What Happens To Your Body When You Swim
Because this:
After my first bout in the pool.
After many months of consideration, I decided to become a Melrose Makos. This neighborhood pool has been in Phoenix for 60 years this year; the open swim times seemed compatible with my schedule and it was a short 2 minute drive from my house.
It’s 100°+ degrees….so I’m not riding my bike there….yet😎
I *think* it’s 25 yards long? Maybe?
Anywise, you may recall that long ago on this Quest I purchased a wetsuit with the intention of swimming for exercise. Even got a one year membership at Yavapai Community College to use their pool…and promptly forgot all about it. This time?
Well, there’s that dread “ITS ONLY A NUMBER” birthday coming up. 😱. That and the whole pandemic/no healthcare/Air-Monster-Is-VCD thing.
So while I had a brief stint with successfully hiking this winter, my mother’s untimely death, Dad coming to live with us and the sudden success of Puzzle Rides has left me with no time to hike but better than before health. Our large group rides had me walking several miles, and I certainly got a beautiful tan and copious amounts of vitamin D. In fact, the pandemic had encouraged me to actually get my vitamin D deficiency in check for a change; a little known hobby of mine is reading scientific papers for fun. Across the board, people who had severe cases of Covid consistently had low levels of vitamin D, along with other comorbidities. Besides the sunshine (yes, I do wear sunscreen, but not a huge amount. I want nature’s way of giving me vitamin D), I did decide to supplement with a pill, as I knew every blood test I’d had in the last two decades showed it as being low.
I know. Shocking. Me, a vitamin supplement??
Did I also mention my hair is currently a natural color? I mean seriously, come on man.
So my Mom dies, Dad comes to live with us. He’s 82, and has a sensitive stomach.
Did I mention I had an ulcer in January? Cured it with DGL licorice, another supplement (hmmmm.)
Given my recent tummy troubles(ulcer and LPR), the Buckeye’s PKD, Dad’s tummy troubles and Parkinson’s AND the ongoing issues for me with VCD , I did some studying and decided to put us all on the anti-inflammatory diet. Not as a diet, but as a healthier was to eat. Lots of veggies and fruit, plus more fish.
And things began to change.
I’m still at 181, despite losing 10 pounds and keeping it off. The difference, however?
Both Dad and I started having less tummy troubles. The Buckeye’s blood pressure went down. Dad started walking better. I also realized I hadn’t had an eye ulcer in almost a year-My longest stretch has been 6-7 months prior.
So as we adapted (more actual cooking, which is enjoyed by everyone but me) I noted the coming birthday and the fact my knees make noises now when I walk.
The Buckeye laughs and laughs when I tell him about my knees.
Which meant I needed to figure out exercise.
Because I also struggled standing up from a squat.🙄
In-home stretching seemed the best answer. It was nearly July, and the temps well over 100°. While I was doing significantly better outside than the year before, I was still worried about my breathing-the attacks had dropped considerably, but I still couldn’t wear a simple mask. I couldn’t go to a gym (aforementioned masks), it was too hot to hike or bike. And after trying a morning or two, I didn’t want to stretch in the house I’m alway in. So that left one thing: swimming.
I love to swim. I’m not a bad swimmer, but I’m certainly not a strong swimmer. It’s been ages since I swam, and I began yearning for the opportunity to go. All through June I researched local pools, and was delighted by the neighborhood option. I joined the 2nd of July, and July 5th I slipped into the not-cold waters.
I swam for 45 minutes.
Well, I was in the water for 45 minutes.
I also learned my swimsuit was NOT SUITABLE FOR SWIMMING. So I came home, and order the only long, tall suit I could find on Amazon Prime:
Lol, it was $39 for a reason…it’s not attractive.
My next time in, two days later, I was properly suited. So I tried swimming more, and succeed in 6 laps of backstroke, plus too many elementary backstrokes.
Have we mentioned I’m legally blind in my left eye, and only a wee better in my right? That means I wear my glasses in the water. Which means I only backstroke or side stroke. Which is what you do when you can’t put your head in the water.
Let’s add to this that my dread of walking into a new place is still very much alive. And the fact I backstroked right into the wall on that second day.
I did, however, discover this dress is a great coverup!!
So by the end of week one, I was in the pool three times for at least 45 minutes each time. My third visit I managed 12 laps of backstroke, so I was pleased. I didn’t feel better (I don’t seem to consistently get that exercise high) but I was enjoying it, kinda.
This past week was week two-and I switched to swimming in the morning instead of evening. I was leery of the heat (it was 108° on the first day, a former trigger temperature last year) and found that while I did have to monitor my breathing (two short sniffs with a long exhale through the mouth) I managed to lose count of my backstrokes. Encouraged, I ordered my next two pieces of equipment-waterproof earplugs and Sun Bum 3-in-1, as I suddenly remembered I have blonde highlights and need to protect them. My middle workout was borderline dull-I could consistently do laps, and the novelty of swimming had worn off-but today?
It was a sassy “workout.”
Listening to music while swimming-WOW. Interestingly, country music sucked to swim to. The best? Worship or more upbeat pop. The aggressive stuff wasn’t quite right either. Anywise, best $35 ever.
“Danger Zone” was flipping fantastic to swim to!
So tonight, two weeks in, six 45+ minute sessions in, I’m watching swimming technique videos to prepare for the arrival of my prescription goggles. Only $20, but they’ll take a few weeks to get here.
I still weigh 181. The Buckeye suggests it may actually be muscle replacing fat, as I am definitely stronger in such a short amount of time.
That and my knees are no longer sound crunchy🧐
Hence, the sciencing.
Must learn more…and hope more, too. I had a return of the ulcer I didn’t catch fast enough, and when I called my doctor to get in I was stunned to find out I still wasn’t allowed in the office without a mask, regardless of vaccination status or my medical exemption from a pulmonologist.
The only one who cares about my health is me-and it may remain that way the rest of my life. Luckily, I was able to find out cabbage juice is a natural remedy for ulcers…and after a week of pain, the cabbage began to work its brown magic.
It’s vile. It smells. It works!
I’m going to be old in a few weeks. No denying it; it’s not a number, it’s freaking over the hill. That said, I have to get serious about staying healthy, especially since I’m likely to be denied medical care for the foreseeable future.
Now if only I could keep my hair dry while swimming….🤪😄
Hopefully more tales to follow soon!
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