Water Aerobics.....

So being a swimmer most of my life, I began swimming lessons before I was a year old in a mommy and me class. I continued my progression through swim lessons, and as a nine year old began swim team. The next natural progression of course was to take the lifeguard training, and begin on the road to my lifetime of employment.

As a lifeguard, I guarded at many pools, mostly in the magic valley area where I grew up. I have had multiple opportunites, to guard for and teach swimming lessons, I guarded for open swim, lap swim, swim team, family swim, scuba diving, and swim meets, but I think perhaps the most entertaining event I have ever guarded for would most definitely have to be "water aerobics!"

All of my sisters and I have at one time or another been a lifeguard, and shared the coveted experience of the water aerobics lifeguard. And we have all shared in the pleasure of discussing amongst each other the stereotypical water aerobics attendee. Normally a 60+ age woman, sometimes man, usually but not always, rather plump, but always pleasant! You watch and listen as they turn on their "cardio tunes" to begin their workout.

Now, I'm not writing any of this to poke fun at the water aerobics class, quite the contrary. For Garry's birthday this year, I decided to get us a membership to the gym, we both would really like to lose some weight and get into shape, and we decided to take advantage of the New Year deals offered through the local gym. As I've tried to start moving and begin conditioning my self at least a little before I jumped right into a step aerobics class, I decided I would take it slow for a week or so, and then I want to step it up and really focus on becoming healthy. Garry and I both went to the gym on Monday after dinner, before Garry had to go to rehearsal, and we rode the bikes, for a while. Being as out of shape as I am, I thought I was going to die! However, I got up today determined to keep up with at least a schedule of going a minimum of 3 days a week.

As I glanced at the schedule to make sure there was child care for Carson, I saw the ever elusive water aerobics class was going to be offered shortly after my arrival at the gym today, so I said, 'why not, those old ladies don't look like they work to hard anyway.'

As I am getting ready for the class, I see all of the quintessential attendee's. They are all giving me the eye, because they know I am the one who really doesn't fit in here. I am the atypical person who might come a couple of times, but will not become a true class member.

AH, contraire! As I begin the workout, the instructor, Donna, introduces herself to me and let me know how the class will play out, walking, stretching, different exercises with the noodle, finishing up with the powerful cardio workout. I smiled to myself, told her I was very excited to take water aerobics, told her it was not only my first time to her class, but my first time ever, and she welcomed me.

The class progressed as planned, and all of the women, and 3 men might I add, worked at their own pace, but my perspective of "water aerobics" changed forever in that 1 hour time period. Granted I was trying to go a little faster and do a few more reps than what the other class members were doing, as to get the most out of my workout time. But as I finished the class, I found myself pretty tired! I have to give credit to all those little old ladies, whom I had previously only snickered to myself about, water aerobics can definitely give you a great work out! But I think the best part about it for me, was that it was fun. After being on swim team, most of those practices didn't end up being fun, not that they were meant to be, but my first class was really quite enjoyable, I hope everyone gets to experience the joys of "Water Aerobics"