I often get asked what I do for a fitness routine to help me be swim as a mermaid! Before I get into it I want to give you these two disclaimers: 1. I am not a fitness professional and I don't replace one. Always consult a professional. 2. My experience may be very different than yours. I cope with mobility issues and chronic pain. Now that that's out of the way, let's get into it shall we?
I wasn't really fit as a kid or a teenager. I was sick a lot, really gangly (weighed no more than 100lbs which was underweight for my height). I had no tone, and a crazy metabolism that let me eat whatever I wanted. I never realized I had a fitness problem until I was diagnosed with several health conditions, and had my body accessed.
When my body was accessed, it was found I had a serious weakness on the left side of my body. Most people have a weakness but mine was severe. I had fine motor control problems that were troubling, and a very limited range of motion. I also had a lot of leg pain, dizziness, and chest/throat pain whenever I tried to do cardio. My balance was absolutely terrible. I also had scoliosis which was cause some muscle and skeletal strain on my body.
My fitness journey started out slow. My merwrangler Sean had been going to the gym since he was a teenager, so I decided to start going with him. I got myself a personal trainer and put her in contact with my doctors. I was seeing a physical therapist, getting massage, and doing training every second day. It wasn't easy at first. I'd never been to a gym, I was very uncoordinated, and thanks to medication I really didn't see any results. But my doctor assured me it was helping.
Fast forward 7 years (I'm serious!) and things have changed for the better. I'm much stronger, coordinated, balanced, and toned. I lost 15lbs too. Medication had a lot to do with some of my symptoms and once I got healthy I really started noticing changes at the gym. Addressing my health conditions helped too.
When my body was accessed, it was found I had a serious weakness on the left side of my body. Most people have a weakness but mine was severe. I had fine motor control problems that were troubling, and a very limited range of motion. I also had a lot of leg pain, dizziness, and chest/throat pain whenever I tried to do cardio. My balance was absolutely terrible. I also had scoliosis which was cause some muscle and skeletal strain on my body.
My fitness journey started out slow. My merwrangler Sean had been going to the gym since he was a teenager, so I decided to start going with him. I got myself a personal trainer and put her in contact with my doctors. I was seeing a physical therapist, getting massage, and doing training every second day. It wasn't easy at first. I'd never been to a gym, I was very uncoordinated, and thanks to medication I really didn't see any results. But my doctor assured me it was helping.
Fast forward 7 years (I'm serious!) and things have changed for the better. I'm much stronger, coordinated, balanced, and toned. I lost 15lbs too. Medication had a lot to do with some of my symptoms and once I got healthy I really started noticing changes at the gym. Addressing my health conditions helped too.
  | So what do I do every day to stay in shape? I try to go to the gym every 2-3 days. I try to go for at least an hour but sometimes with my pain I only last 45 minutes. I work different muscle groups but I tend to do certain patterns. Cardio is really important to swimming. It builds up your stamina which in turn helps your breath hold! I start with cardio. I do 30 minutes or burn 500 calories. Whichever I get to first. It loosens up my joints, gets my blood flowing, and gives me a good kick of energy to use the other machines. I currently do most of my cardio on this type of machine on the left. It's one of the more expensive cardio machines but it puts less stress on your joints and burns more calories. It's like an elliptical but as more of a range of motion and your legs move more like you're taking a long stride run. I really like it. It's called an adaptive motion trainer, or you may find variations of it. |
  | After my cardio, I move on to the machines. Now, mermaiding can be very hard on your hips and if you're female, your pelvic floor. The undulating motion moves things around, and it's easier than you'd think to displace your hip or pull a muscle in that general area. So I use these machines to work my hips, and they also help your pelvic floor. I start with the hip abduction machines. Mermaids may find themselves gaining a lot of hip pain after sitting still in a tail so long. Also, our legs aren't meant to be that pressed together. Even when you're swimming it is very hard on your hips. You may find your hips, lower back, and even inner thighs sore after a long gig or swimming session. These machines help with that.You cant push yourself too hard. Or you will pull some muscles. I usually do two sets of 15. You don't want to strain to the point your legs are shaking. Keep it simple. Do both machines so you work the inside and outside of your hips. |
 | I also do crunches but sometimes working the ab machines is good too. You use your abs a LOT when mermaid swimming and when posing. You want them to be strong! I find the follow machines the machines on the left the most effective. You don't always need a machine. For me with my illnesses, doing the usual situps or crunches really hurts my pelvic floor. so I have to find other ways of strengthening my abs. I do yoga to help with this which we'll get into in a moment. There are different variations of the ab machines. Try one to see which feels best for you. |
 | I also do free weights. You don't necessarily need a lot of arm strength to be a mermaid because when swimming properly your arms don't do much of the work! But I like to keep mine toned, and also many of the machines work your pecks and back at the same time. In addition to free weights, I use these machines on the left. I also use a few others I couldn't find photos for. But there is one that is an assisted chin up and dip machine. It has really helped me tone that flab under my armpits and made it stronger for when I am swimming. |
This past year I decided to give yoga a try again. Yoga can be scary if you're a person who deals with chronic stiffness and pain. I had a bad experience previously in a class where I felt like it was all a contest and I was losing. So when I approached the good people at Fall River Yoga, I wasn't expecting them to be an inviting and understanding as they were. I have to admit, yoga has changed my life for the better. I am in a very amazing class that I try to attend once a week. Sometimes I go twice a week. I am starting to get involved in their workshops too (Sean and I will be doing couples yoga this week). Even with that small amount of time I have noticed a lot less pain and stiffness in my body, a better range of motion, toning, better sleep on days I do it, improved metabolism, and strength. I'm not super flexible, we make adjustments and add supports when needed. I come in and out of postures. I find it very rewarding and it makes a lot of those mermaid poses we strike a lot easier, and has helped my back a lot.
