I'm Getting in the Swim

Pixabay Public Domain photo
Eugene, Oregon
April 18, 2016 1:45pm CST
I have been swimming more in the last few weeks than ever in my life. We moved over a year ago to this over 55 community which has a clubhouse and a pool and sauna, but until recently, we have not used the pool. Anne is taking some physical therapy for her lower back and hip. Her therapist took her to a therapy pool in town and prescribed some water exercises, so we got some water barbells for her to work with. Since one can't be in the pool alone, I started going over and swimming laps while she does her exercises. My breaststroke has improved greatly too. I am swimming maybe 20 laps of this far less than Olympic size pool three times a week now. That's not bad for a guy who did who did not learn to swim until he was thirty, but body surfed in the Pacific as a teenager. Do you ever swim for exercise? What is your favorite way to exercise? By the way, that really isn't me in the photo!
11 people like this
13 responses
• United States
19 Apr 16
I should swim, but I do not like being cold. We have a pool in this community, but I have not used it. Where I lived last, there was a pool a very short walk from my condo. I used it some, but swimming is too boring for me.
2 people like this
• Eugene, Oregon
19 Apr 16
It is one of the best exercises we can do and should be great for those hot Calif days. Anne complains the pool is cold too, but I take a cool shower in the locker room so the pool feels warmer when I get in. We hit the hot tub afterwards too.
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• Eugene, Oregon
20 Apr 16
@ElizabethWallace That is helpful. We do have both here.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Apr 16
@JamesHxstatic My doctor says that this is great exercise for asthmatics. But I have not been able to force myself to do it. I could if the pool was inside and a locker room was nearby.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339464)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Apr 16
Well done you! And it's nice that you're supporting Anne by going along and not just sitting by the side of the pool. We bought a house once but didn't look outside till we decided we liked it. There was a massive pool which we had said we didn't want. However we purchased the house anyway and really enjoyed the pool. We could hardly swim before but became much better although we're not great swimmers by any stretch of the imagination.
2 people like this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
18 Apr 16
WE don'thave a pool here at the retirement center or I would swim every day. I go for walks for exercise as it helps my arthritic knee a lot.Iwill be doing that more often n wh weather is warm
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@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
18 Apr 16
I didn't think the photo was you - lol. I love swimming, but can never be bothered to go. it's really good exercise, isn't it?
2 people like this
• United States
18 Apr 16
though 'tis unfortunate ms. anne's ailin', perhaps a blessin' 'n disguise? tis great exercise 'n much kinder to the joints than most forms. i aint fond 'nough'f water to go swimmin' i fear. don't really exercise? jest workin' with the horses, tendin' the lands 'n schtuff' that nature.
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@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
18 Apr 16
Good for you. I used to love swimming when I had a public pool just down the road but now I have no access.
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@MandaLee (3760)
• United States
19 Apr 16
I love pool therapy.
1 person likes this
@jstory07 (139503)
• Roseburg, Oregon
19 Apr 16
I love to go swimming. The bad thing is the fact that there is no swimming pool here.
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@MALUSE (69373)
• Germany
20 Apr 16
The undressing and dressing, especially in winter, is so tiresome.
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
20 Apr 16
That would be a pain, but we are very close and it is easy to walk or even drive over there. We always have the place to ourselves in the morning.
@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
20 Apr 16
I do quite like to swim, but only when he weather is warm outside
@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
20 Apr 16
I haven't done for some time. I do like it though. Probably when the weather warms up finally I will find a friend and go again
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
18 Apr 16
Cycling is my favorite, although I do walk a lot, and sometimes I get the running bug.
1 person likes this
@puddleglum (1380)
• United States
18 Apr 16
Everyone I know who does pool therapy says it's super helpful. I hope she finds the same thing. By the way, if you keep doing those laps, you'll probably look better than the guy in the picture!
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
18 Apr 16
That'll be the day, lol!
1 person likes this