I'd be interested to know others experiences in the water, as when I tried thinking 'this will be ideal for getting back to a reasonable fitness level' I was amazed to find my body would not float and did not react as expected or hoped, I was scared to let go of the side and did not spend much time in the water as it felt overly cold and I really don't think my body generates heat like it did pre BI, thank Christ I did not jump straight in at the deep end, I tried again at a local gym where the water was almost bath like and in depth for the whole length of the pool using a life jacket, this too was not wise as my week left leg was bothersome and even with non slip footwear I did not feel safe, I reckon its the "high tone" in the muscles, this means the muscles are overly tight, and I'm sure its necessary to relax in the water, ah well that's another natural activity crossed off.
Swimming anyone?: I'd be interested to know others... - Headway
Swimming anyone?
Hi again Fred
Back from the facial and difficult to tell if I look 2 years younger but it was very relaxing and I’m glad I had it.
Now, swimming, personally I find it fine, apart from walking it’s my main source of exercise, although I have bought a full face snorkel mask to help with breathing,
I have to keep my face free of the water otherwise and can’t do normal breathing for swimming, but with me I can’t fall over in water so feel safer.
Janet x
I've tried all throughout my life to swim & ended up taking private lessons aged 50. My intructor told me that certain people just don't have the bouyancy to float ..............& I'm one of them ! I can swim half a breadth with armbands, but try without and I sink like a brick.
I also have an allergy to chlorine & developed severe bronchitis after my final attempts. But I'm so envious of swimmers ; it must be such a liberating feeling.
I made sure my kids could swim though, and when I watched my grandson go from a scared, shivering little boy to the one dashing along the walkway and flinging himself into the deep end I'm even more envious (but so proud). x
I was and am a strong swimmer, quite happy swimming in the ocean. It took me a while not to be nervous about swimming but one holiday we had the pool and after that I got back my sea legs.
I never really was able to float, generally needed to tread water, probably due to muscle mass.
I love swimming and i find it very freeing because it's weight bearing and I can move so much more easily. I swim with a noodle float and use mostly my arms and give off kick with legs. Maybe try it in hydropool?
It' name of my cat
I joined a corporate gym the winter after having the head injury, and while it feels like a modern gulag with rows of people who pay lots of money for the privilege of jogging watching telly, the swimming pool is usually quiet during the day and is a bit warmer than the council pools plus there's hot tubs nearby for when it feels cold/tiring. It left it when the weather returned to warm and haven't felt the need since but it's worth spending money on your own wellbeing after a head injury for sure.