Ok, no offense to you swimmers! A friend of mine does not eat lunch, and often does not eat breakfast, she says that she doesn't eat because of swimming. Help me understand this. I play tennis, and I do not starve my-self. Is it a weight thing? What is it?
2007-05-17 08:55:06 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Swimming & Diving
Your friend is obviously clueless (im probably gonna get a million thumbs down for saying that), but really, swimming is not dependent on your weight like wrestling, but moreso your body strength (how well you can propel your body thru the water).
Contrary to your friends beliefs, swimming is one of the highest calorie-burning sports (probably 2nd to running), which means you need even more energy than usual. Where does this energy come from? FOOD! If you normally need 2000 calories per day then you may require between 2500-3000 (maybe even more) calories a day during swim season depending how serious you swim on a team.
Nutrition is very important, and you definitely need protein for muscle recovery and potassium to clear the lactic acid (prevent soreness). IF SHE DOESNT EAT, THERE'S NO WAY SHE CAN IMPROVE HERSELF. And if shes trying to lose weight she doesn't need to try b/c swimming will already do that for her. If continues to "diet" she will simply muscle mass.
If your friend wants to get better at swimming, tell her that she should do dryland exercise (situps, pushups) to increase her overall body strength, and definitely EAT!
BTW not eating breakfast is one of the worst thing for your body (both physically and mentally)
2007-05-17 15:31:55 · answer #1 · answered by yadaboy 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Starving has nothing to do with swimming. That's a terrible idea. If you've ever looked at swimmers, they are lean, but never stick thin. That's because they need the muscle mass to do such an exhausting thing like swim. Also, if your friend isn't eating due to an image issue, swimmers have an uncanny metabolism rate that destroys almost everything they eat, so they're not likely to be very fat. Starving yourself is detrimental in all ways, but especially a sport like swimming. Tell your friend that's not a good way to do it.
2007-05-17 10:46:13 · answer #2 · answered by syphongalaxy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She's just using it as an excuse, I think. All of the swimmers I have ever known eat like mad fiends, because they need the fuel for their muscles.
However, it is also true that a person with less fat on their body will float less, therefore having a better ability to push themselves through the water. Additionally, a long, lean body will help a swimmer cut through the water better than a fuller body would.
2007-05-17 09:04:55 · answer #3 · answered by abfabmom1 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If not being rude, but people sometimes don't eat becausae they are on a diet.
Most likely, (I'm a swimmer) it's not really a good idea.
The most likely thing is this. Swimmers want to normally have less weight, to go through the water faster. Your friend may be doing this and not eating means not as much sugar.
2007-05-17 09:03:28 · answer #4 · answered by Jack 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Swimmers don't starve themselves, people with body image issues starve themselves. I encourage my swimmers to eat as much as they want but to make healthy choices. The swimmer body is about a ratio of lean muscle mass to fat, not weight. Your friend sounds like she is making excuses for a problem. She needs help.
2007-05-17 10:17:16 · answer #5 · answered by Kristy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your friend is probably having some weight issues. Swimming opens your appetite...BIG TIME. In swimming you burn twice more calories than in any other sport. I'm competitive a swimmer, and at the peak of my season i eat almost twice what i would usually eat.
Try talking to her.
P.S.
not eating and going to practice makes swimmers want to vomit.
2007-05-17 17:43:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm a swimmer, and what she's doing really isn't a good idea. If you eat healthy and in moderation it helps you more than starving yourself.
2007-05-17 10:44:11 · answer #7 · answered by 17+33=50 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm a competitive swimmer, and let me tell you something I eat/drink more than football players. Swimmers do not starve themselves, your friend is a fool.
2007-05-17 12:14:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
we don't eat breakfast b/c we have 5:30 am practice, then school=no time. not eating lunch is weird tho. all my swim team friends are pigs, thyself included...lol. maybe she has a confidence issue
or, she could have a disorder called: female athlete triad.
1.undereating and overtraining
2.period problems
3.weak bones
check out seventeen magazine, april 2007 issue, pg 106 for more info...or look it up online
...hope this helps!
2007-05-19 12:24:27 · answer #9 · answered by a*27 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'm a swimmer and me and my friends eat a ton.
but just check to make sure that she doesn't have an eating disorder because i had a friend who was also a swimmer who almost died because her organs almost shut down.
just check her out before it could be too late.
2007-05-20 16:26:36 · answer #10 · answered by scoobydaniels 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