deep water arobics

Thanks for the input about flying to CA but I have to play this one slowly with Ruth. I have always enjoyed her company and I hope our meeting for lunch and coffee are helping her. Sometimes I want to shake poeple who I know would benefit from wls but I know I cant do that. I also have met a very sweet young man at HT he helps get the carts in. He is obese and was having a hard time getting carts in in the freezing wind and I felt bad for him. I stopped and talked to him for a few minutes and today when I saw him I told him what my name was and he told me his. He may not know it but I am going to keep an eye on him and place him under my fairy wings. He is young enough to have been my son. So since I dont have children I can at least enjoy some of the young people I meet a daily bases.                                                              Annie

Wow, Annie. Great going. I am so glad you didn't let fear stand in your way from doing the water class. There are lots of bodies and abilities and so glad you did what you wanted to do. I know it's easier said than done. I have to walk by mirrors and through the women's workout area to get to the pool and Evrytime I walk by those mirrors, I think uggghs, but I don't care in the longrun cause I am going for my benefit.  As far as the kids go, I completely understand! I remember teaching dance when I was younger (in my late teens) and my mother going with me. The kids pointed and called her fat. I remember seeing her smile but knowing how painful that was. all the years she got on me about my weight and my resenting it. I never truly realized what she wanted to spare me was the ridicule and pain being obese would cause me........she only wanted what was best for me. I wish she were here to see me and perhaps she could have even had surgery herself and freed herself from the outershell she was trapped in! She only lived for 54 short years. Anyhow,  I have to stop speking of her. Nearly 24 years and I can still cry like it was yesterday! Barb is right, just be there for your friend. I had a friend who did wls about 5 years ago and I didn't think I would do this surgery. I secretly envied her success....just wishing it was me but was scared to do the surgery and one day it was literally like the light went off and I said to myself, "what is holding you back?" For years I have always wondered why I can't achieve success with weight loss. I owe it to myself and deserve it. That's probably massive amounts of therapy to come to those answers for me, but my point is hopefully your friend will come to find what she needs to do and if she doesn't get to this place then just love her and support her cause you know! You've been right where she is and you know the pain she feels everyday. You also know her fear too.   Anyhow, kudo's to you Annie for taking the steps you've made to live a longer and healthier life! You rock! Lisa

Well Lisa I have never been told I rock before but I love it and of course I considar myself an old hippy anyway LOL I belive your mother sees what a wonderful thing you have done for yourself and is smiling down at you. The pain and humiliation SMO people go through I cant even describe but sounds like you saw it first hand with your mother. God bless her and keep her.                                                 Annie

Annie, I don't ever remember doing ANY exercise that works my a** as much as the deep water aerobics I've been doing for a couple of weeks now.  I was so "wore out" today after I drove away, I felt like I needed to pull on the side of the road and take a quick power nap... LOL... but that's not a very safe thing to do around these parts!   For those who have access to a Y or pool to do this, I highly recommend investing it for yourself.  I had to work up to the deep water for a few weeks, but glad I did.  Sometimes I can't go at that time, so the gals know now that's what I prefer so they get me a deep water "belt" out and I get down there in the deep end by myself and get to it.  Today I was in a lap lane all alone while the "Boot Camp" folks swam laps. I can truly feel my body getting healthy and toned with the water!   I still go in one of the two changing rooms and not nekkid yet out in front of everybody!  But there's a LOT of nekkid women running around in there of ALL shapes and sizes. Some of them probably NEED to get in one of those dressing stalls. LOL You have so much to be proud of... so you go right on in there like I do with all those skinny binnies and strut your stuff.  They might not be hiding extra skin under their suits like we are, but they are most likely hiding other "stuff" in their heads!!

SWIM ON SISTAH! 

Never fear Wendy I am not that brave yet to go struttin around nakid LOL when that happens I will tell Lee you better watch out the Diva is alive and well LOL I asked the teacher if I needed a belt she said go to the deep end and she if I can hold myself up straight I was able to do that no problem I figured I still have enough fat to keep me above water and have no problem floating LOL The teacher I had also teaches at Structure House in Durham which I thought was intresting. As for the locker room I have a very large red towel which goes all the way around.                                                 Annie

Try it with the flotation belt.  It's much better for your back.  I have 13 degen disks in my back and they told me deep water would be the BEST for my back.  I wouldn't be able to do it w/out that belt.  They give everybody belts at the Y where I go to do deep water... unless they are using a flutter board for laps.  It's not so much for flotation (I've got plenty to keep me afloat too)... but more for "stability" to help you get the best workout and not hurt/pull/strain/sprain something.  LOL From a Water Aerobics site: Flotation Belts Flotation belts are often used when exercising in deep water. They help hold your body in a proper alignment while you exercise. When used in deeper water, flotation belts free your lower body for uninterrupted motion, allowing you to increase your range of motion and work a greater muscle mass. Deep Water Safety Tips I prefer the wide ones like this for my back, but they have the skinnier ones too.  Everything I have read about Deep Water says that a "flotation device" should be used in deep water. 

Hello Annie.  I just want you to know that you are such an inspiration to me.  This particular post hits home with me, because I have been trying to decide if I wanted to do the water aerobics....now I know that I can and plan to look into it tomorrow.  Your attitude is just fabulous....and yes...YOU DO ROCK!   Now...for the concern for your friend....you are truly her angel.  she is obviously enjying being around you and I know she sees the changes you are going through.  Maybe silently she is thinking about WLS.  I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers.  I will keep you there also, because I really do think Ruth needs you.  Be strong and let her lean on you for silent support.  You are a great friend! Thanks for being such an inspiration.. Connie

Thanks Connie, I dont try to be different than anyone else I just feel the need to speak from my heart. As I tell Ruth I have walked the walk so I can talk the talk. Ruth said the other day that I ate like a 100lb person. So I am wondering how do 100lb people eat? All I know is I now eat like a person with a pouch. Sometimes it can be frustrating to be all excited about getting ready to eat a certain meal and find out three bites and I am done LOL Then to find out I am no longer a member of the clean plate club anymore. Even with all that I am still grateful I had wls. I fought to have it for 3 years and I refuse to not let it work.                                            Annie

I will ask for a belt on Tuesday and let you know how it goes. That is terrible about your 13 disc Wendy.                                                    Annie