Does anyone really like exercise? I don’t, but I have been exercising for the better part of 50 years. Tell me that someone really likes to stretch, strain, hoist weights and jump around for an hour. However, I must admit, I do like the feeling after I have done all that activity and pushed my body into ridiculous positions.
I will never understand why we do some of those odd movements. When are we ever called upon to extend our arms and move them like a windmill? There is a lot of kicking, but we are not supposed to ever kick anybody. Right? That is unless we were being mugged. If so, I’m ready for them! I can kick forwards, backwards, and sideways. And you should see my knees come up with a smile and a nice little pat.
Now, I can understand moving my neck every which way. I have to do that every time I get in the car. We also move our ankles at exercise class, and that’s a good thing, it helps us walk. I could do those things at home, but it’s more fun to do these movements to music with twenty other people. I admire the person who exercises at home. But, at home I can’t remember our clever routines that make us forget that we’re exercising.
When did all this exercising start? I’m 95, but when I was young we weren’t expected to move our bodies too much after grammar school.
I have to admit that I do like the aerobics part of exercise … it’s like dancing.
My exercise class has four teachers and several substitutes. Each has a different style and has found a different muscle to work on.
Even though I don’t like to exercise, I still go … regularly.
You know why? Because I like the crazy people who like to exercise and whom I love being with.
Jeanette Smith, 95, a Blythewood resident, has been active in the community’s civic affairs for over 50 years.
