We all have those days… months… years, where life just gets away from us. You used to do squad in high school and had a great PB. And then you look at the clock and realise you haven’t been swimming for the last ten years.
It happens to the best of us. But that doesn’t mean you can’t start anew. Here’s six handy tips for getting back into the habit of swimming.
1. Start Slow
Get back into the water at your own pace. If you haven’t been to the pool in a long time, it can help to get used to the water again. Bring the family and have some fun. If you feel like laps, great. If not, no harm no foul. And remember, nobody is judging the time on your laps, and there’s no reason to push your body beyond what’s comfortable.
2. Be Consistent
Being consistent is the hardest part about setting up a new routine. Like promising to meditate every day, it can be hard to make it stick. That’s why it’s important to set aside a block of time in your calendar, say, three times a week for swimming. And make sure you block off time to allow getting to the pool, changing, drying, and leaving. It’s much easier to make it work when you have realistic deadlines for everything involved in the process.
3. Grab A Buddy
Because two heads are better than one. A training partner is a great way to make your newfound fitness routine a great social opportunity. It’s also a great way to keep each other accountable. It’s much harder to go “oh, I’ll just miss this one session” when your phone keeps blowing up with messages from your swimming bestie.
4. Eat Well
It’s easy to get into the wrong routine. A pizza one night becomes a pizza four nights a week. A latte before work becomes three over the course of the day. Like filling a car with the wrong fuel, it’s much harder to do the things you need to do if you don’t have the right power source. Maintaining a good diet with keep your energy up and bump you in the right directing towards staying disciplined and motivated to swim.
5. Stay Positive
New routines are hard. There’s no getting around that fact. But they can be very rewarding. And in the early stages, it’s important to ensure that you focus on the rewarding side, and not get caught up in the change to your routine. Remember, swimming is a great way to stay healthy. And a healthy body leads to a longer, happier, and more fulfilled life. That should always be on your mind when you hit the water.
6. Dress For Success
Not a must, but a great motivator. A new swimsuit makes you feel more confident in the water, and proud to be swimming again. It will also help you stick to your new schedule – you bought the outfit, so it makes sense to use it.
Getting back into the water after a long break can be difficult. But it’s a worthwhile goal to achieve. By following these steps, you’ll break the slump – see you in the water soon.