Motivation on the way out? Here’s how to propel yourself to victory.
It’s human to flag in energy sometimes, but swimming brings countless benefits, especially as you get stronger in the water. So, what are some ways to motivate yourself to swim harder and faster? Setting goals will inspire you. Maybe you want to build fitness for a triathlon or lose a certain amount of weight. Choose a particular end result and imagine yourself swimming towards it. You’ll need to plan properly too, come up with a training plan and record how your times and techniques improve.
Set realistic goals
To get yourself fired up and ready to go, decide what your ultimate aim is. Taking part in a triathlon and want to nail the swimming? Wanting to feel fitter and healthier? If you have an end goal in sight, you’ll more likely stick to your programme, no matter what life throws at you.
Embrace the three P's
After that, it’s the three Ps: planning, prioritisation and progress.
1. Plan your training
Sometimes it’s only by committing to something in advance that you can get yourself organised and speeding out of the door. Plan your week ahead to make sure you know when you’ll be hitting the pool and what you’ll be doing there.
Choose a training plan to fit your ability level, getting expert tips and recommendations to propel you through the water.
2. Pre and post swim snacks
Whether you’re comparing stats with others or going solo, the aim is to make swimming something you can look forward to week after week. This might mean knowing what you’re eating too. When it comes to supermarket shops, factor in the snacks and foods you’ll need to keep yourself energised and refuelled. Go for the complex carbs – the wholemeal pasta, lentils and green veg – before a swim. Then afterwards mix the carbs with protein, such as sugar-free peanut butter on toast or sweet potato with lean chicken.
3. Prioritise your swims
Now you have a training plan, it’s time to prioritise these trips to the pool. Book swimming sessions into your calendar and, as you would an important meeting, stick to them. If you do miss a session, try to reschedule. Although you’ll probably need some flexibility, it’s important not to let things slide over time.
Once at the pool take pleasure in knowing you’re getting closer to reaching your goal. Every reach of arm or leg kick is an effort in the right direction, even if you only swim for 15 minutes. You’ll enjoy more immediate benefits as well. Swimming helps to refresh your mind and leave you feeling upbeat, so you’re likely to be more productive for the rest of your day.
See how you progress
Tracking your progress can be a massive boost to your motivation. Record the distance you swim at each session (plus any rest periods you take) either manually or by using a fitness device. Then see how your stats change over the weeks and what you can achieve if you push on.
Reward yourself
Most importantly reward yourself for your achievements. No matter the size of your achievement, whether it be swimming your first 5km or entering a triathlon, all achievements deserve a spoil. For all swimming gear related spoils browse our website.