I know that any exercise is better than sitting around all day, but I really want to lose as much fat as is possible without being unhealthy.  Is swimming an effective way to burn fat off my body?
204455
Swimming is an excellent way to lose fat and very low impact. Just remember that in order to lose weight, you must stay in the heart rate zone (135-160) for a good and constant period of time, like 20-30 minutes each time. Work up to it if you can't swim for 30 minutes straight.
443140
Not actually, what the other person answered was correct for working out, but not for swimming.  The cold water (compared to the body's temperature) will prevent the body from burning the calories it would normally burn with the degree of workout swimming provides.\n\nSwimming tones and builds muscles-and especially the upper body-so the breast appear smaller because the underlying muscles (there are three pectoral muscles) are worked during swimming and the become larger.  This stretches the skin of the breast and spreads the breast tissue out over a larger area which gives the appearance of smaller breast.  Swimming will also attempt to remove any sagging that was present before.  Swimming will also give you an awesome set of gluts (butt) (again there are three gluts) You know, the cute little bottle butt. If you quit the boobs will come back.  Swimming is not a good exercise for loosing weight, but it is the best exercise possible to become/remain trim/muscular/toned.  Swimming uses every muscle in the body. It's the only exercise that does.
621012
You apparently have a genetic predisposition for collecting fat around your mid-section.  Take a look at your relatives and you probably will find someone else who is like you.\n\nStomach exercises will not likely make much difference, though it is good to have strong abdominal muscles as they will protect you from have low back problems (a very common problem)  So I would not discourage you from stomach exercises, just don't expect the exercises to change much.\n\nReducing caloric intake is a start (spread small meals over the day so you don't depress your metabolism) but you would do very well to increase aerobic activity.  Bicycle riding, swimming, jogging, roller bladding, or any other activity that you do for some time (over an hour at a time) will be helpful in burning off that extra fat. \n\nOne last thing is that having extra fat around your mid section is a risk factor for heart disease.  So not only do you have an incentive to look better, it is something that will make you healthier too. \n\nGood luck.
623763
Hello..I will tell you with 100% sureness that that theory is absolutely wrong( I mean that the chilly/cold water) help you burn calories.Dear,is it again 100% proven that the opposite the intake of lukewarm to bearable hot water "boost" your metabolism and respectively help you to burn fat..By the way,there are some regimes which are based on the intake of lukewarm water,daily,separated portions through the whole day.Celebrities like Madonna and some models drink at least 4 to 6 cups of such water and that's one of their "secret" weapons against fat reciduius..I have made it and for one month,along with the moderate diet I lost 5 kilograms.Every day I start the day with a cup of hot water..it really works!! Good luck!!
104611
Great exercise and therapy:\n\n Swimming can be very demanding for the beginner. Exercise at a comfortable pace and periodically check your heart rate to make sure you're staying in your training range. It is recommended that beginners swim 12-20 minutes, building endurance with time. As you progress, you'll be able to swim farther and faster at each workout, and the efficiency of your strokes will improve. Intermediate swimmers should swim 20-30 minutes and advanced swimmers 30-60 minutes. The freestyle, or crawl, is the most efficient and strenuous stroke. A 150 pound person burns about 8.5 calories, a minute, swimming freestyle. \n\n If you get tired, switch to a less strenuous stroke, such as the sidestroke or breaststroke, or swim a few laps with a kickboard. Swimming in sets - 4 laps freestyle, 4 laps breaststroke, 4 laps backstroke, for example - will make your workout more interesting and will exercise more muscles\n\nSimple Water Exercises:\n\n Kick with a kickboard or holding on to the side of the pool to tone legs, back and stomach. \n\n Leg lifts also condition legs, back and stomach. \n\n Holding on to the side of the pool, lift each leg 10 times in front of you, behind you and to each side. \n\n Running in the water increases your heart rate just as swimming does. Many people who can't run on land can run in the water without a problem. Because of the water's resistance, the impact on your body is far less. In chest-high water, begin by running with your hands on your head, and as you become more fit, paddle with your arms. You can alternate running with skipping, hopping, or even dancing in the water.\n\n Bobbing up and down in the water improves breathing and muscle tone. \n\n Treading in the water improves arm and leg strength. Whatever your level of ability, remember to cool down afterwards with water or stretching exercises
147868
Running in the park & treadmill work best for me, along with a sensible diet. More vegetables than meat, along with lots of salids. we need the protein also, but watch fatty cuts. Swimming is also good if you can do several laps. I like to work my legs good. can burn caloties & help with the running. Any good work out that brings on the sweat will burn calories and that is really the name of the game. For me, counting all calories has been the best weight loss diet of all. Got to see yourself thin. Diet or workouts by themselves alone never work. It takes both in equal effort.
1671
swimming is by far the best sport.  you can swim a couple times a week.  and if the person is slouching too much, it almost wouldnt matter with regular swimming.  the swimming would protect the back far more then the slouching all day.  its an all around excercise that keeps the spine in good shape.  i wouldnt say that it would correct all problems because what if  this was something that was unavoidable no matter what?  so...in that case, swimming would counter it.  but, there is no other sport that is better for posture then swimming.
