I don’t think chickens like to get wet and that’s sorta where we’re similar. I like to get wet (don’t be perverted), but I’m chicken to get in the water. It isn’t because I think that I look bad in my bathing suit and I think everyone will laugh at me. Not at all. In fact, I think that I look better in my swimming suit than most anything else because my swimming suit is one of those magical kind that makes you look slimmer. What I’m chicken about is my ability to swim. I’d like to be able to swim at the Y, but I’m afraid that I’ll a) look stupid because my technique sucks or b) I’ll make it all of three feet and have to walk the rest of the way because I have no stamina. And then, what if I swim into the deep end, but can’t swim all the way to the side of the pool and I start to drown and a lifeguard has to throw me a line and everyone gathers around and says, “look at that funny old lady who thought she could swim!” and they laugh at me. Then what?
I keep thinking that I’m going to go swimming at the Y, so I bring all my stuff–swim suit, towel, flip flops, comb for after the swim–but then when I get into the pool area and there are other people there, I chicken out and end up in the hot tub instead. I don’t burn many calories in there. Mostly I just sweat a few off. Don’t get me wrong, it feels good, really good, in the hot tub. I just need the exercise that the regular pool offers. Someone said, “Try water aerobics!” I would, but they never seem to offer classes for times that are doable for me. I should start my own aerobics. I’ll just wear a swim cap that says, “Impromptu Aquaerobics” on it. I wonder how long it would take for the Y to kick me out. Plus, I’d just look silly.
I guess I just have to jump in the water and get over my chickeness. If people laugh at me, then poop on them.
Swim like nobody’s watching! Or something like that
Dooo eeet! I love to swim, but then I hate being wet afterward. I think it’s a Leo (feline) thing.
I think that one of those quickie courses is a great idea. I will tell you a little secret…half of us that love to swim really don’t know how to officially “swim” either. I’m all about the water and yanno, I can tread and make my way to shore if necessary but if you asked me to do a butterfly stroke, I’d look at you like you had two heads.
I think it boils down to letting go of the fear, which is what a class will help you do.
Here’s what you do. Ask the trainers at the Y if any of them would teach you an adult swim class. They may even add it to the roster. I can guarantee you that at least a couple of them are water-safety instructors (the people who teach swimming) and/or scuba instructors (the YMCA was one of the first scuba certifying agencies), which means they know their stuff and would be glad to help you. Don’t get chicken. Do it, because swimming is such an awesome, low-impact aerobic exercise.
@Annie–So, I should put a blindfold on? Then I will look really silly.
@Finn–I like being wet because then I’m not so hot. Ideally anyway.
@Hilly–Butterfly stroke? What’s that??
@Coal Miner’s Granddaughter–Good idea. Or maybe even just befriending one of the lifeguards and asking them for tips on how to increase my stamina without looking like a idiot.
Here you go!
http://is.gd/ekURW
@Hilly–That was awesome and beautiful and I can look at how to do other swimming strokes, too. Hopefully easier ones because that butterfly stroke looks HARD! Thank you!
@Hilly–After watching some of the videos, it seems that I’ve been doing the breast stroke all along, but I never knew it was that. I thought it was something I made up on my own and that it was something that just I did. I must have learned it in swimming lessons when I was little but then forgot I actually learned it.
That’s too funny! I was just about to come back here and comment that I am a big fan of the breast stroke. I hate getting my face wet cause of my contact lenses, LOL.
I loooooooooove to swim and never get to. I can’t imagine being afraid of it but then my husband just flat out hates it.
If you make a swim cap like that, please get two and send one to me.