Question:
How mahy laps do I have to swim to be effective?

Just wondering if there is anyone out there who used swimming as a primary source of exercise postop. I will be 5 months post op on Dec. 1. I have lost approx. 62 pounds (none since Oct. 26). I'm taking in 2 protein shakes a day for a total of 60 add'l grams of protein. My weight loss stopped the day I started on them. I feel like I am just gonna be stuck at 200# forever. Anyway, I went to the rec center today and swam 32 laps in an olympic size pool. I stopped to rest about a minute every two laps. I felt like I could do more but my eyes were killing me from the chlorine. I'll get some goggles tomorrow. How many laps do I have to do to be effective in getting this weight off? Thanks!    — lindadougherty (posted on November 16, 2003)

November 16, 2003
I would check how many calories are in those 2 protein drinks as that may be the issue more than anything. Some can be quite high. Why did you start using them if you haven't been from the start? Swimming is great exercise, but mostly for toning. If one has significant joint pain etc. it literally might be all they can do. However, from my past experience swimming did not make me burn a lot of fat or lbs. Heavy sweating like from walking/biking and weight training has always been more effective for me. Try deep water aerobics as that really raises your heart rate. Maybe you just need to trade some of your swimming for walking if possible. If you go to fitday.com they have info on calories burned for various exercises. <p>You have lost 62 lbs which is wonderful! Try and shake things up a little and trade one of those protein drinks for some solid protein and see what happens. I think you are just going to have to experiment to get it moving again. For me, all I need to do is push the water and stay just a little more protein focused and that will keep it moving.
   — zoedogcbr