It takes at least two weeks to form a habit. Some habits come naturally, while others are harder to make stick. Making a plan to lose weight often means forming healthier habits and kicking other unhealthy ones to the curb. Anyone who has ever tried to lose weight knows how difficult forming those habits are. It’s not always as easy as eating more fruits and vegetables and getting a little exercise, though. Weight loss takes time, commitment, and a lot of hard work. And results are not always apparent after two weeks. However, don’t get discouraged if you’ve already faltered on your New Year’s weight loss plan. Finding the right exercise regimen for you takes trial and error. If you’ve already busted your New Year’s weight loss plan, try a swim spa! Swim spas have so much to offer, including high-resistant, low-impact exercises that are designed to help you lose weight. With technologically-advanced temperature controls you can use your swim spa all year long, so you’ll never fall out of your hard-formed habits due to cold weather.
Resistance Swimming Burns Calories
One of the greatest perks that swim spas offer that traditional pools don’t is higher resistance swimming. Resistance swimming forces you to use your muscles more, and you’re using your entire body. This burns so many calories while building up your muscle strength. Thanks to the buoyancy of the water, however, you won’t tire as quickly, allowing you to work out even more. Swim against the current at whatever speed you’d like. With a TidalFit swim spa by Artesian Spas, you’re in control of the current level.
Try Interval Training
Interval training is a great way to burn calories. By combining shorter bursts of high-intensity workouts with low-intensity recovery phases, you’ll work out your body more in less time. Luckily for you, TidalFit Exercise Pools and FitSpas offer more than just resistant swimming. Rowing bars and resistant cords are great accessories to add to your weight loss regimen. Do some intense strength training like rowing for 20 minutes, then fit light-resistant swim sessions in between. Find a good rhythm and work with it, or mix it up from time to time.
Watch Your After-Swim Appetite
The rumors are true; there is such a thing as the post-swim munchies. Along with whole-body workout burning tons of calories comes a hunger strike! Plus, the cooler temperature of the water causes your body to try to maintain its normal 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. This increases your metabolism, and your body automatically wants to eat back what was burned in order to stay warm.
There are several ways to address post-swim hunger pangs:
- Come up with an after-swim snack that not only hushes your grumbling stomach but boosts all of the hard work you just did. Great after-swim snacks include sweet potato wedges, hummus on whole wheat pita bread, hard-boiled eggs, and roasted almonds. Do some research on after-swim snacks and ask other swimmers what they like. Or, if you are working with a nutritionist, ask for their recommendations. Once you find a few tasty, healthy snacks you like, you won’t feel guilty for fueling your body with the nutrients it needs.
- Remember: swim spas are temperature controlled. Turn up the heat a little bit so your body isn’t fighting to stay warm on top of getting a whole-body work out. But don’t turn it up so high that you overheat during your workout. The ideal swimming water temperature ranges from 78 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit. So, consider keeping it in the lower 80s for warmer water. Swimming in warmer water may help with the hunger pangs, so you’re not tempted to overeat. As your body adjusts to your new swimming regimen, then consider turning the temperature back down to burn more calories.
- Be sure to drink plenty of water before, during, and after you’re done swimming. Often times when you are feeling hungry, sometimes you’re really just thirsty. Try drinking up to 24 ounces before hopping in your swim spa, and be sure to take a few sips between intense sessions. Then drink another 24 ounces within the first 30 minutes after swimming. If you are still hungry after that, go ahead and have your nutritious snack.
Post-workout spa stretch and soak
Reward yourself with a post-workout hydrotherapy session in your swim spa. Not only will this help with stress levels (helping you to not eat the stress away), it will also assist in your post-workout recovery. One of the hardest things about getting into an exercising habit is being sore after. Hunger and soreness are not great motivators for losing weight. So after an intense calorie-burning workout, take 10 minutes to do some cooldown stretches in the gently swirling water. Crank the heat up a bit to improve blood flow and relax your muscles. Then close your eyes and take a breather before hopping out for your healthy after-swim snack.
If you’ve already busted your weight loss plan, try a swim spa! Lose weight with low-impact, high-resistant swim exercise in the convenience and privacy of your own backyard with a TidalFit Exercise Pool or FitSpa DT or DTL from The Pool People. As the premier pool and spa dealer in Central and Northern Wisconsin, we have the swim spa that’s right for you. Along with awesome health and wellness benefits, you can use your new swim spa to entertain family and guests, or for your own wellness, rest and relaxation. Contact The Pool People today to view first-hand how a swim spa can transform your life and health!
