A Watery Dilemma

Earlier this year I announced, with a certain amount of smugness, that I had joined a Caribbean Dance Class. I now have to admit that it only lasted three weeks – my attendance, that is, not the class. I believe there are still people dancing themselves to a standstill and I’m sure it’s doing them good but it was too much for my poor, unfit body. I returned to the comfort and safety of my computer chair… until a few weeks ago.

A few weeks ago, for the first time ever, my GP expressed concern about my blood pressure. He’s not overly concerned so thankfully I don’t have to take pills but he did ask me how many times a week I exercised. He wasn't impressed with my new yoga routine. "It has to be aerobic," he said. My blank stare of a reply told him all that he had, no doubt, expected and I was sent away with a warning to think about it seriously.

For the last few weeks I have been thinking about it seriously. That frenetic dance class wasn’t for me. I’m hopeless at running. My ankle swells when I walk too much (old squash injury but that’s another story!) The only activity left is swimming. I've decided to treat myself and join a club. That way I’m sure to go because I’ve paid money up front (Yes, I am that pathetic at keeping up exercise regimes!) So where to go?

There’s a lovely pool at my old Univerity five minutes drive away and I’m entitled to join because I’m an alumna but it's very expensive. There is also a pool that belongs to another Uni that I could join. It’s the other side of town, not too far away, and it’s a quarter the price but here’s my dilemma. I can swim perfectly well but I’m a wimp. I have to fight the panic if I go out of my depth.  The expensive pool has no deep end. The cheaper one does. On the other hand, they both offer aquarobics on a Friday morning which sounds like fun and I'm sure my GP would approve. 

All I need to do now is to decide which one to join and yes, I know, I am prevaricating. I will get exercising again, really I will... just as soon as I've decided where to go!

So I went to Caribbean Dance Exercise Class

*Gasp*

On the radio this morning they said that women over the age of 30 run the risk of heart disease if they don't exercise regularly. They said that we should do at least 30 minutes of exercise, five times a week. This is a worry!

Firstly, it's a long, long time since I celebrated my 30th birthday and secondly, I spend far too much time sitting at this computer. I'm lucky if I do 30 minutes exercise a week, never mind five times a week. It was time for drastic action.

For several months my friend has been trying to persuade me to join her at a Caribbean Dance Exercise Class. It couldn't be more convenient as it's only on the corner of my street. So this morning, in deference to the health of my heart, I finally succumbed. The lady who runs it is lovely. She has an infectious grin and her enthusiasm, together with the lively music, kept me on the move for a whole 45 minutes!

I have just returned.
I am still conscious.
I am typing this whilst sipping coffee and slowly recovering.

Tomorrow I may feel differently but right now I'm pleased I went. Most of the others there are about my age so I didn't feel too old and I survived it with enough energy to walk home again. What more can I ask?

Well, that's today's exercise sorted. Now, what to do for the next four days?

How many times a week do you manage 30 minutes of exercise?
(If the answer is six times or more then please just comment about the weather! Thank you!)