I Prefer to Exercise Wet

Summary

The author describes a lifelong journey of staying active through various forms of exercise, with a particular preference for water aerobics in recent years due to its joint-friendly nature and social aspects.

Abstract

The author recounts a personal history of incorporating exercise into daily life from childhood through adulthood, emphasizing the importance of walking, swimming, and dancing. As life circumstances changed, so did the author's exercise routines, adapting to parenthood, work, and relocation. A pivotal moment came with the discovery of water aerobics, which combined the benefits of physical activity in water with the enjoyment of a supportive community. Despite challenges like inclement weather and the COVID-19 pandemic, the author maintained an active lifestyle, ultimately finding a new local pool to continue water aerobics, highlighting the significance of enjoyable exercise and social interaction in maintaining health and well-being.

Opinions

The author values both the physical and social benefits of group exercise, particularly water aerobics.
Exercise should be enjoyable and adaptable to different life stages and circumstances.
Regular physical activity contributes to overall health and can be integrated into daily routines.
The companionship found in group exercise classes enhances the motivation to stay active.
The author expresses a strong affinity for water-based exercise, appreciating its low-impact nature and the relaxation provided by warm whirlpools post-workout.
The author believes that finding an exercise program one enjoys is crucial for long-term adherence and that having exercise companions increases commitment and enjoyment.

Dancing Elephant Book Project Health and Wellness Group 1

I never gave a thought to an “exercise program” when I was growing up; my mother and her family were walkers. A walk was part of every day. My mother’s family lived in the country, we lived in the city, but a daily walk was a given. We usually had a dog that needed walking, but we walked even if we didn’t.

I walked to school a mile each way (and yes, it snowed, but it wasn’t always uphill) all through grades 7–12. On the weekends, we walked on Saturdays. On Sundays, we went to Family Swim at the YMCA, where my father was the Youth Director. That was especially nice in the winter, when walking in upstate New York can be somewhat challenging, what with the cold temperatures and heavy snowfall. Icy sidewalks didn’t make the walk any more pleasurable, either, and sometimes it was downright dangerous.

In college, I always had a fairly long walk to my classes, and I spent the weekends dancing.

Once I’d graduated and started working, getting exercise was a bit more challenging. In good weather, a walk after dinner was quite normal. In bad weather, it was less appealing and less likely to happen.

When I had small children, the daily walk again became normal. Children need fresh air and sunshine, just as we all do, and it was my job to make sure we got out every day for at least a short walk, no matter the weather. I met my best friend in the dead of winter when she and I and our children were the only people outside. She lived across the street, and we started talking loudly, and ended up being good friends for over 30 years, until her death in 2010.

When I was in my 40’s and the kids were out on their own, I again started walking after dinner, but I had papers to grade, and an hour to walk was harder to find.

One winter, I decided I really missed being in the pool, so I signed up for a water aerobics class. I fell in love, not just with the water (although in the winter that was wonderful) but with the companionship of the group. We exercised pretty hard for a full hour, but the time flew by as we laughed and comforted each other, depending on the circumstances. We also talked a lot about food. I got some great recipes from that class.

After 20 years with that class, I moved 12 hours away. The nearest “Y” was a twelve mile drive one way. I heard there was another pool closer, but I hadn’t checked into it before COVID shut everything down. I was reduced to walking the perimeter of my big back yard, not feeling comfortable walking the streets with no sidewalks.

Finally, just a couple of weeks ago, I Googled “water aerobics in my area” and found the closer pool. It is about one-quarter the size of an Olympic pool, but it has room enough for about 20 of us in the class. We exercise twice a week for an hour. Exercising in the water is much better for everyone but especially those of us who are “long in the tooth,” as the phrase used to be for us older folks. The resistance of the water makes the movements harder, but the buoyancy makes some exercises possible that cannot be done on land. It is also great on joints and works on balance.

Best of all, there is a whirlpool right next to the little pool, and when class is over, many of us go and soak in the hot, jetted water. It helps relax those muscles we’ve just worked on and prevents a lot of the soreness we’d feel the next day without it.

I love water. I love pools, creeks, ponds, lakes, and the ocean. If I can combine exercise (but not boring laps) with water, I am one happy camper. If I can have a group to exercise with, it’s even better. We laugh and talk while we are working out, and it takes the boredom out of it. If I had to force myself to go twice a week, I wouldn’t do it, but knowing there are people there who are expecting me, that I’m part of a group, that keeps me going.

The secret to any good exercise program is to find something you enjoy doing and someone to do it with. And for someone my age, in order to keep moving, I have to keep moving. 😉

Shout out to David Perlmutter for all the encouragement he gives so many of us.

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