…in my 20’s, 30’s,40’s,50’s, yikes 60’s

In my 20’s I swam because I didn’t mind putting on my suit and cute leotards on for Jazzercize.  In my 30’s I did high impact aerobics, then low with my girlfriends and walked or ran on the Y’s quarter-mile outside track.  In my 40’s I tried to solve the chubbiness setting in with Jenny Craig and hiking in the woods.  In my 50’s I loved walking my dog, but after tripping quite often breaking multiple body parts I hung the leash up. I remember trying Zumba only once because some of my Latino girlfriends laughed the whole class away watching my comical ‘Swedish’ moves’.

Last week a new/old friend on the block said, “Nanc, I want you to be my special exercise friend.”

“I would be happy to be your new exercise friend,” I said even though my friend the elliptical. had me feeling quite content. “You know that I am in my 60’s now, don’t you?”

“Not to worry, I know I don’t look like it or act like it, but actually I’m in my  70’s.” my friend responded.

But what I didn’t expect was that last week my friend would pick me up every morning at 8:00 o’clock sharp.  Every day of the week we tried something different…Pilates, Yoga, Piloxing, Tableta, and Zumba, of course.  I left with his yearning for the days when we just called all of this stuff high aerobics and lifting weights.

After each session, I went up to each instructor,

“Thank you for the class.  I hope I didn’t distract you too much because every time you went left, I went right. And every time your arm was up mine went down.

All of the 20 something teachers smiled and said,

“Well when we are learning something new we always struggle.  After all, some of these people in this class have been doing this their whole life.”

A big inside sigh… ah yes, some of us have.

My new 70-year-old friend just looked at me and smiled.

“What will we try tomorrow?”

“Maybe a senior class?” I snarled.

“But we’re not… you know.”

“Not in our heads…but my knees are.” I quipped.

PS  This last week we have been exercising like it’s our job.  But on Friday after the free passes expired I decided to join. The rewards?  Friendship and strength I hope!