There is amazing support out there

Options
ICanDoThis
ICanDoThis Member Posts: 1,473
edited June 2014 in Working on Your Fitness

Gotta talk about my water aerobics instructors.

At over 300 lbs (and more years ago than I care to remember), during a bout of unemployment,  I managed to stuff myself into a 28W swimsuit and took an arthritis exercise class with the senior citizens during the day. The instructor was a sweetie, funny and compassionate, and she commented when my suit started getting a little loose. Then I got a job, and yo-yoed for a couple of years between 260 and 285. When I decided to get serious about losing last year, she was still there.
But this time the bathing suit was a 2X, and the other people in the aerobics class were mostly younger than me. She was there through the "I'm sorry, I don't know when I'll be back, is there any way I can postpone my prepaid lessons" conversation when I got breast cancer.

But this year, she is coaching swim teams, and we have new instructors. So I signed up for drop-in passes (I don't trust pre-paid anymore). And the new suit is a 1X (yippy skippy!).  I went to a couple of classes.
One of my instructors used to be a student. She's a young school teacher who was trying to take off 25 lbs so she could qualify for breast reduction surgery. She's there now, and will be meeting with a surgeon over the holidays. She's now an 8-10, and all the men stare at her Pam Anderson-esque figure, but her back hurts. She's sweet and kind and funny, and I hope she gets surgery during a break, cause I would hate to miss her classes.

The other new instructor teaches regular land-based aerobics as well. Her mother died of breast cancer, so she noticed my scars right away in the locker room. Last night, before class we were warming up in the hot tub, and she told me about her mom, and about how she's going to volunteer at the local Gilda's Club to teach a stretching and upper body strength class in honor of her mom. She had some questions about how the muscles feel when I work out vigorously.

You know, I'm a really lucky lady to have these people in my life, and I wanted to share them with my cyber friends.

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • AnneW
    AnneW Member Posts: 4,050
    edited December 2008

    Yes, the support is wonderful. I used to hide my scars in the locker room, now I don't. If someone wants to start up a conversation or discuss a concern, then maybe I can help.

    Congrats on your weight loss and sticking with the swim thing. Keep up the good work!

    Anne

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2008

    Sue....Thanks so much for your wonderful, selfless tribute to these professionals. I teach aerobics too and it's most rewarding when I can share my bc experience with others who come to my classes with limitations and hopes to feel more fit and healthier. And it's especially heartwarming to hear from women such as yourself who appreciate our efforts.

    ~Marin

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gymgirl
    gymgirl Member Posts: 121
    edited December 2008

    I love my step instructor! She's had some serious medical issues too but comes right back. And the women in class? What a great support group. The talking & visiting in class are just as important as the exercising. I think I've been doing step since it was invented and I know all the exercising has made a big difference in my bc recovery.  After the lumpectomy I talked to the whole class about knowing your own body well enough to notice if there is a change and the importance of being proactive about your own health care - especially the young women. In a more personal level in the locker room I've shared about my surgeries and reconstruction. I've found that women want to know what it's like and what the options are. They're all afraid it might happen to them and it's good for them to see me still working out with a positive attitude.

    So Marin, thanks for teaching and sharing. I'm sure you've made a difference to the women in your classes! Or if they're men, given them something to think about.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lisa-e
    lisa-e Member Posts: 819
    edited December 2008

    Sue, I think it is great that you found a form of exercise you like and are sticking with it!



    Anne and gymgirl, you both mention not hiding your scars while in the locker room. I had a billateral mastectomy without reconstriction and have major scars on my chest, in addition to a scar from a total hip replacement. I feel really self concious about the scars - when I was going to physcial therapy at the pool, other women in the dressing room would stare at them. However, they wouldn't ask any questions or say anything.



    Now that I am climbing again, I am using the locker room at the climbing gym. I feel even more self concious because most of the women are younger than I am and have fit, young bodies. My question is how to handle the looks - do you say something or just ignore the looks and only respond to questions?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories