learning to swim

LegacyUser

Hi,
Just self conscious about my body so anon for this. I am a bit overweight and loads of body hair, chest shoulders and back all over, and big bald spot. I have been told that I should improve my posture and health, and swimming was suggested.
I cannot swim, and would be super nervous about a) taking lessons and b) being topless in a public pool alongside the usual pretty boy types i.e fit, built and zero body hair - basically proper men.

Any advice on how to go about this ? anyone done it before ?

Jawgap

nervousaboutbody wrote: »

Hi,
Just self conscious about my body so anon for this. I am a bit overweight and loads of body hair, chest shoulders and back all over, and big bald spot. I have been told that I should improve my posture and health, and swimming was suggested.
I cannot swim, and would be super nervous about a) taking lessons and b) being topless in a public pool alongside the usual pretty boy types i.e fit, built and zero body hair - basically proper men.

Any advice on how to go about this ? anyone done it before ?

My advice would be first go along to a pool and have a look from the public area - hopefully you'll be reassured that there all shapes and sizes there swimming. I'd dispute 'proper men' - whatever they are - have zero body hair, fit & built - "pretty boys" would be a better description

Second, I'd look to book some 1-on-1 lessons just to get you going. Some instructors specialise in dealing with adult learners. It'll 'get you going' and hopefully quickly build confidence. Then you can move on to group lessons and swimming longer distances on your own.

You could also have a look at the Irish Times website and review their Swim-a-Mile videos.

MrWalsh

Hope you don't mind a comment from a woman.

When you're in the water you're the same as anyone else. I dunno what you think a pool is like but there are all shapes, sizes, ages and abilities there.

Everyone is a bit self conscious initially but I promise you, I am far more concerned with my own stuff to even notice other people in the pool.

When I was learning to swim I got a swimmers snorkel and I was hugely self conscious using it. But then lots of people asked me where I'd got it and I realised that people didn't think it was weird, they got that I needed assistance learning to swim and were interested to know if it helped.

Best of luck to you, swimming is great. I found running really helped my posture also.

lizzyman

Maybe go during the off-peak times as it would be quieter, and cheaper too if your gym/pool does an offer for an off-peak membership.

Can we please get rid of the idea of " proper men"? It's completely inaccurate as there's no such thing as perfection!

Go to the gym and take a tour. Honestly, you'll be surprised as to the fact your perception is inaccurate. A lot for people are exactly how you describe yourself.

Fair play for realising that you can do something to better yourself. I promise, if you get a plan, stick to it, take a hard look at your diet, you'll be so surprised as to how different you'll feel in a few months. But just realise that it will take time.

Regarding learning how to swim, go to an actual swimming pool and look into adult swimming lessons, especially for beginners. These would usually be held in off peak times and in a closed session.

cee_jay

OP even some people with the most perfect bodies have some hang ups and insecurities about how they look, especially in swimwear. In the water though, everyone is exactly the same - think about it - most of your body is submerged! You will be so engrossed in learning your new skill, you won't notice anybody else. I can promise you everyone one else will be engrossed in what they are at too to notice you.
Enjoy learning how to swim - in my opinion it is a life skill everyone should have!

MrStuffins

Hi OP.

Your self conscious, but honestly, nobody will care what you look like. I'm overweight and only learned to swim very recently. I went to beginners classes in NAC and when I did there were all types of people, thin people, people more overweight than I was, people with great physiques.....

Learning to swim is possibly the best thing I've ever done! I booked an 8 week course and paid up front which forced me to go. I learned how to submerge myself under water (which I couldn't do at all before) and the basics of front crawl of breast stroke.

I continued practicing since and now I'm 100% confident in the pool. Do it OP, and don't worry about what others think about you because, honestly, they're not thinking about you at all

The Black Oil

It's been years since I've been swimming regularly. I do miss it. I have old some scarring. I've sometimes been concerned people might comment when I'm on holiday. Parts of it are not that noticeable unless you're next to me, but no one ever has said anything during outdoor or water based activities. I think you have to not care about it, genuinely. Once you're pottering about in the water you're fine. Everyone else is too focused on getting from one end of the pool to another to notice bumps and lumps.

I had some water sprayed at me whilst out cycling a while back. You'll always get some people taking the mick, often teenagers. I see people of all levels out there running, some heavier than others. Please don't let the perceptions of others hold you back from improving your health and doing something you might enjoy.

Pawwed Rig

No one will bat an eye. You see all shapes and sizes in pools.

Wibbs

Deleted User wrote: »

Can we please get rid of the idea of " proper men"? It's completely inaccurate as there's no such thing as perfection!

+1000 and since when does "zero body hair" equal "proper men"? Male body hair is a secondary sexual characteristic that comes with puberty and the flood of testosterone and is a major visual diff between the genders. To the degree that women in the majority of cultures will epilate to a crazy degree to remove any sign of excess body hair(that can go too far too). Just because some, a tiny number of male gym bunnies have decided that waxing their roided chests is somehow "manly"(and I'd love to get into that discussion with same, but I fear it would be fruitless), that means or should mean feck all to the rest of us. Granted I'm more caveman than many, hairy and proud, so maybe my angle is different, but I'd not worry Nervous. I really wouldn't. Ditto for your bald spot. That's down to testosterone again, or a genetic sensitivity to it, that's all male.

The overweight and flexibility bits are the things you should be thinking about and working on and fair play man, you are, so do not give a toss about the rest. As MrWalsh said, and she is right on the money "Everyone is a bit self conscious initially but I promise you, I am far more concerned with my own stuff to even notice other people in the pool".

I must admit that the thought of a hairless man being a "proper man" was quite funny. In my head, a "proper man" is one that is hairy and burly and strong.

Wibbs

Well I got hairy covered anyway…

Darkglasses

Can we let go of the idea that men have to be one or the other all together?

OP, you'll be fitter and more confident the sooner you face your worries and hit the pool

ancapailldorcha

After about 18 months living here, I finally get round to having a dip in the sea. It did not go well. Barely anyone around this morning which was great. What wasn't are the massive stones which comprise Brighton's "beach" and are almost impossible to walk on. Queue about half an hour of my lying there due to my inability to simultaneously balance while resisting the tide.

Aidric

Put your insecurities out of your head. I'm 34 now and have been swimming since I was 7. In that time I have seen all shapes and sizes, whether it be in the pool or at the sea. Nobody gives a fùck, trust me.

Swimming is the one constant in my life since a young fella and I can't recommend it highly enough as a form of exercise.

If you're a complete starter then you won't be alone. I've seen classes where the ages range from 10 - 70 so no need to be self conscious. Go for it, you won't regret it.