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Like many of us, as we get past that magical retirement age, both hubby and I let our bodies go. In hubby's case it was because of health and he had so many limitations, for me, it was laziness. Anyway, we have now found an activity that we can do, and we feel a million $$s better. We are not doing water walking three mornings a week for an hour. it is fun, we have friends to visit with, in fact we were surprised at how many people from our church take part and our insurance covers the cost. Add to this, the pool is only 3 minutes from our house and is an indoor facility, so we can use it during the winter.
What do others of you do to keep physically active?
Where are you doing your water walking? Does the chlorine bother your skin? What do you wear?
We water walk at one of the recreation centers just a mile from our house. I shower (quick rinse) before and after I walk, or sometimes wait til I get home. I wear a bathing suit which of course I look really sexy in: plus I use the water shoes. Otherwise the bottom of my feet get scraped up. We don't spend the entire hour just walking back and forth, we are visiting a good part of the time, but we keep our legs and arms moving constantly. I feel sorry, sometimes for hubby, depending on the group, he is often the only guy in the water.
Weighted workouts may seem more appropriate for younger people, but actually the reverse is true. We will lose muscle mass with age, but we can slow down the loss substantially by doing weight work, either with hand-held dumbells or with machines. I prefer classes at my gym where an instructor leads us through the routines. There are three or four choices of weights so we can more or less work at our own level - or even bring out own weights. I am one of the few older people and one of the few men, but that doesn't bother me at all.
Of course we still need cardio work (aerobic exercise such as walking, jogging, or swimming) in addition. The water walking is great for that, especially for folks with bad knees because being in the water takes a lot of weight off the knees and feet. At the same time the water creates resistance to the movement thus giing the leg muscles a good workout.
We joined a college fitness center. It is huge think basketball court in the middle and the track around the outside. I thought we might be uncomfortable but they were very welcoming and they have classes for all levels. We get info on how to adapt weights for all needs and have counselors to go over all the activities and make a plan.
So far we have been to Low impact aerobics, yoga, Bodypump (weight work) and plan on several others.
Weighted workouts may seem more appropriate for younger people, but actually the reverse is true. We will lose muscle mass with age, but we can slow down the loss substantially by doing weight work, either with hand-held dumbells or with machines. I prefer classes at my gym where an instructor leads us through the routines. There are three or four choices of weights so we can more or less work at our own level - or even bring out own weights. I am one of the few older people and one of the few men, but that doesn't bother me at all.
Of course we still need cardio work (aerobic exercise such as walking, jogging, or swimming) in addition. The water walking is great for that, especially for folks with bad knees because being in the water takes a lot of weight off the knees and feet. At the same time the water creates resistance to the movement thus giing the leg muscles a good workout.
Part of the reason I started water walking has to do with the knees. I am putting off knee replacement as long as I can and I know the water walking is helping, plus it is fun and easy even though the muscles are really being worked. We also have water weights we can use. I use them for about 1/2 the time I am in the water.
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plus I use the water shoes. Otherwise the bottom of my feet get scraped up. We don't spend the entire hour just walking back and forth, we are visiting a good part of the time, but we keep our legs and arms moving constantly. I feel sorry, sometimes for hubby, depending on the group, he is often the only guy in the water.
