| Being a couch potato for nearly a lifetime ended | | | | warm to the big toe was a little chilly to the rest of |
| recently with the realization that health both mental | | | | the body, but after the initial gasp, it became warmer |
| and physical was being compromised by lack of | | | | after a few minutes. I was swimming again! |
| exercise. There was no reason not to take up some | | | | However, 10 minutes later exhaustion set in so it was |
| sort of exercise regime but finding something that | | | | just a case of watching everyone else enjoying him |
| suited would be a problem. In younger days, | | | | or herself. Then discovery of the pleasures of the |
| swimming enjoyment was part of life, but family | | | | spa had me hooked. From then on, it became a daily |
| commitments and an ever-increasing waistline spelled | | | | cause of motivation and pleasure. |
| doom to swimming. The shear embarrassment of | | | | As the days turned into months and years, the ability |
| wearing swimming attire was too great! | | | | to achieve more and more became evident. Muscles |
| The decision made to go and check out the local | | | | became stronger, mental outlook had each day |
| swimming pool became the focus and first step to | | | | becoming worth getting out of bed for. The |
| take. It had been over 40 years since stepping in to | | | | friendship of people at the pool enjoyable and |
| the complex, memories somewhat faded as to its | | | | providing an insight into other cultures. Swimming or |
| facilities. The pool looked beautiful and inviting but | | | | pool walking provides an excellent exercise base to |
| ethnicity had changed in the intervening years. The | | | | gently improve the body and health of an individual. It |
| mix was now mostly other races from all round the | | | | causes little strain on joints that have worn over the |
| world and none of European descent. This could be a | | | | years, even aiding recovery from joint surgery. |
| hindrance, as I did not fit the demographics and the | | | | The key is doing the exercise regularly as in most |
| feeling of definitely being the odd one out allowed | | | | pursuits, because that is where the improvement |
| me to understand how those of other races must | | | | comes from and everything else follows. Having |
| feel when joining our society. | | | | altered the eating habits of a lifetime as well, I find |
| Facing the situation was not easy, but the next day | | | | there is a much healthier, slimmer and fitter body. |
| saw the pool with a new customer. The big pool, | | | | Swimming and pool walking are the greatest! |