Yay swimming!! And a question about swimming for those who are experts out there.

Tonight I went out and tried the lane swim at my local pool. I was very nervouse to say the least. Anything in a bathingsuit has my knees a-knocking. haha. Anyhow. I had a BLAST! I started out in the leisure lane and took my time. I haven't swam like that since highschool. Then I moved up to the slow lane and eventually the medium lane. It was a great cardio workout. I did the breast stroke, front crawl (is that what they still call it?), backstroke, isolated kicking with my legs and holding a flutterboard, and then isolated strokes with my arms, and a floaty thing between my knees. The whole time I swam, my mantra was "Take that you saggy batwings!! " I fully plan on making this a regular activity. Hopefully it tone my arms enough to make even a slight difference in my nasty arm skin? Here's hoping!

And my question for those of you who swim on a regular basis: My hair is already like straw post WLS, now add in the chlorine...DISASTER! Does anyone put a treatment in their hair pre-swim to protect it from chlorine. I don't know how keen I am on a swimcap. I just imagine all that rubber pulling even more hair out.

wooo.hooo.. I love to swim and lane swimming is the best .. hair..errr... good luck..hahaha... the swim caps I have learned do NOT keep your hair dry...just makes you a little faster in the pool... I make sure to wash my hair with soap and good conditioner the SECOND I get out of the pool... I wash at the pool. Every week I do a leave in conditioner treatment...

Juls

Thx for the suggestion.  Wasn't too keen on showering at the pool, but it is literally a 3 minute walk from my house so I hopped in the shower as soon as I stepped in the door, and loaded up on the conditioner.  Do you swim at the Clarkson Rec? 

I was a competitive swimmer for 9 years and believe it or not, swimming caps really do protect your hair. Just wet it in clean water before putting the cap on, and wash your hair with a good shampoo and conditioner after. Caps don't pull hair out when you lift it off. I prefer the feel of silicone caps, but latex ones are cheaper and last longer where silicone caps tend to tear after a fairly short period of time.

I had a blonde (distinction only made because blonde hair seems more sensitive to chlorine) teammate who consequently refused to wear a swimming cap and it did not take many weeks before her hair started turning a nasty shade of green and the texture of "If I only had a brain" from "Wizard of Oz".

Kristin.

Thx.  I have heard to coat your hair inconditioner, thought that the facility didn't really allow that.  Maybe I'll just try it and see if anyone says anything.  My hair is a bit brittle right now.  I breaks way too easily, so I don't want to do anything to cause more damage.

As good as it is for your hair, it's really not good for the pool water cleanliness. I'd invest in a good cap if you're concerned.

There are a few shampoos out there that specifically take out chlorine.

Another suggestion is to coat your hair in a really good conditioner before going into the water.

Even just wetting your hair before you go in is good because then your hair is absorbing clean water and not the chemical water.

I have been a lifeguard for 16 years and I just use moistirizing shampoo, conditioner, leave in conditioner etc.  ALOT!

 This may sound gross, but when I was a kid, my hair would be really bad after being at my Gran's for summer vacation because I was swimming in clorine every day.  When I got home, my Mom put mayo in my hair (eggs would probably work too), leave it in for a bit then wa**** out.  That was one home remedy.

Good luck,
Cathy

i remember doing that mayo treatment!!

I swim pretty regularly - I use a silicone swim cap - makes a huge difference and after the swim I put in some of my regular conditionar and don't rinse it out.  Just a small dab - my hair dries fine with it.  The silicone caps don't pull on your hair the same way a latex one will - easier to put on and take off.

You can also try putting in some conditioner before - but honestly a swim cap will make the most difference.  I use it all the time.


Happy Swimming!