The Start

Red toe buds, painted because I'm acquiring some sense of feminine identity.
Wouldn't have done it as a habit earlier, but now I do and take pleasure in it.

A co-worker recently asked me how I had gone about 

losing nearly seventy pounds since last April. 

After I'd told him a bit of my story he said he found it 

inspiring and felt that I should write about my journey 

and the places it has been taking me. 

I decided I should start another blog because it would give me 

a place to keep notes about my observations and experiences.

It's not going to be about weight loss and recipes as much 

as it will be about swimming and the journey 

I make towards achieving my goals:

to have a sleek, healthy body and to be able to swim 

one-half mile in less than thirty minutes.

This picture, taken in September of 2007,
shows me weighing in at 275 pounds, which is about the same
weight I was when I began this odyssey in March 2013.
I didn't have any other photos of myself where I wasn't hiding
behind other people in a group, last row on the end.

At this time last year, I would have not been able to make it to the end 

of a 25-meter pool without difficulty. I looked very much as

I did in the above picture when I approached an Indianapolis Aquatic

Masters coach about joining his group at the IUPUI Natatorium.

I'd seen swimmers wearing black caps, swimming back and forth a few

lanes from me, whose relaxed swimming resembled sleek, black 

seals. When I asked Craig how I could learn to swim like that

he said, "Show up." No, I meant do I have to meet a certain time

standard or be able to swim certain strokes (i.e., the butterfly)?

"No," he said, "we'll help you with that."

And repeated, "Show up."

A few weeks later, I began doing just that, starting with two times 

a week, then three, quickly progressing to four sessions 

a week. I am now looking to add a fifth day.

I wouldn't have thought it at first, because I had a difficult time

just getting the skill and confidence to swim one length

of the Natatorium's 50-meter pool. I frustrated Craig, who

came to me with techniques and tricks designed

to help me with my stroke. Craig was very happy as I began

to show progress; he is an outgoing, exuberant man who

loves teaching and it showed with every little bit

of success I've shown him. 

This photo was taken by IAM Founder and Assistant Coach,
Mel Goldstein at the first day of the IAM 100 X 100 Swims. I am not
in this photo as I gave out after about two hours.

Overall, as the pounds have fallen away, I've seen my body 

change, becoming firm and strong. My step and 

posture have changed as I become increasingly confident.

Joining IAM has been one of the best things 

I've done for myself. Ever. 

I've never known such a group of positive, supportive 

people. I've gone from having little panic attacks 

each time I approached the pool, to being able 

to swim about two hours. I've gone from wondering 

whether I might ever be able to accomplish any goals, 

to looking forward to new challenges, trying to 

perform whatever new tests the coaches 

ask me to learn, as well as those I set for myself.

Swim a half mile in under thirty minutes, 
as well as be able to complete two-and-a-half miles?

Let's see what the year brings as I work 

to achieve that goal.