Swallowing my pride. Water aerobics

angelb1983

Backstory: my whole life I have struggled with my weight. I always do better with eating when I work out. I have always pushed myself hard, anything less just doesn’t feel like enough, all or nothing personality. I had a wreck when I was a teenager which lead to a shoulder/neck injury that seems to easily get aggravated. I have always modified around it doing HIIT until I built the muscles and it actually got better. Finally progress...
Then, I pushed myself too hard too fast and hurt my calf and foot. I ignored the injury because I didn’t want to stop after such good results. Continuing to work out on an injury only made it worse. I ended up spending tons of money and going through a lot of therapies. It feels better now but still gets aggravated when I start to overdue it. It’s been at least 6 months of no exercise besides a little walking. I have convinced myself that if I can’t do ‘all out’ workouts, it’s just not worth it. That mindset has lead to a 20 pound weight gain which just increases pain. I try to jog and it hurts, I’ve tried yoga and it messes with my neck. I’m feeling discouraged and I’ve lost confidence.
I just found out that a local gym offers water aerobics classes. They seem to be low impact, but i will have to swallow my pride. I always imagined that was for older or extremely overweight people (I’m not small I have just been able to push past my weight and work out any way I wanted).
Has anyone had to go backwards and maybe try something similar? Is water aerobics actually workout? I guess it is something, until I can build back up.

MikePTY

Pride is the enemy of progress. The only bad workout is one where you injure yourself, which has been the ones you are doing. Water aerobics is a lot better exercise than sitting on your couch. Do what you can at the level you can do it at, without comparing yourself to who you used to be.

AliNouveau

Nothing is ever a step back or a less worthy exercise. I hate the attitude some things are for older people and aren't as challenging. I joined a curling league last year with the seniors and while they play a different game they can out curl those half their ages....like me.

I did an aqua fit class in my 20s because it was offered. I don't swim, I've learned since then, but I figured it's something different and it might help my back. I didn't find it a good cardio workout but great core using the water as resistance. Works arms and legs too

debrakgoogins

I had an accident that led to dozens of surgeries. Water exercise was my first step back to a normal life. Water jogging can be a surprisingly good workout! I loved aquasize.

mi_nina_lola

i understand where you're coming from in a big way. i danced and ran for years and am unable to do either now. i think my head was more annoyed than my body about it. we like to think we can continue to do the activities we've done in the past, but life gets in the way. now i do yoga and walking/hiking, and the occasional weights. don't let your mind get the better of you . my best friend goes to Palm springs every year and they do aquasize in the pools there. ladies of ALL ages enjoy it. give it a try and don't beat yourself up... find something that works for you!

ElizabethKalmbach

I tend to agree with @AliNouveau about the stigmas people allow themselves to associate with certain types of movement. Movement is good. Gentle movement can provide just as much resistance as high impact movement. Water can provide FULL BODY resistance way better than air while still managing to be gentle on your joints. Swimmers are athletes just as much as runners and swimming is considered a sport for a reason. If you don't want to do water aerobics, you can always just swim laps, though I suspect that water aerobics is less boring than straight lap swimming, and that is why people prefer it.

Because in the end, it's down to COMPLIANCE. Walking is better than sitting. Running may burn calories faster than walking, but the walking you can do without hurting yourself is better than the running you wish you were doing while you sit on the couch. The things you CAN and WILL do more often are ALWAYS better than the things you never start or can't do safely.

Shortgirlrunning

I did water aerobics in high school. I was a teenager and a healthy weight. Yes, I was the youngest person in the class but it was a blast and I definitely got a workout.

ridiculous59

My local pool offers two different types of classes: Aquasize (in the shallow end) and deep water running. I enjoy the deep water running class and find it to be a decent workout. Its done with a floatation belt and you can make the class as easy or as difficult as you like. It was my main exercise while losing weight and even now, if we go through a period of really bad weather that prevents me from doing outdoor stuff like running, paddling, or cross country skiing, I will go to my DWR class. I don't consider it "going backwards" at all. I just prefer doing my cardio outdoors. If you only have access to a shallow end aquasize class and find it not enough of a workout, talk to the instructor about modifications for you. But if you have the option, try a DWR class. If nothing else, its still better than just sitting around waiting for your lower body injury to heal. That's just stubborn pride, but I think you already know that

ninerbuff

Might absolutely benefit you to work with a trainer who's well versed in sports injury. I've dealt with lots of people who were workout warriors, till they got injured. And most of the time I find their form was incorrect during exercises which initially lead to the injury.


