Silver Sneakers

Yes, folks....I turned 65 in January and I jumped for joy when my Medicare Card arrived in my mailbox! Well, I'm not thrilled to be older but I certainly suffered for 8 years without health insurance due to existing conditions. I'm blessed with two friends that are nurses that helped me through some health issues along the way. It was very costly for my doctor visits when it became absolutely necessary to warrant an appointment. Being a woman, it is mandatory for the pap tests and mammogram.......more $$$ for my checkbook which could barely cover these expenses and I had to make sacrifices in other areas for my budget to handle these bills. So YES! I love having health insurance.

I got so hyped up to join Silver Sneakers to get my old body back into shape. I walked into the classroom and felt like I was the youngest person in the class. To my surprise, I could NOT keep up with the 80 year olds! I was huffing and puffing and sweating my brains out. But I made a commitment to myself to go three days a week and later anxious to join the Zumba class which I'm sure most have you heard about as it is all the rage these days. It is a fast pace form of Latin dancing that surely gives you a boost of Cardio. I love Ballroom dancing so I hope being a former ballroom dancer that this will help me keep up in the class. LOL I'll let you know how I do.

Oh my, my first day in a Silver Sneakers Class at another gym, this elderly gentleman fell off the big ball he was sitting on for balance and weights in his hand....his head banged on the floor and I freaked out. Why would they give an 80 year old a large ball to sit on and placed on slippery hardwood floors? The next instruction was to slide your tush down on the ball and that is when this poor guy crashed. He was fine but it was scary for me to watch. I got a yoga mat that was stacked high against the wall and told the guy perhaps the mat on the floor under the large ball may prevent the ball from sliding.

I, on the other hand was smart and skipped that part of that class altogether. Damn, if I fall off of that big exercising ball! I'm trying to get back into shape not break bones or split my head open!  Of course, every gym makes you sign a disclaimer that they are not responsible for your injuries.

Decided to try a different gym and luck was with me to find a fabulous instructor.  Only four classes under my belt so far and I already lost 3 lbs.  That is good for me!  WhoooHoooooooooo!

Everyone in my class remembered my name and greeted me with such kindness. The Instructor's name is "September". She is a hoot...whenever we are lifting weights she yells out "Oh yeah.... Baby, Baby" when the arms are started to hurt. She sings and jokes around with everyone and calls out their names. I really like her. She gets you motivated. And, my favorite Sinatra songs are blaring from her boom box! When September starts counting she will start backwards and yells out 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 3, then a member in our class takes over and says: twooooooooooooooooo and 1. September's personality and great sense of humor makes that hour go by quickly and worth it.

We do a lot of weights while sitting in a chair and a lot of kicks with our legs while standing up.....one particular kick....the Instructor yelled out...."pretend you are a dog and bend you leg at the knee and lift up to the side to a count of eight. Don't let the words "Silver Sneakers" fool you. These people are devoted to their exercise and take it very seriously which in turn provides them with a better quality of life.

Well, my goal is important. I want to receive all the benefits from increasing flexibility and improving my balance. Just try standing on one foot....how long can you do it? This class also provides great stretching techniques. I definitely went home feeling very sore. God Bless our older generation, these people take their exercising seriously and they have stamina. By my third class, I was able to keep up and they all cheered for me!  They are too funny.

Being flexible allows me fuller movement and reduced pain in my joints so that it is easier to perform my daily activities. I highly recommend Silver Sneakers for you Seniors out there. Go put that younger crowd to shame!

I plan on adding a Yoga/Meditation class too, perhaps in a couple of weeks.

The best part is that it is helping me sleep a little better.  WhooooHooooooooooo!