If you want to join the swim team, probably the first thing you need to do is talk to the swim-team coach. My guess is that there probably are minimum requirements to join (swim-speed, etc.). One thing the coach will have to keep in mind is whether or not you will become a burden to the team, for reasons that could include that you may require additional work, which may tie up resources needed for the whole team.

Another option that might be available is to take swimming classes at your college. It might be less demanding that a team, but it could give you a medium to do some of the prep work to join the team. This could be even more useful if you can’t join the team right away due to weight and/or performance. If you prove yourself in class, it could open the door.

Those things aside, keep in mind that swimming is of limited use as a fat-losing tool. Don’t take this wrong, but look at seals, whales, porpoises, etc. All these mammals have a layer of fat which helps with both buoyancy and warmth. Skinny people get more exercise from swimming because they don’t float, and it takes more work for them to keep from sinking.

This is not to say that including swimming as part of a workout isn’t good, but you will get more fat-loss benefit from running or biking than from swimming, at least until you become skinny.

Don’t let this discourage you if you truly love swimming, or think that you might. An exercise that you love and will do is always better than an exercise that you hate and don’t do. Just make sure to encorporate biking, running or aerobics a few times a week, and make sure to eat healthy foods. Don’t stick yourself on some crazy or extremely limiting diet, either, as you will kill your metabolism.

It depends on the college. Some division III teams will take whoever shows up, and most will at least let you practice with the team, even if you aren’t fast enough to compete in the meets. Most colleges will have an internal competition to see who will make the team. It will be based mostly on your speed, but the coach may pick a slightly slower slower swimmer if he thinks he can coach that person into being better. If you’re fast, and way overweight, the coach might think this about you – that if he can get you into shape, you’d be really fast. Give it a try, but don’t be disappointed if you don’t make it – just train on your own and try again the next year.

Why wait? If you are comfortable and healthy enough to try out, do it! And if you don’t make it, you have next year. If you are serious about weight loss, get involved in a program that you aren’t having to take dietary supplements and starving yourself. I joined a free website called www.sparkpeople.com, and not only does it help attain my nutrition and fitness goals, members make up goals that anyone can join as a team. There are probably plenty of swimmers that you could come up with a good plan on there. Good luck!

first off, are you an experienced swimmer? because if i was 115 or 500 lbs and not an experienced swimmer i wouldn’t join the team

if you are experienced and are 100 lbs overweight – don’t let that stop you from doing what you enjoy to do. and if you don’t make the team, see if there is another team you can join

I would start out by finding a masters swimming group. They are all teens and older and practice in the pool doing laps, etc. with a coach telling them what to do next.

I did that when I was pregnant and it helped me build stamina. THEN try out for the swim team!

Swimming is a brilliant method of weight loss. If you want to join the swim team, I say go for it! They should give you a chance, sometimes they do this by giving a trial, or testing how long it takes you to do a certain amount of laps.

Go for it, if they say no this time, you can practice in your own time and try again in the future!

Best of luck!

Uhm, don’t join the swim team unless it’s for a cannonball event. Who ever makes the biggest splash wins! Seriously, a tubby who has no experience swimming? This has got to be a joke!

Really, if you just want to start swimming recreationally, you can just do that. Most campuses that have a pool, have hours where regular students can go there to swim and hours where the pool is open to the community. It might cost you a few dollars, but that sort of thing is suited towards someone of your hmm, stature.

As for weight loss, you need to be working on that all the time! Being fat is not only ugly because of the appearance and image fat gives you, but grossly unhealthy.

I’m not sure that a competitve swim team is appropriate regardless of your weight if you’re not experienced.

If the school has an intramural team, that would be ideal.

I say go for it if you really want to, but be prepared to face a lot of criticism, maybe even rejection. That probably sounds a little mean, but I am overweight myself, and I know from experience what I am talking about. However, I also know that those people worth calling your friends would never laugh at you for doing something you love, unless you become a comedian, of course. Well, good luck with your ventures – peace, and good health!

take in the greenery sit in lotus position and breathe deeply for an hour and 42 minutes