Treading water: How I’m putting a new spin on an old hobby

[Joachim]

Motivation comes at the strangest times.

For the past few weeks, something has been bugging me. At first, I thought I was just feeling down due to the cold weather and early nightfall. But the more I tried to ignore what I was feeling, the more “blah” I felt.

I paused to wonder what was missing from my life. I immediately started thinking about how pulmonary sarcoidosis and the numerous spontaneous pneumothoraces I’ve endured have changed my life. I felt like I was about to lose all of the physical progress I’d made over the years. I figured I’d better get out of this mental trap before I become paralyzed with guilt and self-pity. Sometimes this mental circus is a never-ending sideshow.

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An ‘aha’ moment

A few mornings ago, while I was having my tea, it hit me: I definitely needed a change. A different environment or routine would be a welcome distraction from my doldrums.

It dawned on me that I hadn’t swum in over five years. Before my first lung collapse, I used to swim three or four times a week — so often that I’d ordered a waterproof MP3 player. There’s nothing better than listening to Miles Davis or old-school rap while swimming underwater.

But all of that ended five years ago. Because of my multiple lung collapses, I had to give up the water. Or so I thought.

An uncle of mine suggested I check out the facility he went to for water rehabilitation. I reached out to them and scheduled an appointment. We set a date, and the staff told me my initial consultation would be an assessment of my strength and physical abilities. I felt I’d made the right decision in reaching out to them. Finally, I thought, I was going to get back in the water.

On the day of my appointment, I arrived early and was excited to meet the staff. I toured the facility and did the required assessments. Once we finished, I mentioned that sometimes I require supplemental oxygen when doing physical exercises. I could tell I’d be the first client with that requirement, but they understood and it didn’t seem to complicate their program.

While completing some paperwork, I was asked why I’d chosen this facility. I explained that my uncle had participated in their water rehab program and loved it. I also said that, in my experience, the fastest way to get a body in shape is to swim. Swimming works your entire body. That said, I told them I wasn’t interested in swimming laps or swimming underwater. My overall goal is simply to tread water.

If I can tread water, I can work my entire body. I can build up my lung function, my cardiovascular system, and my stamina, all of which add a feather to my cap of independence. Sometimes in life, you have to tread water before you can dive in.

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