UNDER THE SEA – Water Aerobics

 

DAY ONE

Like in junior high PE, I get dressed in a shower stall rather than out in the open. I stash my gym bag in a locker. (Saying gym bag rather than tote bag makes me more athletic.)

The instructor cranks up the music and we begin a series of exercises that keeps us moving and laughing for one full hour. Laughing during exercise is a new experience. And there is a notable sense of encouragement and lack of competition when these women exercise.

DAY TWO

Got ready early and did some chores while repeating the mantra “20 minutes until 9” so I would leave on time. As I chanted, my brain converted it to the shorter version – “9:40 am. “

Some of you may have caught my error much quicker than I did. When I prepared to leave at 9:40 my class was almost over. (Stupid mantra.) Then, I decided to go anyway to exercise alone. Then I got caught by a train. Then I realized I had forgotten my phone. Then I gave up and went home.

DAY THREE

Tried to use the app to sign in for water aerobics but the class was cancelled due to low attendance. It seems that if we didn’t register using the app, our attendance was not counted. My classmates were those people not comfortable with the app.

Let the protest begin.

Our teacher took our names and contact information to use in an appeal. Then we headed to the pool and exercised together in solidarity against “the man.”

DAY FOUR

I was on time. But I was the only one on time. Our rebellion was short-lived. A few late arrivals eventually joined me in a pool that now also contained other swimmers. No more private class.

DAY FIVE

A nice group of four discussed illnesses and disabilities as I pumped iron. Can you do that in water?  I smugly visualized how surprised they would be to find I am actually much younger than my appearance in a bathing suit would indicate.

Then they discussed how to get on disability before you are old enough for social security. They weren’t old enough for social security? First, I was deflated (unlike the water weights I was battling at the time). Then I took solace in knowing that they were trying to manage disabilities and I still had my original knees and hips. I patted myself on the back. (That is one of our exercises.)

DAY SIX

Most of my classmates spend the better part of the hour in the hot tub talking about Hester House, a senior citizen’s center than offers free water aerobics.

DAY SEVEN

We exercised independently but companionably. After an hour, I dripped my way through the cold locker room only to discover that my towel and clothes were securely held behind a lock that wouldn’t open. One classmate (sans clothing) boldly offered to help but was no more successful than I was. A younger person (probably there for something more strenuous than water aerobics) went out to the front desk, borrowed a bolt cutter, and cut off the lock.

 

I leave every session with a sense of fitness, an experience or two that makes me laugh, and the summertime smell of chlorine.  I think I like water aerobics.

Time to pack my gym bag.