A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

neugebauer52

Water aerobics is excellent for the whole body - the moment you are in the water, most of your weight is gone. Fabulous! Just tell your instructor of any ailments, so that he / she excludes any jarring movements which might hurt your joints / ligaments. Enjoy!

cwolfman13

I've been training and exercising regularly now for a good 7 years. Injuries happen and they shouldn't be ignored, and depending on severity, often lead to set backs. I've been nursing an injury now for about a month and the only thing I can really do is walk and do some rehabby stuff with bands. It is a far cry from what I normally do, and when I get back into my normal routine I will have to build back up...I won't be able to just pick up where I left off. It comes with the territory.

Also, I have my own pool at home and often do water aerobics on my own for some low impact exercise. In the summer I like to do it when I get home as it's too hot to do much else and it's can be very meditative. I actually do quite a bit of low impact exercise and even with my normal routine, I don't make everything some big grind...it's a piss poor way to train.

The key really is to move...not everything has to be some big sufferfest "workout"

snowflake954

I swim + acquagym here in Italy. I've been doing this for 23 yrs and I'm 64--so yes, old. We have all ages, sizes and levels of competence doing water exercises. Yes, it's a real workout, but the intensity will depend on the instructor. I have had many, and they have all been different. We use flotation belts and weights. You can go slower or faster as you wish, so can ramp things up yourself. Careful of your injuries, you may want to go softer where you need to. You want to get stronger, not worsen your situation. You'll just have to try it. The first time I did acquagym, I could barely crawl out of the pool.

lorrpb

My Y has several types of water aerobics classes. Look around and hopefully you can find one that meets your needs also talk to the instructor about ways you can make it more challenging for yourself if needed.

cupcakesandproteinshakes

Yep I do aqua aerobics. It’s a good workout low impact and fun too. I’ve done it on and off since my twenties. Honestly, give it a go and see if you like it

girlwithcurls2

snowflake954 wrote: »

I swim + acquagym here in Italy. I've been doing this for 23 yrs and I'm 64--so yes, old. We have all ages, sizes and levels of competence doing water exercises. Yes, it's a real workout, but the intensity will depend on the instructor. I have had many, and they have all been different. We use flotation belts and weights. You can go slower or faster as you wish, so can ramp things up yourself. Careful of your injuries, you may want to go softer where you need to. You want to get stronger, not worsen your situation. You'll just have to try it. The first time I did acquagym, I could barely crawl out of the pool.

^This. My class is in the US and it's awesome. It really does depend on the instructor. Ours are great. It is by far my hardest workout that I do (running, lifting, swimming laps). I enjoy the deep water class with the belt. You can still get hurt, especially if you're new to it and realize how much of it depends on a strong core, but it kept my cardio strong when I wasn't able to run. My classes are almost entirely women, many over 60, some overweight, but there are also several of us who are younger, not overweight, and very fit. It's a fantastic workout. And afterwards, I sleep like the dead.

pjwrt

angelb1983 wrote: »

Backstory: my whole life I have struggled with my weight. I always do better with eating when I work out. I have always pushed myself hard, anything less just doesn’t feel like enough, all or nothing personality. I had a wreck when I was a teenager which lead to a shoulder/neck injury that seems to easily get aggravated. I have always modified around it doing HIIT until I built the muscles and it actually got better. Finally progress...
Then, I pushed myself too hard too fast and hurt my calf and foot. I ignored the injury because I didn’t want to stop after such good results. Continuing to work out on an injury only made it worse. I ended up spending tons of money and going through a lot of therapies. It feels better now but still gets aggravated when I start to overdue it. It’s been at least 6 months of no exercise besides a little walking. I have convinced myself that if I can’t do ‘all out’ workouts, it’s just not worth it. That mindset has lead to a 20 pound weight gain which just increases pain. I try to jog and it hurts, I’ve tried yoga and it messes with my neck. I’m feeling discouraged and I’ve lost confidence.
I just found out that a local gym offers water aerobics classes. They seem to be low impact, but i will have to swallow my pride. I always imagined that was for older or extremely overweight people (I’m not small I have just been able to push past my weight and work out any way I wanted).
Has anyone had to go backwards and maybe try something similar? Is water aerobics actually workout? I guess it is something, until I can build back up.

