
hahaha! After that list, I have no idea why you decided to go swimming. 🙂 Good for you though. Your salads make me want a grill so bad!
Jennifer says
Hey Kath,
Are you taking micro. on line and the lab at CPCC? It just looks that way since my lab in Micro is Thursday nights. Let me know if it is in the evening, I may try to switch if it is so we can take a class together again.
Hil says
Hah…I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who owned a swim cap but not a one piece. 🙂 If you decide to swim regularly, a one piece racing suit might be a worthwhile investment. I find them a lot more comfortable for lap swimming.
Salad looks delicious. Do you find salads sustaining in the long run without much in the way of protein or fat in them? The feta looks more like a garnish in this salad.
Emily says
Jenn- I have the same problem! I only have problems with my asthma when I go running! So it’s really hard during the summer to go for a run outside because of the humidity! UGH!
Personally, if I am going to go for a run outside during the day I have to use an inhaler about 15-30 mins beforehand. But, I try to keep my runs on a treadmill or, early in the morning or late at night–where I don’t need (or like to use) my inhaler. When the weather gets cooler out (but not too cold or thats a problem too!) I don’t have to worry about it too much. If you like running during the day I have found that running in the shade is (obviously) a lot easier than in the strong sun–maybe you can try finding a shaded place to go running.
I hope I was of some help!
HangryPants says
I love Maille mustards!
Heather says
I agree about swimming (getting boring, too much trouble, etc.), but it gets your arms/back toned SO fast… and I never work those muscle groups in my usual workouts.
That salad is gorgeous!
Deb says
Too funny. I also don’t like swimming (but I really really would LIKE to LIKE it!!). I also swim in a bikini and swim cap and goggles, but I feel like I burn NOOOOOOO calories at all even though I feel like I’m working pretty hard. I didn’t know you could wear the F4 in the pool; now I can’t WAIT to see just how hard I really am working out!!! I only resorted to swimming b/c both my hip and my elbow are messed up at this moment and my PT suggested it. I admire all those swimmers who say they love it- does anyone have any suggestions how I can fall in love with the H20??
Grounded Fitness says
i dont like swimming for all those reasons PLUS im really bad at it.
Im a lan mammal thank you very much.
www.everygymsnightmare.com
Grounded Fitness says
land*
Rose Huber says
Way to go ahead with the swim despite some of your concerns! You got in a ton of exercise today – that’s wonderful. That bike you got is really working out for you.. and tempting me to look on Craigslist…
Julie says
For those of you who get bored swimming, try swimming in open water. I get sooo bored swimming in pools and I hate chlorine, so I started lake swimming and LOVE it. There’s a lake near my house and I swim across the lake, take a quick rest on the other side, and then swim back. There’s nothing that makes your soul sing more than watching the sun rise while swimming across a lake. However, be sure you’re a strong swimmer before attempting an open water swim. There are no lifeguards to rescue you!
Maureen says
Oh my god! I don’t swim for almost all your reason but ESPECIALLY #4 — I always felt sooo awkward in my bikini, especially at Aquafitness where a lot of overweight women usually participate. So I just stopped going. I don’t want to spent $50 on a new bathing suit just for Aquafitness, you know?
C says
LOL @ “I’m stuffed with plants at the moment”. For some reason, that really cracked me up 🙂
goalie30 says
I had to swim laps and run in the deep end of a pool for 8 weeks when I had a stress fracture in highschool that prevented me from running on land for cross country. It was the longest 8 weeks of my life, but by the end of it, I had the swim coach asking me to join HIS team! So, I encourage those who are novice swimmers to try swimming a few times a week instead of say cardio equipment in the gym, it really mixes things up a bit, and after a little practice, I think you’ll find you adapt to the water pretty well after your strengthen your form/ strokes 🙂
That salad looks great! I wish I had time during the day/week to grill foods like that for my lunch. My husband works late hours and I leave the grilling to him, so I typically only get grilled foods on the weekends…
MLT says
Hey, for all of you who swim…
I am a runner, and I recently injured my knee. I decided it might be time to ease off the running and start some other sports. I’m a terrible swimmer but I’d love to start. Is it as good a work out (time wise) as running? Does it only tone upper body or does it also get your legs? Love any feedback you might have! Thanks!
LT says
Jenn–read up on “exercise-induced asthma.” I had the same problem as you (muscles not tired, but couldn’t breathe/couldn’t get enough air in my lungs–terrible wheezing that would scare me to death when I passed the threshold), so I went to the doctor about it. He gave me an albuterol inhaler to use 15-30 minutes before exercising. I was afraid to try it (don’t like meds), but I finally did this week, and it worked great for me.
