What is the "right amount" of swimming in order to tone my body?

Question

I am already very fit, pretty trimmed and muscular. I eat healthy and avoid fatty foods everyday, and I lift weights.

But I have some stomach fat I want to get rid of. Right now I am swimming 4-5 days a week for 30 minutes at a time, alternating spontaneously between freestyle and breaststroke. I would do butterfly as well, but I can't dolphin kick properly yet. My goal is to trim enough fat so that my six pack can show without flexing. How many times a week should I be swimming, for how long each time, doing what kind of strokes and how should I perform them, and does it matter if I pause after each length (half a lap) or 2 lengths (full lap) to catch my breath?

If you give a detailed and specific answer, I will give you Best Answer. Thanks!

Answer 1

if you  want a six pack do dolphin kick get fins keep trying!!!!!!!!

Answer 2

everyday forr an hour

answer mine under boyfriend questions

Answer 3

As a swimmer, I feel slightly qualified to answer this question. This heavily depends on your age and shape. From what you've stated, I am guessing relatively young and fit. My best advice would be to take a basic stroke clinic to learn your strokes and how to do a crude flip turn. Even though you are swimming 5 times a week, 30 minutes does not suffice. My advice to you, as you are not a competitive swimmer, would be to swim three times a week, alternating with a run day. Swimming is excellent for your core and burns calories extremely quickly, when performed correctly. Do not spontaneously switch strokes. Go in for a solid hour, never allowing yourself more than 3 minutes of break (except maybe a middle break). Do 5 sets of 100 meters each practice for time, only taking about 10-20 seconds break in between each. Work to complete these well, then move to 10 each practice. These will help you Gauge your progress. Also include a longer swim set, say 2x 400 meters for the body of the piece. DO NOT switch your strokes, that is just an excuse to reduce your heart rate. The most beneficial thing for you to do would be to limit your stop at each wall. This will help to keep your heart rate up and your calorie burning even higher. It does make a large difference. My main point is to remain at a solidly high rate for an extended time period, without long breaks. Consider it to be like circuit training, not like weight lifting.