Quick backstory:

I've been dealing with arthritis in my feet for 40 years and my wrists/thumbs for ten. The latter may be associated with a lifetime on motorcycles, I don't know...lol.

On top of all that, I've been a gym member for 45 years with all the little injuries that offers.

Also, I'm in construction for 40 years and prefer the field to the office any day. The office staff prefers it, too, but it adds to my daily pains.

Again, in the service (45 years ago), I picked up an insidious hepatitis that only recently has been 100% curable. I feel much better now, but it was getting miserable for the last 30 years.

Gym pool? Yuck. Try not to swallow any water.

geraldaltman

Water exercise (which happens to be aerobic) is perhaps the best exercise around especially if living a post joint replacement life. Suggesting it as limited to seniors is an unfortunate stereotype. You DO NOT need to be elder to benefit from pool exercise and you DO NOT need to join a class to do pool aerobics. If you own a pool or have access to one year round you are good! I could never get into high intensity or lifting exercise. Since my hip replacements, the water has become the core of my exercise. I have moved my continuing PT exercise there and then expanded it into a regimen that covers close to 110 minutes. There are a variety of water resistance aids available for use as well. Alternate that with track or treadmill walking every other day and that is my exercise which has been more consistent than it has in a very long time. Combine that with calorie monitoring and the end result has been a 40 pound loss with better and constantly improving lab test numbers.

pacsnc6

I do water aerobics at the city gym. The type of exercise depends on who is teaching the class, one does HIIT and aerobic exercise like jogging in place, high knees, etc, along with workouts using "weights" and floats. One does all aerobic moves, and another adds in stretching exercises. We do not know who is teaching on any given day. They all give us options to adjust the exercises to our abilities or limitations.
I find it the best way for me to exercise because the water supports my body and helps with balance.

snowflake954

pjwrt wrote: »

angelb1983 wrote: »

Backstory: my whole life I have struggled with my weight. I always do better with eating when I work out. I have always pushed myself hard, anything less just doesn’t feel like enough, all or nothing personality. I had a wreck when I was a teenager which lead to a shoulder/neck injury that seems to easily get aggravated. I have always modified around it doing HIIT until I built the muscles and it actually got better. Finally progress...
Then, I pushed myself too hard too fast and hurt my calf and foot. I ignored the injury because I didn’t want to stop after such good results. Continuing to work out on an injury only made it worse. I ended up spending tons of money and going through a lot of therapies. It feels better now but still gets aggravated when I start to overdue it. It’s been at least 6 months of no exercise besides a little walking. I have convinced myself that if I can’t do ‘all out’ workouts, it’s just not worth it. That mindset has lead to a 20 pound weight gain which just increases pain. I try to jog and it hurts, I’ve tried yoga and it messes with my neck. I’m feeling discouraged and I’ve lost confidence.
I just found out that a local gym offers water aerobics classes. They seem to be low impact, but i will have to swallow my pride. I always imagined that was for older or extremely overweight people (I’m not small I have just been able to push past my weight and work out any way I wanted).
Has anyone had to go backwards and maybe try something similar? Is water aerobics actually workout? I guess it is something, until I can build back up.

Quick backstory:

I've been dealing with arthritis in my feet for 40 years and my wrists/thumbs for ten. The latter may be associated with a lifetime on motorcycles, I don't know...lol.

On top of all that, I've been a gym member for 45 years with all the little injuries that offers.

Also, I'm in construction for 40 years and prefer the field to the office any day. The office staff prefers it, too, but it adds to my daily pains.

Again, in the service (45 years ago), I picked up an insidious hepatitis that only recently has been 100% curable. I feel much better now, but it was getting miserable for the last 30 years.

Gym pool? Yuck. Try not to swallow any water.

So, nobody should swim? In the ocean there are fish--so it's not clean and no one should swim? 23 yrs of swimming + acquagym and no hepatitis here. You can pick up microbes in the gym too. There was once a thread on it. Glad you've found what works for you.

SnifterPug

I did water aerobics some years ago and loved it. The instructors gave different options for those who wanted to take it easier and those who wanted to work hard (me). It absolutely can be a good work out if you put the effort into it. Yes, it does tend to attract older and overweight ladies and some of them get annoyed if you jump around and splash their hair - but go for it.

MikePfirrman

Tai Chi or Qigong might be something to look into. Slow, easy, very gentle but both are effective. Plus, Qigong and Tai Chi have been studied and proven to reduce Chronic Pain.