Meet Laurie Willis, one of many 2025 Senior Planet Sponsored Athletes. She’ll be sharing updates on her well being and wellness journey by means of the remainder of this 12 months. Laurie, age 67, by no means felt like she had a proclivity for bodily exercise. After retiring, she lastly discovered a health exercise she loves – as a result of it looks like a enjoyable dance outing. She now feels extra folks can get energetic in the event that they discover one thing that feels extra like enjoyable and may enhance your health.
Suppose again to your years in elementary/highschool. Image the child who was good in school however horrible at something associated to bodily schooling – all the time one of many final picked for any staff, working away from the ball as an alternative of attempting to catch it. That child was me. And that’s who I remained for many of my life. Sometimes, I might take a few dance lessons or attempt figuring out within the fitness center. Nevertheless, it by no means lasted very lengthy.
Looking for the Finest “Motion”
Dance was the one bodily exercise I did take pleasure in. Subsequently, once I retired, one among my targets was to attempt some sort of dance/health class to enhance my well being. I used to be delighted to seek out out that my Medicare plan included a free fitness center membership.
The fitness center I joined had Zumba (dance health) lessons, and I began attending. It was so exhausting to maintain up firstly. My mind and physique had a tough time connecting and following the strikes. My physique had a tough time executing a whole lot of the strikes. And I couldn’t make it by means of a complete class with out stopping to relaxation a number of occasions as a result of my stamina was low.
Nevertheless, I cherished the music and the enjoyable ambiance, so I stored attending. I stayed within the again nook and did as a lot as I might. I went a pair occasions per week and made certain I had relaxation days in between. Step by step, I improved.
“Transferring” on Up
[W]hen a health class is disguised as a enjoyable dance occasion, I can care for my physique whereas having a good time.
Quick ahead to immediately, virtually 2 years later, I’m going to lessons 5-6 days per week and loving it. I really feel more healthy than I’ve ever been in my life. I nonetheless wrestle typically maintaining with the strikes, however I adore it anyway. For me, when a health class is disguised as a enjoyable dance occasion, I can care for my physique whereas having a good time.
I’ve earned my certification as an teacher for each common Zumba and Zumba Gold, which is a low-impact model of Zumba geared towards seniors and others with rather less mobility. I’m simply beginning out instructing Zumba and Zumba Gold, with a concentrate on folks like myself – those that really feel uncomfortable and never ok to take part in health actions, who wrestle with getting the dangle of issues that different (normally youthful) folks appear to select up simply.
Discover an exercise you WANT to do – as an alternative of one thing it’s important to drag your self to – and DO IT!
Should you occur to be one among these folks, let me inform you: you CAN do it! If Zumba doesn’t sound thrilling to you, discover one other health exercise that does. It’s OK if it takes some time to be taught. It’s OK should you by no means be taught to do it “proper”. Merely shifting and having enjoyable is what counts. Discover an exercise you WANT to do – as an alternative of one thing it’s important to drag your self to – and DO IT!
Save the Date for Zumba
I look ahead to sharing the exercise I like with the Senior Planet group. Save the date to hitch me on Wednesday, June 18 at 1:30pm EDT. Keep tuned for extra data coming quickly. I look ahead to sharing with the Senior Planet.
In want of slightly motivation to get shifting? Be part of our day by day well being and wellness applications, keep tuned to the newest information and articles from SeniorPlanet.org by signing up for The Orbit weekly e-newsletter, and observe us on social media (Fb | YouTube | Instagram) to get to know these awe-inspiring athletes. You may simply discover a new love for health alongside the best way!
Photos courtesy of Laurie Willis