I have a few favourite poses that I feel help mermaids specifically: table, cat, and dog pose are great for your tail bone, spine, and pelvic area. Also good for stretching that neck which you'd be surprised how often you "lead with your chin" during mermaid swimming. The cobra pose is a very similar pose to what we do when we're posing with our flukes in the air. It can be tricky, I do a modified version of it. But it helps. The camel pose also helps with my lower back but I tend to do a modified version of it too. I also feel that because we keep our legs so tightly together during mermaid swimming that it's important to open them up. Variations on the goddess and warrior poses have really helped that for me.
Part of my yoga class includes meditation. Meditation is a great stress reliever so I believe it's good for everyone. But for mermaids who want to work on their breath hold, meditation can provide a focal point. I've actually created a guided meditation a few months ago. You can listen it to below. Consider it an introduction to guided meditation if you've never tried it before. You can find a guided meditation for pain, for better sleep, for anxiety...for just about anything!
I have a few favourite poses that I feel help mermaids specifically: table, cat, and dog pose are great for your tail bone, spine, and pelvic area. Also good for stretching that neck which you'd be surprised how often you "lead with your chin" during mermaid swimming. The cobra pose is a very similar pose to what we do when we're posing with our flukes in the air. It can be tricky, I do a modified version of it. But it helps. The camel pose also helps with my lower back but I tend to do a modified version of it too. I also feel that because we keep our legs so tightly together during mermaid swimming that it's important to open them up. Variations on the goddess and warrior poses have really helped that for me.
Part of my yoga class includes meditation. Meditation is a great stress reliever so I believe it's good for everyone. But for mermaids who want to work on their breath hold, meditation can provide a focal point. I've actually created a guided meditation a few months ago. You can listen it to below. Consider it an introduction to guided meditation if you've never tried it before. You can find a guided meditation for pain, for better sleep, for anxiety...for just about anything!
What you eat plays a big role in a healthy mermaid. You are an athlete when you are swimming in that tail. You may not be running around on a sports team but you burn a lot of calories and put yourself at risk for certain injuries and illnesses if you aren't taking care of yourself.
Firstly, it's important to be hydrated before swimming. This can be tricky because no one wants to have to pee while in a tail- what a hassle. You will have to experiment with your body to figure out the appropriate times to drink before you swim. I usually make sure I drink a lot the night before a gig. I have 250ml of liquid in the morning before a gig. If I can manage it I make it a mineral water because the minerals will prevent muscle cramps. Then I always make sure I have a lot to drink after the swim. You don't feel your sweat in a pool but you ARE losing moisture that NEEDS to be replenished.
If you're swimming in colder areas it's important to make sure you're getting healthy fats and proteins before swimming. It can literally be the difference between you having energy and staying warm, and you freezing, shivering, and finding it hard to complete your booking. I learned a hard lesson with not eating enough before an ocean gig and my body just couldn't power itself or keep itself warm. A few adjustments in what I ate before hand made a huge difference. It's important to know what healthy eating means to your specific body. I have a lot of food restrictions due to illness and that's hard for me. Balancing what I eat so that I eat enough, but also have enough time before a gig so that I don't hurt my tummy... is hard. But you gotta make it work. If you're struggling with figuring out what you should be eating... you can get info from your doctor.
Firstly, it's important to be hydrated before swimming. This can be tricky because no one wants to have to pee while in a tail- what a hassle. You will have to experiment with your body to figure out the appropriate times to drink before you swim. I usually make sure I drink a lot the night before a gig. I have 250ml of liquid in the morning before a gig. If I can manage it I make it a mineral water because the minerals will prevent muscle cramps. Then I always make sure I have a lot to drink after the swim. You don't feel your sweat in a pool but you ARE losing moisture that NEEDS to be replenished.
