Swimming Is Not A Sport, It's Survival

My friend, Bob, is a funny guy. He has a unique way of thinking and he once told me that swimming is not a sport, it is survival. In a manner of speaking, he is right. If you are in a body of water, you better know how to swim. I love to swim, it is my favorite type of exercise for many reasons. The number one reason is because it doesn't feel like exercise. It just feels like fun. Living in Florida, I have plenty of opportunity to spend time in or near the water. I have lived near the water since I was a small child. I have a special affinity for water creatures and I feel most comfortable when I am near the water. Before I was born, my great grandfather owned Clearwater Beach, located on the west coast of Florida. He was also the mayor of Clearwater and, for reasons unknown to me, decided to donate the land to the city. So, due to altruistic reasons among others, I am not financially well off.

When I was a teenager, ( a few years ago ), I took up surfing. That was the beginning of my adult reverence for the water. Even just standing on the beach watching the waves break, I am in awe of their power. Now I mostly just boogie board or body surf, but I still love it and it is one of the best ways to get fit.

Losing weight sounds simple. In order to do lose weight or inches, you must expend more calories than you take in. Sounds easy, right? The first step is knowing how many calories that you take in per day. Most people have no idea, I didn't until I started paying attention. How many calories you expend per day depends on many things, including your body type, your metabolism, and your level of activity.

Your body type is important. Many people believe that overweight people are that way because they are lazy and gluttonous. This is not true for the most part. Many overweight people have a problem with their thyroid, which is the organ that regulates weight. Also, body type often is hereditary. This doesn't mean that these people can't get fit, it is just that it will be more difficult. Everyone knows someone that can eat as much as they want without gaining weight. These are the people that usually have been blessed with a high metabolism and a slender body type. I comfort myself with the knowledge that thinner people show their age sooner. Yes, it is true, skinny people get more wrinkles!

Metabolism is how quickly and efficiently your body uses fuel (food). There are several ways to increase your metabolism, so do not despair. Eat several smaller meals per day. Eating smaller meals several times a day allows your body to maintain a more balanced glucose level. In contrast, if you only eat one or two large meals a day, your body may use less energy and hold on to it's fuel longer, thus you have a hard time losing weight. Elevated levels of physical activity over time will also raise your metabolism. As a plus, physical activity reduces stress, releases endorphins, and reduces your appetite! Finally, although muscle mass weighs more than fat, the more muscle that you carry, the more calories that you burn during rest.

All of the activities in the above table are good cardio activities. I have done all of them at some point and I can honestly say, I prefer swimming and water sports to all of them. Each of them have their place for all around balanced fitness, but swimming works every muscle in your body if done right. In addition, I find that I do not even notice the time going by when I am in the water, so I end up exercising longer. Growing up in Florida has made it very easy to enjoy the water.