Like a fish in water

January 28, 2011

As I wrote yesterday, I’ve had the winter blues a little this week. I had a couple of good workouts this week, but this morning I just couldn’t make myself get out of bed. I chose the extra sleep.

All day, this bugged me. I didn’t feel like I’ve done my absolute best this week. I want to keep the 100 pound momentum going. So for some reason I got an itch to swim 1 mile tonight at the gym. Why 1 mile? No idea. Last time I swam was about 50 pounds ago, and I made a video of it here. I had JUST started exercising and it was probably my 3rd day at the gym. I was a competitive swimmer growing up, so I always felt good in the water. But my endurance last time was really poor. I put 2 swimming-related items on my 101 in 1001 list: swim 1/2 mile and swim 1 mile.

So all day at work, I was psyching myself up for a date with the pool. Hubs had to work tonight and I didn’t have any other plans, so there was really no excuse for me NOT to go. I remembered again how I have never regretted a workout, and made myself go.

The gym pool is 25 meters (not 25 yards as some are). This means that it is a little under 65 lengths of the pool for 1 mile. Considering I wanted to start and end on the same end, I decided to do 66 lengths. I figured I’d take it slowly and just go as far as I felt comfortable.

The pool at Lexington Athletic Club

My biggest concern was remembering which lap I was on. I decided since it was 33 laps (2 lengths per lap) I would just count down from 33. So 2 lengths for 33, 2 lengths for 32, and so on.

I did a combination of freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, one armed butterfly and kicking with the kickboard. I wore my heart rate monitor and tried to do intervals as best I could, and actually think I did okay!

52 minutes and 25 seconds. That’s how long it took me to swim 1 mile.

I was really happy!

It’s incredible to be 354 pounds and have this kind of endurance. To some, this might sound braggy, but I honestly don’t care. I am damn proud of the work I’ve put in, and this is a non-scale victory that reminds me even after a crummy-feeling week that I have achieved something.

Wrinkly fingers!

In just over 52 minutes I turned the entire perspective about the past week around.
Don’t ever accept yourself for less than what you are. Ever.

Tell me about a non scale victory this week. Having a bad week? Tell me something that you will do to make yourself feel better.

  • http://myyeartothrive.wordpress.com MyYearToThrive

    that’s awesome about the swimming! I mentioned a few NSVs in my blog this week, & the one I will share here is I started a tennis class this week. I have never been big into sports, but have wanted to learn to play for a while. Unfortunately, I don’t know anyone who plays tennis. So voila! I enrolled for Beginner Tennis at the local CC. It was a lot of fun & I’m really looking forward to being able to play an actual match:~)

  • http://weightlossandportioncontrol.blogspot.com/ Heather

    My NSV is that I can wear a size 16 Missy top. I was able to put on a size 16 Missy dress. It was too tight. I am about 30lbs from being able to fit into it (I am 5’10), but it was a huge victory. Especially at a point where I just wanted to give up. I am taking it day by day, but I will get through this.

    Congrats on all you are doing Emmie. You are one of my inspirations in all this. Thank you!

  • http://lessofmimi.wordpress.com Melissa Fritcher

    That is awesome! Brag away, sweetie! You’ve every right!! :D
    I’m bouncing back from illness and injury and my diet off track and it’s slow going. I’m proud of myself for pushing things, but I have to balance that with awareness so I don’t go too far and set myself back further. It’s hard to feel good about the last few weeks, but I’m trying to find silver linings. It’s so helpful when I can see other’s successes even when I’m spinning my wheels. You are inspirational. Keep it up!!

  • http://beccarunsboston.wordpress.com Becca

    Brag on, girl! I’ve never swam a mile in my life! The past few times i’ve tried swimming i’ve done *maybe* ten laps and been exhausted.

    I don’t know about a NSV but i had a big breakthrough this week figuring out why i’m so addicted to the scale 3-4 times a day and permanently ditching the scale until March 1st. It’s been five days and I’m going strong :)

  • http://abloggoeshere.blogspot.com/ Nicole

    Being proud of yourself does NOT mean you’re bragging. That is a great achievement and you deserve to feel really good about yourself for it!

  • http://www.skinny-ways.com Josie @ The Skinny Way Of Life

    good for you! you should be proud! this has been a rough week for me. I plan, no. I AM going to wake up tomorrow and make the best of it. I’m leaving the dishes and cleaning for later. I’m focusing on myself and enjoying the kids.

  • http://TamsynSimon.com Tamsyn

    Brag on! My non scale victory is a complete non-weight-loss victory. lol My dance studio was voted into the top two in the area. I’m on cloud nine today. :)

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  • http://strangelyblogging.blogspot.com Sarah

    Awesome and great job! I’m impressed and feel that you have every right to brag. You’re doing great. :)

  • http://anewertammy.com Tammy

    Nothing wrong with being proud of your own accomplishments. You’ve worked hard and it shows with your results.

    I used to love to swim and was on a swim team growing up. Now, you couldn’t pay me enough to have less than pants on in public. That makes me sad and I hope one day I can swim again.

    This week I haven’t exercised, so I’m not feeling that great about myself. How am I going to fix that…tomorrow I will except no excuse and will walk at least a mile on the treadmill.

    Great job tonight Emmie!