Hot Garlic says
I think so many people love and read this blog because you are not eating ‘health’ or ‘diet’ food. Everything you eat looks DELICIOUS, and nourishing, which really appeals to me for one! That salad looks AMAZING. I don’t know about the fruit, but I love vegetables and I am so into grilling them right now too. I am going to have to try this {leaving the fruit in for my ‘the husband’ and taking it out for me}
Gliding Calm says
What a fantabulous looking summer meal!!
As for swimming.. I’m super jealous!! I need to buy a one piece, so I haven’t been able to go. And I never ever go shopping. I know that no bikini of mine is going to hold up if I really want to get exercise swimming…because similarly, I like to go with the cap, goggles, and one piece when I do my laps. (That’s how I always did it with the fam growing up!) Most would probably say I have some lame reasons…but I really never am at the mall/shopping!
Have a great night Kath!
Sami says
SWIMMING, YAYY!
I just started back.
It’s kicking my butt.
But the high is so worth it.
Andrea says
i love how colorful that salad is… it’s a piece of artwork!
Lida says
Swimming definitely feels boring when you just do lap after lap with no pretty landscape to look at.
i’m on my school’s swim team, which consists of 2 hour practices every day… torture. but the good thing about that is that with people barking orders at you you don’t need to try to make things interesting.
one thing you could try is isolating arms and legs. i.e. left arm there, right arm back, next lap both arms (for anything except breaststroke).
i really love running but my swim coach told me that running makes your ankles really stiff, which is why i can’t improve my swimming kick. grrr..
salad looks great by the way!
caitlin (see bride run) says
im sups proud of your swmming ability!
Kath says
mh ,
Usually just some cooking spray and salt.
Allison K,
You’re missing out on the char!! I’ve never had it dry out. If anything, you think it’s not quite done but when you bite into it all the kernels are cooked perfectly. Give it a try!
tfh ,
Yup, the H and I worked at a YMCA Watersports camp as counselors one summer. And we worked at girls + boys sister/brother camps the year before that (Seafarer + Sea Gull). We like kids 🙂
Jennifer ,
You’ve got mail!
Hil ,
If the salads are big enough, I’m find. This one was really filling. But had it been just a cereal bowl full, I would have needed a big dose of yogurt or chicken or something for more satiety.
Rose Huber,
I’m LOVING my bike – especially now that I have a basket for it. I bet you could find one for cheap on Craigslist. You’d probably use it more than you think, at least in the warmer months. Places I thought were too far any way but a car now seem so close.
Julie ,
But what about the FISH!! And snacks!! And lake scum on the scary bottom!!
Hot Garlic,
Thanks 🙂
Kath
Justy2003 says
I’ve never really tried swimming for exercise. It requires too much equipment that I don’t have: one-piece suit, swim cap, and goggles. Oh, and I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to breathe too well with all that water! I feel like the timing of breathing/strokes would be difficult for me. I’m not the most coordinated person 🙂
Katrina says
My water aerobic instructor today told me that 35 laps (the short way across the pool) is one mile and she thought that about one pool mile burned about the same calories as 3 miles of jogging. She teaches a water jogging type class, so I’m not sure if she meant jogging in the deep water, or swimming. I need to look it up online or something and haven’t yet.
Rhodeygirl says
i was thinking about what you said about how swimming is boring, but the repetitive action of it is what i had always loved the most. i loved to just get into a rhythm and then drift off into my mind. i always seemed to go into a more meditative state then with yoga.
it might help also if you write out a specific workout and follow it instead of just doing laps?
Christine O'Donnell says
Are all Polar HR monitors waterproof? I have the F6.
Kat says
I also enjoy swimming every once in awhile to change up my routine or when my hips are too tight from running. Like most of you I don’t have a one piece, so to help out with some support on top (because I do need it!) I wear a sports bra and then just bikini bottoms. Works like a charm.
runjess says
I hate swimming for all of the same reasons.
melisa says
I’d be careful about wearing the HRM in the water. I did this and it stopped working!! I only had the HRM for a few months! I think it’s because only the watch is water resistant… not the actual strap 🙁
But other than that– I LOVE swimming!
Deb says
I know this thread is pretty old by now, but I wanted to thank everyone for their tips on swimming! Love the stroke-stroke-breathe tip AND the HRM tip- makes it so much more fun- hope my strap survives! I even averaged 123 bpm, which was way more than I thought.
But I realized something as I tried to multitask by putting conditioner on my hair and then in the cap- it gets slippery and slides off, then runs in your ears, grrr. Live and learn!
Deb