Last summer, I decided that lake swimming was something I wanted to try, to give me some time and space. I wasn't a strong swimmer back then and the thought of being in a lake with fish and seaweed and lots of other really good swimmers was intimidating.

This iy my journey - you can apply it to anything new you want to start - obviously, it would be a great way to start Pilatres so that you feel awesome in your body.

1. I just got started…

Lake 32 near Cirencester run introductory lake swimming sessions -  it's just an hour, one-to-one, where a very wonderful teacher gets you in the water and just encourages you to swim.

I did it.

I felt great but I knew that I wasn't that comfortable with my swimming.  Still she said to come back and we'll try front crawl next time.

I wasn't so convinced.

I had a super time though and knew it was a place that I wanted to be.

2. I just kept on trying.

I took myself back to the lake to see if I could do this by myself. I managed 400 meters with my face in the cold water which for me was a long way and quite the achievement.

But I wanted to be better and I could only do it in breaststroke.

3. I spent the time learning.

So I enrolled in adult swimming lessons at the local pool.   The most wonderful and generous teacher has taken me from being able to barely swim a length without feeling like I was going to die, to me happily popping to the pool and bashing out a kilometre, no sweat.  

I feel strong. I feel able. I don't feel out of my depth. And I can breathe….

4. I was committed, consistent and persistent.

This all this sounds super quick and easy though right?  

This has taken commitment - three times a week visiting the pool to practice, even when I am tired and can’t be bothered.  

I've ridden the ups and downs of learning something new -  where one time I thought I was conquering being able to swim and breathe and then the next only being able to swim half a length length and feeling like I would suffocate.  

It took persistence and exploration which as an adult is a really quite a humbling experience. 

5. It all paid off.

Then one day, it all just clicked into place.  I went from swimming one length to 30 in one session.  That day I decided to chill out, relax in the water, breathe slowly and let my mind wander. 

And now that’s exactly how I now use swimming; a release from the active and hectic life that I lead.  I find it meditiave and when my body aches from too much other exercise, swimming revives me.

6. My reward.

It was a long road to where I am now.  But I built a habit, I stuck to it and knew my reward was lake swimming. 

I’ve only managed sea swims so far this year which was a bit of a shock to the system with the cold water.  But with some perseverance as I’ve done before, I know me and my body will get there.  

The water really is an amazing place to be.