If you're swimming in colder areas it's important to make sure you're getting healthy fats and proteins before swimming. It can literally be the difference between you having energy and staying warm, and you freezing, shivering, and finding it hard to complete your booking. I learned a hard lesson with not eating enough before an ocean gig and my body just couldn't power itself or keep itself warm. A few adjustments in what I ate before hand made a huge difference. It's important to know what healthy eating means to your specific body. I have a lot of food restrictions due to illness and that's hard for me. Balancing what I eat so that I eat enough, but also have enough time before a gig so that I don't hurt my tummy... is hard. But you gotta make it work. If you're struggling with figuring out what you should be eating... you can get info from your doctor.
Vitamins and minerals are great for fighting off the awful enemy of performing mermaids: foot cramps. Kale is also awesome to eat not only because it helps with that but because it helps your body process chlorine which can make you feel sick. Chlorine isn't good for you, and really isn't good for you long term. It's important to take steps to rid it from your body. Drink a lot of water after gigs, and try taking a kelp tablet before and after. Kelp will help flush chlorine from your body. Chlorine gives many people allergy symptoms. Kelp and Kale and other sea veggies are great for dealing with it.
Finally, I want to talk about the issue of weight. It's hard being a mermaid with our bodies on display. People can be so nit picky about other people's bodies and it puts us under a lot of scrutiny. it's important to be healthy about yourself. Eat healthy, workout, but don't over do it. Look, you've just seen everything I do. Plus I am swimming anywhere from 2-6 hours a week depending on my gigs. Sometimes even more! I am still not this skinny mermaid with rock hard abs. Despite my healthy life style. I probably never will be. I try to be okay with that.
But most mermaids find it hard with the "muffin top" we all tend to get while sitting in tails that are super tight on the waist so they don't slip off. Rarely flattering unless we stretch out/arch our backs. I've been taking meds for endometriosis that make me retain water and at times I get very bloated. I found it hard doing gigs while looking so bloated. I didn't feel like me. I found this chinese tea called "Tiny Tea" from the "Your Tea" line of teas. They make a tea specifically for endmetriosis but before I tried it they suggested trying their tea tox- tiny tea. It would help resent the flora in my stomach, clear my skin, and stop bloating. I was game to try anything. Here were my results:
Finally, I want to talk about the issue of weight. It's hard being a mermaid with our bodies on display. People can be so nit picky about other people's bodies and it puts us under a lot of scrutiny. it's important to be healthy about yourself. Eat healthy, workout, but don't over do it. Look, you've just seen everything I do. Plus I am swimming anywhere from 2-6 hours a week depending on my gigs. Sometimes even more! I am still not this skinny mermaid with rock hard abs. Despite my healthy life style. I probably never will be. I try to be okay with that.
But most mermaids find it hard with the "muffin top" we all tend to get while sitting in tails that are super tight on the waist so they don't slip off. Rarely flattering unless we stretch out/arch our backs. I've been taking meds for endometriosis that make me retain water and at times I get very bloated. I found it hard doing gigs while looking so bloated. I didn't feel like me. I found this chinese tea called "Tiny Tea" from the "Your Tea" line of teas. They make a tea specifically for endmetriosis but before I tried it they suggested trying their tea tox- tiny tea. It would help resent the flora in my stomach, clear my skin, and stop bloating. I was game to try anything. Here were my results:
The top two photos are what I looked like before I drank the tea. The bottom two are after drinking 2 a day for almost 3 weeks. The box actually suggests 3 a day but the tea is a black tea which is caffeinated and I couldn't handle 3. It gave me loads of energy and these are my results without changing my diet or routine. I lose 7lbs of water weight. I fit in my favourite clothes again. I loved it. I don't expect this tea will work for everyone. But for me because I had a lot of issues with my stomach on the inside, and a lot of water retention it was a perfect fit. Though in the photos on the bottom you can see my extra weird tan lines from wearing a mermaid tail and a seaweed top haha. Probiotics are also awesome at helping your tummy through bad bloats and IBS. Probiotics also help prevent yeast infections in women: which is something we can develop after swimming a lot in pools.
The fact is: everyone is so different, but most people can benefit from a little tweak in their diet, and adding more exercise. You have to listen to your body. But as a mermaid, you really are an athlete. Athletes don't just hit the field and play the game and that's it. It takes time, love, and care to help your body do it's best and prevent injury or illness. Being a professional mermaid is no different.
For more helpful facts, please click "How to be a Mermaid" on the left hand side. You'll find my vlogs that talk about similar issues, along with my two published books, and workshops.
Bye for now
The fact is: everyone is so different, but most people can benefit from a little tweak in their diet, and adding more exercise. You have to listen to your body. But as a mermaid, you really are an athlete. Athletes don't just hit the field and play the game and that's it. It takes time, love, and care to help your body do it's best and prevent injury or illness. Being a professional mermaid is no different.
For more helpful facts, please click "How to be a Mermaid" on the left hand side. You'll find my vlogs that talk about similar issues, along with my two published books, and workshops.
Bye for now
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