To swim or not to swim

Question
Hi

I'm 21, 5ft 6" and weigh about 12 stone. I'm looking to lose about 1st / 1.5st. I get bored of the gym very easily and was wondering if swimming a couple times a week might be an effective way of toning up and losing weight. I tried to do some research into whether swimming is a good way to lose weight and have com across so many different views. Some say that swimming is great to lose weight as it uses nearly every muscle in the body and others say it will bulk up a person and lead to weight gain.

So my question really is do you think swimming is an effective way to lose weight?

Many thanks and look forward to hearing from you,

Jenna

Answer
Hi Jenna, I'm a psychologist and not a sports physiologist... but here is my 2 cents.  Anything that helps increase your metabolism (and swimming does providing you're swimming at a good pace) helps you burn up more calories and improves your basal metabolism  (you can read more about that at:  http://www.ditch-diets-live-light.com/basal-metabolic-rate.html and also at:  http://www.ditch-diets-live-light.com/fit-vs-fat.html).  I'd say read those two pages and then decide for yourself whether swimming will work for you or not.  For me the big question is:  Do you enjoy doing it?  Is it fun for you or are you going to start and then stop?  Consistently doing a regular amount is vastly better than doing 2 hours one day and nothing for 3.  Kind regards Cari

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