Swimming or Running?

[kielbasa]

I need some advice. I wana lose some fat, and I have the choice of the following cardio work outs after school: Go running/jogging for ... 30-60minutes? or swimming?

I was meant to start running after school like over a month ago, like 3-4 times a week, and I end up doing it now once a week, and I cant say I enjoy it much, running long distance isnt for me. But now the summer is coming in and the local pool is opening up on Sunday. I figured if i do laps with a friend id burn fat, and workout my body while im at it (upper body, like shoulders/lats).

What do you people recomend is better for weight loss? I've got some fat on my chest, and on my lower belly, thin arms (working on the muscle), and normal legs I guess...(like they aint thin, but not fat).

I figure swimming will do me good coz legs are constantly moving and the upper body is working. I was on a holiday in Bali in April, and I ate HEAPS AND HEAPS of junk food, pizzas, meats, chips, burgers, EVERYTHING. I ate like a fu*kn pig, but since I was always in a swimming pool for a few hours a day I actually ended up losing 4kg over 10 days.

What do you people recomend? I've normally been told swimming is the best.

[CJNY]

Having been asked similar questions many times, my answer is invariably do the one you like the most. Even if you got a definitive answer on the fat loss question, it's only one aspect of the issue. Sticking with it on a regular basis is far more important than whether one exercise mode is superior.

[synthetic1]

i would definately say swimming, but the problem with swimming is that a lot of people swim for endurance, rather than for weight loss. if your going for weight loss the swimming has to be intense enough to keep your heart pumping and get you out of breath, yet not so intense that you have to stop with small amounts of yardage (unless its part of a work set) for example, i can go 5000 yards (200 laps) nonstop if i have to, and only be a little out of breath cuz im taking it slow and at a stretch. i really feel myself getting more in terms of fat loss when im doing sets of say, 10x200yd or 4x500yd at a pace where i go as quick as i can without fatigueing enough to stop.....

the only problem with swimming for weight loss, as you put forth, is that your appetite skyrockets from the workout.....i would eat a meal before a 2 hour practice then another one right after, and still burn fat.....