This year the pool reopened. The best part of this state of the art facility is they offer water aerobics. Of course I signed up. My schema for water aerobics instructors involve old men with beards and receding hairlines. In January my schema changed drastically.
The water aerobics instructor is from our local college. He's not old, instead he'll be graduating this May. No beard. A full head of floppy hair. An exercise science major. Yes, one of those.
After the first class and the next and the next and every class for nearly a month I could barely walk the next day.
We do sets of jumps. Tuck JUMPS. Two-footed reach JUMPS. High knee JUMP. Skip JUMPS. Lunge JUMPS. Butt kick JUMPS. Jumping. In a swimsuit. After the first class I bought a new suit. One made for athletes, even though I didn't really feel like one.
He made us do dips and swimmer push ups on the side of the pool. It was embarrassing. I attempted to haul my body out of the pool. I failed. I couldn't even do a half.
I've forgiven him for being young. And I've come to appreciate the exercise science major in him. He changes the workout, continues to push us, and even though I've been in the class for 12 weeks, I'm still sore the next day. I like knowing I've pushed my muscles.
The jumps don't make me want to curl up and die. My arms and legs are stronger and faster. And I'm up to 13 dips and 10 swimmer push-ups.
I still {heart} water aerobics.
Even more, though, I like how I'm feeling more like myself. Exercise has always been a part of my life, but when we adopted the girls I didn't have the energy. I couldn't lug myself into my gym shoes and add one more thing to the day. Last December, though, a switch flipped, and it became part of my daily routine again. The exercise science major has empowered me to get stronger faster.
I feel like it may be part of my healing process.
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I always wanted to try water aerobics because I thought it would be easier on my joints; I am not so sure of that now! I love your style of writing. It just oozes off the page. :)
ReplyDeleteI know you like water aerobics, and I'm glad. I tried it but it wasn't for me. I do not really like going underwater, somehow that always happens to me. I do not have good balance. Then when I get out that chlorine makes my skin itch and itch. I loved reading about you going as it makes me want to try again!
ReplyDeleteI've been getting back into running this spring break, but two days have gone by - you inspire me to get running!
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you have rediscovered something that you loved before. It sounds like it has been very beneficial emotionally and physically. I still haven't ever tried water aerobics. Maybe I will have to try this summer. My local pool seems to be more aligned with your original schema of water aerobics :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like fun! And I'm glad you are reclaiming parts of your old life (although I sure can't figure out how you make time for all that you do!)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds really great. I go to Curves & am really committed-keeps me going for sure. But wish I did have a pool near to try something like this. Glad you found something good Ruth.
ReplyDeleteJust so you know, I read the posts on either side of this one (day before/after), but this is the one I picked on purpose to comment on.
ReplyDeleteI am in awe...that you do this. That it can be done. And I also am thinking that hearing stuff like this might (maybe) get me in gear to start exercising again. It's been a long time, and I want to...but like you, it just feels like too much.
Maybe next week? :)
This is a post of strength and empowerment. I love that about it. I want to harness some of that feeling for myself, that's how genuinely good you make it sound.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love my water aerobics classes too! And as wonderful as all my instructors are, there are no exercise science majors from college. :)
ReplyDeleteWithout my water aerobics, I could never have recovered from my knee replacement last year.
Because of spring break, I haven't been to my Saturday classes in 3 weeks; can't wait to go back tomorrow!
How fabulous to know you will get a satisfying workout with the soreness to prove it!
ReplyDeleteI love your last line. I'm glad the healing is happening. You're smiling more.
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