The Perfect Exercise

Swimming, I have decided, is the perfect form of exercise:

1. It is aerobic.
2. It stretches you all over.
3. It is relaxing (water therapy).
4. It strengthens almost every muscle in your body.
5. You come out cleaner than you went in.

When I moved here in the summer of 2009, I took up swimming for exercise. Our condo has a private pool that is hardly used and I had to give up a 28-year running habit due to bursitis in my hips and pelvis. So, when I started in June, I could barely swim a total of fifteen minutes. (If you haven't tried it, swimming is very physically demanding.) I gradually worked up my time to thirty minutes. When summer faded, I joined a nearby athletic club with a giant indoor heated pool just for lap swimming. Now I swim three times a week for about forty-five minutes, which is just over half a mile each time!

Now the best part of that is that my bursitis and occasional sciatica have virtually disappeared! I sleep better, have more energy, have more muscles, and am extremely clean with a hint of chlorine about me.

My New Athletic Club

Just last week I was bemoaning the cost of the YMCA for winter swimming. I started to think, if I have to pay that much, why not get something closer and nicer, if affordable? I contacted a facility I had driven by a thousand times, just minutes from my house, and they emailed me immediately with an invitation to come in and talk to them, see the facility, etc.

The Athletic Club Northeast is the place. I was met and toured around by a very nice young man and couldn't help but be impressed with the place--immaculately clean, well-equipped, well-staffed, and loaded with classes, groups, instructors, and amenities that I can choose from if I so desire. Most importantly for me, I can swim laps whenever I want!

For just a few dollars more than the Y, I got enrollment and a monthly fee that was discounted for me based on my teaching career and association with the military. I pay automatically by the month and can cancel at any time. He even gave me some guest passes and a complimentary free massage as well as a free swimming "lesson" to assess my style. Wow! I also got five sessions with a trainer for overall fitness. If this is anywhere as good as I think it will be, I'm going to be one happy camper!

The Y is that expensive?

Okay, I have to "get into" this blog and get over the fact that my life is pretty mundane right now. I'm going to try and treat it like I treated Sicily when I was new there. And in some ways, it's a good comparison. I want to get this going and write regularly, whether it's "worthy" or not. Worthy of what? Living for the moment and observation are more important.

The weather has already, unbelievably, turned cool, and my thoughts are turning to "Where in the heck am I going to swim when it's cold?" Swimming is really good; it has done wonders for my bursitis and sciatica. So, I thought (like an American) . . . the YMCA! So, in Googling it, I found at least three fairly close locations. Every one has a pool and lap swimming--perfect. So, I looked at the membership price structure and was shocked. I guess I thought the Y was cheap, something like the old Dickinson House in Oglesby, IL when I was growing up. But no . . . it would $115 to join and $50/ month membership. For a retiree on a fixed income, that seems a bit high! I don't know if I'd qualify for the free "family member of a military member" classification, but it's worth a try. At least I can try out the local Y for seven days for free and see if I like it. Stay tuned.

My Day Starts Here

This is the pool at my condo complex in Atlanta. Every morning I have it to myself as I swim laps for exercise. I was forced to give up jogging after twenty-seven years due to the impact on my joints, so swimming was suggested by a doctor and a physical therapist. A brand-new suit and pair of goggles, and I was back in business! It's aerobic, strength-building, and relaxing. Oh, and I can do it anytime I want! Did I mention that was retired?