If you want to use swimming to lose weight, you also have to be very careful of your diet. Being in water slightly lowers your body temperature, which unconsciously makes people feel more hungry. Most swimmers have to do other exercise for weight loss.

Keep going ! It feels so good to see 10 turn into 20 then 30

All workouts start slow. Be proud OP! You accomplished more than anyone who didn't leave the couch. Nothing wrong with going at your own pace, just remember to keep at it and don't give up. You got this!

Before my disability (severe nerve damage in pelvis) I started out only managing 10 lengths and built up to 15 lengths, 20 lengths, 25 lengths and then 30, and I kept to a regular 30 lengths 2-3 times a week. There is no shame in only doing 10 lengths, if that's what you can comfortably manage then that's what you can manage, and you can always build yourself up, but there's no shame in "only" managing 10 lengths, at least you're trying to stay healthy and trying to stay in shape, so congratulations on that and I wish you the best!

Leeds aye? All Leeds aren't we!

I think 10 lengths is pretty good! I did something similar the other week and almost fell over from feeling woozy when I got out of the pool

Hey, as someone who used to be overweight, who cares what you can do now? You're out there bettering yourself and, as you get into better and better shape, you'll be able to swim for longer and longer. EVERYONE, man and animal, that is out of shape, starts out slow. You don't take an overweight, out of shape dog out on a 5 mile hike his first day out. You start with a brisk walk around the block and go from there. You don't take an out of shape horse and hop on him and go jump a cross country course or on an all day trail ride. You start close to home and build his endurance and muscle up. Just like that, you start out with 10 lengths in the pool and build up from there over time. Plus, swimming has the benefit of being easy on your joints. You're one step ahead of everyone out there who hates their extra weight, but isn't doing anything about it.

10?! I get tired after half of one! Good on you for exercising.

Swimming is hard! I run, so in the winter when the roads get to bad and I can't run, I swim. I try too, but it's damn hard! And I use a kickboard so I'm not even using my whole body.

So you feel bad for spending "only 15 minutes" in the pool? That is about 15 minutes more than a lot of other people exercise for..... Start small with exercise routines and build up as you go along, and never feel obliged to do more than you are comfortable with. Full respect to you for what you have already achieved, and kudos to the lifeguard for making sure you were OK instead if posing and eyeing up other people :)