A year ago, I thought some health issue was causing my low energy and shortness of breath. Medical tests showed I wasn’t ill; I was just really out of shape. Then I saw a Recorder article about the Y’s annual Healthy Aging Fair and Fitness Assessment and signed up. The fitness assessment was humbling, as it quantified how deconditioned I was. At the assessment, a nice Y staffer said, “You might really enjoy our Enhance Fitness class. Thanks to a grant, it’s free for everyone. Why don’t you try it out?”
So, I did.
I went to my first EnhanceFitness class. I huffed and puffed through the cardio, strength, and balance exercises led by the older-than-me instructor. I chuckled recognizing music from many decades ago that provided the soundtrack for our exercises. The other students were welcoming.
And I learned something really important about myself.
I really like having someone tell me how to exercise. Sure, I could exercise at home. But do I? Nope. But when an encouraging and friendly instructor puts on some music-to-move-to and tells me what to do? It’s fun and made me want to go back for another class.
So, I kept going. Three days a week, I was there at EnhanceFitness through the fall, winter, and spring. Then I joined the Y and “graduated” into a more cardio-intensive class called Thrive.
I’m in much better shape than I was a year go! I have more energy. I don’t get so out of breath. And, it turns out that getting regular exercise means I’m less stressed by the challenges in my life.
On Oct. 21, I’m going to this year’s Healthy Aging Fair and Fitness Assessment to see my Y friends and to do the assessment again. I know I’ll score much better than last year.
I hope to see you at the Healthy Aging Fair and at the Y’s exercise classes!
Mary McClintock
Conway