Master's Qualifying Time (posted elsewhere also)

As some of you might recall, I've been back in the pool and swimming for a couple months now and today I made a goal that I've been working toward since I got up to a mile in my workout. The goal was to qualify for the Master's Level Swim Club at my Y. To qualify you have to swim 2,000 meters (freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly and backstroke only) in an hour or less. Today I did it !! Just under the wire but I did it!! Hard to believe less than a year ago I could hardly walk 4 blocks and today I swam 2,000 meters in an hour. Now if I could get past this plateau - been gaining and losing the same two pounds for over 4 weeks now despite increased exercise and decreased calorie intake! Frustrates me to no end because I easily go to that "it's not working" or "guess this is all I'm going to lose" place in my head and I'm still at 298!

And it wasn't even that long ago that you were swimming in the "slow lane!" What an awesome accomplishment, Steve. I'm sending plateau busting vibes your way. Ken P.S. Have you spoken with your surgeon/dietician lately? Maybe you're too calorically restricted or under protein for all the exercise you are doing? Maybe a big protein blast would help at this point? Just some thoughts.

Thanks Ken. I did have a talk with my surgeon last month and talked about my exercise level and that I was targeting my calories at 1,200 with 100+g of protein. He seemed to think that was about right and when I look at my average over the last month it's at 1,118 calories/day and 105 g of protein. But, after all the feedback I got the last couple days I'm going to try to get both up a bit - going to try for 1,400-1,500 calories and 125g of protein and see what happens. Have to say I tried it today and it was tough to get in that many calories. And yeah, I'm not in the slow lane any more.... yesterday, when I hit my 2,000 in an hour I was actually in the medium lane and had to pass a couple guys in the process!

Dear Steve, Nice job and congrats on your qualifying time! I've been having some back issues, had an MRI yesterday so I've been off swimming for a while. I'm hoping to be able to get a green light and go back to the pool very soon. I do miss it when I'm at a sub-therapeutic chlorine level! I'm hoping that will start my weight loss again - I've been stuck at 199-198 for 5 weeks now. I'm able to do Curves without any back aggravation so I'm sticking with that for now. Best - Chris Davitt Highest 287 Today 198 Goal 170

Thanks Chris - gotta love that chlorine, huh? (except for the dry skin that accompanies it for me). Hope you can get back in the pool soon. One of the things that keeps me motivated is that for a few hours after I get out of the pool I have an incredible amount of relief from my almost constant knee, ankle and hip pain. But, I also have chronic back issues and do notice that sometimes my swimming can seem to flare that up a bit. Hope you're feeling better soon and we both can bust these plateaus soon!! Steve

Congrats! I cant wait to start swimming again, I was just thinking about joining the local YMCA for that very purpose....not sure I have the ball (so to speak) to go out in a bathing suit right now though...lol. I was going to ask the same question about you possibly not getting enough protein? Call your NUT! =)

Thanks Shelley! That's one of the things I love about my Y - there are people of all ages and all shapes there and I can honestly say I've never seen anyone disrespected or looked upon unkindly there. At my particular Y there are gay men in their 80s who show up regularly (there was one guy in his late 90s but I haven't seen him for a while); there is a whole group of elderly Russian women who live in the neighborhood who get into the pool every day; there are lots of gay guys who are in recovery at that particular Y; etc. so I feel very comfortable there. I can walk around with my moobs (man boobs) exposed and not, for a minute, worry about it!! And yeah, I'm gonna try increasing both my calories and protein. Steve

wow Buddy, I remember when you first started swimming. That's awesome. My first thought with the stall is that you are not eating enough. I know all the times I was successful doing weigh****chers, when I was doing more activity I needed to up my good calories to show a loss. If not I either wouldn't lose or *gasp* show a gain.

Thanks Rachelle... Yep, think it's a good point and worth a try. Got up to 1,400 calories today and 116g of protein - but damn, I felt so full with that much food!!