OMG! I had so much fun tonight at the Aqua class. There were people of all shapes and sizes at the class, and it was so nice to feel like I wasn’t the heaviest one in the room, for once. Everyone was so warm and welcoming, which was great. I can’t even tell you how many compliments I got on my suit, which was so sweet.
I got to the gym and was changing into my suit and started to feel a bit self conscious about taking off the towel I had wrapped around me. My fears were totally unwarranted, though, because as soon as I entered the pool room, I saw lots of women who were bigger than me and didn’t seem to have any problem showing their bodies. I really admire their confidence. I think this class is going to do so much for my image of myself and my body.
The only complaint I have about the class is that the water was really COLD! Talk about a shock to the system as soon as you get in. I have to wonder why our gym fees are so high if they’re not really going to heat the pool. I mean, it wasn’t freezing cold, but it wasn’t anywhere as warm as I expected it to be. As soon as the class started, though, I warmed up right away.
I was surprised at the number of people who were in the class; I’d say there were at least 25-30 of us in the pool tonight. There were a few men who took the class, but most of them were older, or had some sort of injury and they didn’t make me feel awkward in the least. Really, I can’t say enough how kind these people were.
The regular teacher was on vacation, and tonight’s replacement wasn’t awesome, but the group of people in the class are so much fun, so they made it fun. I think another substitute is going to be there tomorrow night, and supposedly she’s like a drill sergeant, so I’m sure to get a good workout in. This teacher wasn’t the clearest with her directions and explanations of how to do some of the moves, but you know what? I wasn’t upset in the least that I couldn’t do some of the moves perfectly well. Since some of the instructions tonight were a bit difficult to follow, I figured as long as I kept moving, that was all that mattered.
There were so many times during the workout that I noticed myself really short of breath, which is always the sign of a good workout! I haven’t had that feeling in a long time because with walking, I’m so slow that I don’t build up enough speed to really lose my breath. This was great tonight. In fact, I looked it up on WW eTools, and 1 hour of Aqua Aerobics earns the same number of APs as 1 hour of moderate bike riding! That’s really phenomenal.
I left the gym feeling as if I had really used my muscles, but I didn’t feel overworked, in pain, or sore. I felt so free in the water, and it was an amazing experience. The whole thing was so positive, which is so good for me. I needed this tonight. I needed to start feeling good about my workouts and what I could do with my body.
I’m definitely hitting the Aqua class again tomorrow night, and I think I’m going to make it a regular thing on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights.
Yay water aerobics!
I LOVE Water Aerobics Classes. My favorite part about them is that they are as easy or as hard as you want them to be. There area always the old ladies that are on the side basically just walking in place and are there to Gossip, BUT you also have the people who are serious about it!
You can earn 6 or so WW Activity Points for a single Water Aerobics Class. The best part is that you dont feel as traumatized after a water aerobics class as say the treadmill, but you still burn tons and tons of calories.
I am so happy that you found something that works for you!
The number of APs depends on how much you weigh. For me, I can earn 5, which is great.
You’re completely right about the level of intensity being up to the individual. I love that about it, as well. This is definitely something that I see myself doing regularly, and as part of a varied workout routine that includes the elliptical machine, workout DVDs and riding my bike outside.
I’m so glad you took a water aerobics class! I love them! I’m actually certified to teach them too, but haven’t had my own class yet.
“Water Baby!” Way to go on the class! sounds like a great workout.