187076
Eating healthy, consistent exercise and lots of water is the right way to start and are important for a healthy lifestyle but they won't necessarily cause you to lose weight.\n\nTo use exercise to lose weight:\nYour cardio exercise should have your heart rate at a minimum of 80% of maximum which is generally 220 - age\nand maintain that for over 20 minutes. At 20 minutes, your blood glucose level is depleted and your muscles start to burn fat so every minute beyond 20 minutes you are directly burning fat. If you increase your muscle mass, it does increase your weight since muscle is denser than fat but you burn more calories even when you are resting when you have more muscle. \n\nThe last five-ten pounds will not come off so easily however short of starting a fitness plan that has you training for a marathon (running so much that it matters less about much you eat though what you eat will affect performance).
73042
I'm pretty sure it's best to do whole body exercizes. That's why running and swimming give really good results, because they work a lot of your body and not just one part.\nAlso, you don't want to put too much strain on a body part of it could become sore.
438969
If you don't like to workout or do sports......there is two other things you could do...is  Yoga/Pilates. Denise Austin, or Winsor Pilates/yoga are known as the BEST body sculpting and weight loss but also give you curves which is BEST for swimsuit season! You could go on Prevention.com, they have some good recipes that are healthy but can still be filling, also they have samples of dance videos that gives your body a new full makeover. Alot of people asked me this, just the same question as you just did. Beside, a good healthy diet works, and be sure to avoid sugar, you can have like a bar of candy once a day to just get rid of your sugar urge. Hope this helps. Ciao!\n-----Kat
541376
The most effective way to lose fat is aerobic exercise in the "moderate" fat-burning range, ideally first thing in the morning before you eat. When you wake your body is ready to burn fat and your levels of growth hormone are highest at that time. Later in the day it can take up to 30 minutes just to put your body into a fat-burning mode. \n\nAnother overlooked way to burn fat is by lifting weights. Skeletal muscle has very high caloric needs... almost twice that of adipose (fat) tissue. Put on a little muscle and you will burn calories all day even at rest. Be aware that skeletal muscle weighs more, so with this approach you may see your weight increasing while your body fat is melting away. Not realizing this often stresses folks who think they should be losing weight as a measure of fitness. Forget the scale, look in the mirror and you will be happy.\n\nIf you are trying to build muscle as a way to lose fat, then you may need to increase total calories and specifically your protein intake. I target about 0.8 g of protein per pound of body weight each day when actively building. That is far more protein than most people need in their diets.\n\nYou are welcome to look at my 360 Blog of September 10 for more detailed suggestions.\n\n\nAloha
361771
Swimming is a great exercise for ab muscles and legs.  If you see yourself as an "apple or pear" shape person, swimming will definitely help you in these areas.  It is nonshocking to your joints, it is aerobic and also fun.  As far as diet pills, stay away from them the side affects do more harm than good and there isnt a wonder pill on the market as of yet that doesnt have a side affect that can kill you.  Of course, a good diet would be helpful- join a gym that has a pool and have a trainer go over what exercises you can start off at and gradually increase to get the results you want by the summer, they also have nutritionists at the better gyms and since it is near the holidays, they usually run specials for Christmas - so check it out--- good luck on your goal to a new you!!
640932
moderate exercise for a long period of time burns fat. Fat burns from all parts of your body at once, NOT 'certain areas". \n\nKeep biking, or better yet, running. AND- eat right.\n\nYou will lose the fat!
654373
Just any cardio that burns fat. My doctor told me that there is no way to target fat in any area of your body. Fat burning happens uniformly across your body. Elliptical works, swimming works too. Just cardio exercise works, along with drinking water (drinking water helps tighten up your skin). Also start doing exercises that work the muscles in your sides and that may help too.
42610
My doctor gave me a book, "Body for Life" by Bill Phillips. If you don't enjoy working out, that could be your problem. This worked for me. When you take in protein, you're only supplying your body with what it needs to make muscle mass. If it doesn't need to get stronger, it won't make muscle. Even if it did, you would be gaining weight because of it. In order to lose fat, you need to burn calories, eat ALOT of unprocessed fruit (fresh) and lots of natural calcium. Processed foods don't work as well as natural ones, but no one knows why. But whatever the case, exercise is ESSENTIAL to losing fat. Imagine a swimming pool that needs to be drained. You can either open the drain, or sit there and wait for the water to evaporate off, which will never happen. That's basically it. I lost 42 lbs with this book and I feel like a new person now in other areas of my life. I promise, all you need is a little motivation.
234202
I do not think so, my personal trainer is a master swimmer who broke all the records at his college. He is an bodybuilder as well in very good shape. Check him out on my 360 (Brett) in the pictures that should prove to you that swimming will not restrict your muscle growth.\n\nIt should be noted that to much cardio will restrict it however swimming is a poor form of cardio, great for muscle tone and endurance but not for fat loose. If you want the reason why just message me with the subject so i now who youa are.
252065
it doesn't matter if it is in cold water. i'm on the swim team. and i usually get hungry after practice but i waste a lot of my energy swimming, so i gain it all back with food :) yeah, swimming is a good way to lose calories. i lost about 7 pounds since i've joined.