What sport(s) do you play, why do you like it, and how did you first get in to it?

[swimmerchik]

Title says it all! ;)

I am a swimmer! I love swimming because I have always had a facination with water, I feel graceful in the water (on land I'm somewhat of a clutz), I'm no good at any other sport, and I JUST LOVE IT! I started swimming twice a week for health reasons (I have chronic lyme and swimming is a pain reliever for me and is not as physicaly stressful as say running) but I fell in love with it and now I swim every day year round for two different teams (depending which one is in season)

[WeaponZero]

I don't actually play any sport, but I just love fitness and working out in general.

Ever since I was about 15 or so years old, I've been overweight and out of shape. I wasn't active and I didn't eat healthy and I was very depressed. I eventually ballooned out to about 335 lbs.

The kick in the pants came when, at the age of 27, I did something I always wanted to do and bought myself a motorcycle. I discovered when taking the entry level riding course needed to get your license that my weight made the bike too top heavy to be able to master the low speed maneuvers performed during the license exam. So I began a quest to lose weight and get fit for the sake of becoming a better, and safer, motorcycle rider. Here I am now, a couple years later and I've lost 117 lbs of fat =) I had no idea getting fit and having energy and being strong would just plain make life so much more enjoyable, but it does!

For the record I used to swim a lot when I was younger as well. But after getting a very severe sunburn when I was 13 years old that left permanent scarring all over my back and shoulders, my doctor told me I would never be able to go out in the sun without a shirt on again. And I just never went back in the water afterwards.

[WeaponZero]

Hmm now that I think about it, the fact that I stopped swimming at about 13 years old probably has a lot to do with why I started puttong on weight at 14-15 =P lol

[WeaponZero]

I actually started learning swimming when I was 4-5 years old. My preschool offered lessons and my parents made me take it. My dad was dating a girl at the time who had a pool and he would also make us practice in their pool. I always had a thing for being in the water because I have very very very poor balance and coordination due to a neurological disorder that inhibits my motor control to a degree. But in the water balance and coordination don't matter one little bit. So I liked that.

[swimmerchik]

If you like it much than don't stay out of the water because of what's happened in the past- if you can't be in the sun than try an indoor pool. Swimming is the best form of exercise out there and in my opinion the most fun! :D

[WeaponZero]

I was thinking about that actually but the only place in the whole city that has an indoor pool requires a monthly membership and is in a completely different part of the city from where I live

[swimmerchik]

Thats too bad :(

[WeaponZero]

I live in Pittsburgh, PA and the only place that has a pool (aside from a few gyms farther outside of the city) is a place called Oliver Bath House. It's located in a very busy section of the city where you have to pay for parking on top of paying the monthly membership fee to use the pool. Plus it's only open in the winter and the fall. They close down in the spring and summer when the city opens up the public outdoor pools.

[WeaponZero]

It sounds like you can relate to the whole being uncoordinated in the land but normal in the water thing =P

[swimmerchik]

Yup my coach literally thinks its a miricle that I can even swim butterfly let alone have it be my best stroke. Then again I am kind of a miricle child for a lot of different reasons...

[WeaponZero]

You should tell us about that. A lot of people on here might be able to relate to your story. I know I was a special case myself.

[sovetskii13]

I play ice hockey.I got into it when I was in 9th grade, and it was because my dad played ice hockey when he was my age, and still does. Plus, I am from Russia, and I know that the Soviet was the best country in ice hockey from the 50s to the late 80s. So, that kind of motivated me a bit.

[swimmerchik]

Ice hockey is my second favorite sport! Every Saturday me and the guys have a big tournament at the town rink. Sooo much fun! :D

[Anonymous]

Hm... well I used to play netball practically all the time (I wish I still do) and I loved the fast pace, working as a team and shooting. It was just loads of fun and a great way to stay fit. I kickbox now and I love that too! I do it three times a week and I love how challenging it is but so much fun :)

[SixStringSeal]

I did karate when I little.

Then I transitioned into kickboxing..

Then into BJJ and submission wrestling.

Funny thing is... I don't to fight and I don't like violence or hurting people... lol

I guess one thing just sort of led to another and I enjoyed staying fit and being competitive. I was never much into team sports.