  • http://my100poundmeltdown.com/ Melissa Cohoe

    Way to go! I shared a non scale victory this week on my YouTube channel. I got a compliment from a trainer at the gym who was impressed at the amount of weight I could do on the squat machine! Another non scale victory is something I did just tonight. I am on week #3 of the Couch 2 5K program, and since today was so BEAUTIFUL outside, I decided instead of going to the gym and doing it on the treadmill, I did it outside! I felt some anxiety as there were a LOT of people outside in my neighbourhood! It felt AMAZING to be able to do it and feel like an actual “runner” even though I have a long road ahead!

  • http://livestartled.com kathleen @LiveStartled

    Very proud of you. A fish returning to water. Enjoy!

  • http://responsibility199.blogspot.com Patrick

    WHat I like best about your day is how you used your date with the pool to keep you motivated throughout the day.

    Nope, you are not bragging, you are inspiring. So keep on shouting it up here!

  • http://debbidoesdieting.blogspot.com/ Debbi Does Dinner Healthy

    You should be proud!! That’s awesome!

  • http://breadlessbrandi.blogspot.com/ Brandi

    You have every right to brag! I’m about 130 pounds and could NOT do that. I guarantee you’re in better shape than I am and you totally deserve to be proud. I’m so excited for you!! =)

  • http://hiptobeasquare.wordpress.com Ed

    Way to go! I love swimming; it’s my favorite cardio. Keep up being awesome!

  • iBirgitta

    Hi ModestEmmy, whenever you feel like you are bragging, chances are, we don’t feel that at all! :)

    Congrats on completing 2 things on your list

    (and I just realized it should be blend, not bend, please ignore my ramblings on your older post)

  • http://www.tealesmeals.blogspot.com Teale

    Good for you! What a great accomplishment! I think I would’ve had a hard time keeping count of those laps!

  • http://themotivationalgirl.blogspot.com Sheri

    Great job!!! I know I get in a rut sometimes like today and I really don’t want to do anything, so will just have to see. Last night I thought I wouldn’t workout and I did for 70 minutes. I felt good afterwards needless to say.

  • Sara

    That’s not braggy, that’s freaking awesome. Imagine what your endurance will be in another 100 pounds! And please, brag a little. Losing 100 pounds is not something that happens every day. I’ve lost 35 pounds (20% of my body weight), and I try not to brag, but I’m also honest about the pride I have for my hard work.

  • http://www.simplylifeblog.com/ Simply Life

    That’s great you went swimming! It’s such a good workout – I get out of breath within about 2 minutes!

  • http://www.skinnygirlsetfree.blogspot.com Jo

    Good for you, girl! Keep up the good work! And hey…it’s TOTALLY ok to brag on yourself! You deserve it – for sure!

    Non-scale victory for me this week? I JUST finished the 30-in-30 Run Challenge over at Mapmyrun.com! I finished 8 days early! Woo hoo!

  • http://allieslife.com Allison

    Um, WOW! I have to say I’m really impressed with your mile. I’m not a swimmer but I’m currently at the Navy’s Aircrew Candidate School (sucky) and we have to swim a mile in under 80 minutes. Surprisingly a lot of people fail out because of this, they don’t have the endurance. That’s right, 18-25 year old kids right out of bootcamp can’t do this! I swam my mile in a little over 73 minutes, and I’m still happy with myself for swimming a whole mile. 52 minutes is AWESOME!

  • http://www.whynotme.us Wendy Speigner

    You deserve to feel good about that! It is awesome! I’m so proud (and inspired) by you!! I know you’ll have an amazing week!! :) HUGS!

  • http://studentonahealthcraze.blogspot.com Ali

    Wow, congratulations!! Swimming 1 mile is a major accomplishment, I bet it felt good to cross those two ‘tasks’ off the list :)

  • Lisa T

    Brag away sister, you earned it! That 1 mile swim is impressive!!

    My NSV may not make sense to a lot of people, but it meant a lot to me. I am taking a weekly cross country ski class and yesterday I “got” the timing for something called V-2. It is a particular combination of poling and skating on your skis. I’m totally new to skate skiing (and it is quite different than traditional striding xc skiing) and the first time the instructor introduced V2 I just could not get it. Yesterday? breakthrough! It felt awesome.

  • http://www.bellainlapbandland.com Bella

    You should definitely be proud of this accomplishment – that’s huge endurance. And now you can check something off of your list!!

    My NSV is that I went to not one but two new exercise classes at the gym last week. And even though I found out that neither one were my cup of tea, at least I went, tried them, and stuck with them for 30 minutes before deciding enough was enough.

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  • http://stellarfashion.blogspot.com/ Jennifer

    Wow! So impressed! I’ve never tried swimming as a workout but I really want to. I’m not sure that I have the proper form, but all I can do is try, right? Congrats on an excellent workout! And, even more, on having such a great attitude!

    • http://www.110pounds.com Lisa

      I highly recommend swimming as a workout! I lost 100 pounds through swimming. If you’ve never had a lesson before your local community pool should offer adult lessons. If you’re already an okay swimmer but want to check your form I suggest a lesson or two to correct mistakes. Good luck! :)

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  • http://www.110pounds.com Lisa

    YIPPEEE!!!! As you know I love swimming. And I love seeing other people start swimming for weight loss!

    Counting the lengths becomes easier as you swim more. Now I do it without even thinking about it and if I somehow lose track? I just swim a few extra laps.

    I swim 1.25 miles in 35 minutes. I love that with practice I’ve gotten faster!

  • Middle age swimmer

    so tell me how to work up to it. i can swim but I have little endurance!

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