My mum told me cold hands mean a warm heart, but you could say cold hands strong heart. So when you are wrapped up in a nice warm bed why get up and swim in winter?Well there are at least 5 reasons to get up and go for a brisk cold swim – It can make you healthier, happier and even skinnier.  Here goes the five reasons and a mystery 6th one at the end for us blokes…
1. It makes your lymph system slushy
Cold swims cause your lymph vessels to contract, forcing your lymphatic system to pump lymph fluids throughout your body, flushing the waste out of the area. One of the benefits of cold swims is that they trigger the immune system’s white blood cells, prompting them to attack and destroy any unwanted substance in the fluid.
2. It makes your blood flow better
Among the health benefits of cold swims is the stimulation of blood flow. When you immerse your body in cold water, the blood rushes to surround your vital organs. Your heart then is forced to pump more efficiently, pushing blood through all your vessels and supplying every part of your body with the oxygen and nutrients it needs.
3. It reduces swelling in your muscles (and the organs)
One of the top cold swim benefits is the fact that they lower the any damaged tissue’s temperature and constricts the blood vessels. This helps reduce any swelling and inflammation, and even numbs the nerve endings, bringing immediate relief to any pain.
4. You get a happy drug hit
Cold swims can help treat depression symptoms, and if used on a routine basis, may be more beneficial than prescription medications in lifting moods. Cold water triggers a flood of mood-boosting neurotransmitters, which make you feel happy.

5. You loose weight
Cold water can promote healthy brown fat, which is the good fat our bodies generate to keep us warm. Brown fat is activated when exposed to cold temperature, and helps eliminate white fat, which is the body fat that piles up around our waistlines and thighs when we consume too many calories.

Cold water is also good for men who want to make babies…but I’ll keep this blog G rated.

So when it gets really cold we can all get healthier, happier and skinnier… Here’s a few folks who got the benefit of the winter swim…although its not really cold yet…

Bring on the cold water…I need to lose a few kilos…

Peter Anthony

Stats:

Swimmer 163 (felt like 164)

Newbies 3 (felt like 3.1)

Temperature 21 (felt like 21.9865320)

Dinner:

The Next B&B monthly dinner for the year will be held on Tuesday 11th June at 6.30 pm at Bluewater Restaurant. Our guest on the night will be B&B Swimmer, Pam Greening, who has recently completed a climb to the Mt Everest Base Camp. Pam describes this adventure as the best experience of her life (apart from swimming with the B&B). Come along and hear about this exhilarating and life-changing experience. If this is on your bucket list, you will learn about the logistics, costs, accommodation and other details such as the best time to go, what clothes to take etc. Don’t miss it!

Please book early for this event as it is sure to be popular. The cost of the dinner is great value at only $25 a head, which includes shared entrees, and a selection of mains to choose from (including a vegetarian option). Glasses of beer or wine and desserts are also available at the special price of only $5 each. Numbers are limited, so bookings are essential. To avoid disappointment and secure your spot please book at www.boldandbeautifulmanly.com.au/bb-bluewater-monthly-dinner.html

Winter swimming

The B&B Winter swimming season starts on 1st June. Although the water temperature may be a little colder than you might like, there are several advantages of swimming in winter, including flat seas, good visibility and no bluebottles. Perhaps the biggest advantage is that you can also qualify for a winter badge by swimming a minimum of 20 times between 1st June and 31st August. You must also swim in at least 7 different weeks. If you manage to do all of your qualifying swims without a wetsuit (or other thermal enhancing equipment), you will also qualify for the coveted WWW badge (Winter without wetsuit). Start now, and don’t forget to log your swims to qualify.