It’s not secret that I’m not a massive fan of exercise. I mean I know I have to do it, but if you were to ask me if I’d like to meet you for a walk my answer would almost certainly be a hard no.
Over the years I’ve tried all sorts of exercise regimes and I can honestly say I’ve never enjoyed any of them.
I also don’t understand a lot of what goes on when you exercise.
Sweating for instance. What is with that? It’s bad enough that I have to endure a humidity ridden summer, where the heat is high and the hair is big. WHY would I want to add extra sweat to that situation by exercising?
And yes, you’re right. I could go to a gym and enjoy (<using that word very loosely right now) working out in air conditioned comfort.
But have you ever been trapped in a dark windowless room with 24 other women on stationary bikes while some random yells weird instructions at you via a muffled headpiece?
“Crank that dial up to 10! YEAH! FEEL THE BURN. DOESN’T IT FEEL GREAT?!”
No Susan. It doesn’t feel great. It feels like my legs are on fire. Also, WHY ARE MY KNEECAPS SWEATING?
Which brings me to endorphins.
Apparently they’re meant to kick in right after you exercise. You’re meant to be all, “That was so good, I’m going to do it again tomorrow!” once you haul yourself off the bike and meet your gym buddies downstairs for an almond milk latte with a protein ball chaser crawl down the stairs.
I’m not kidding when I tell you I’m fairly sure I’m missing the endorphin gene.
The only thing I feel when I’m done with exercise is sheer relief!
So when it was gently suggested to me by my endocrinologist last year that perhaps, maybe, possibly I might like to give water walking a go, I smiled politely and said I would. While possibly trying my hardest not to eye roll out loud.
But because I don’t go back on my word, even when I really want to, I gave the water walking thing a go.
And – I really hope you’re sitting down for this – I LOVED IT.
I KNOW. I am still in a bit of shock over that sentence too.
I gave water walking a miss during the winter but now that the glorious warm weather is here, I’m back into again AND STILL LOVING IT.
Whenever I share a post-water walking pic on insta or Facebook I receive a lot of questions about it. So today I thought I’d answer your questions in one handy blog post.
Keep in mind I’m definitely no fitness expert and my answers are based purely on my own experience. If you’re looking to start a new fitness regime and if like me, it’s been a while since you’ve done anything, it’s probably a good idea to have a chat with your GP about what’s right for you.
Ok, let’s get stuck into it shall we?
All your water walking questions answered!
1. Where do you go water walking?
I do it in the outdoor heated 25m pool at my local aquatic centre.
2. Do you do a class or do you just rock up and get in the pool?
I just rock up and get in the pool.
3. How long do you walk for?
Anywhere from 30 – 45 mins depending on how much time I have.
4. How do you actually do it?
I just get in the pool and start walking/jogging in the water.
5. Is it hard?
Yep! I get really puffed doing it, especially when I jog/run a few laps. All that resistance in the water makes it much harder than the regular walking around the neighbourhood I do in the winter months.
6. How many times a week are you exercising?
At the moment, three.
7. What do you wear? Are water shoes involved?
I head to the pool straight after the school run in the morning. I wear my togs, a throw on dress and thongs/jandals/flip flops to school and then the pool.
When I’m in the water I wear a hat and have plenty of sunscreen on, which I apply before I leave home. I don’t wear water shoes.
I keep a water bottle at the end of the pool and take a sip from it every few laps.
When I get out of the water, I dry myself off – don’t forget to pack a towel – throw my dress and thongs back on and head home to have a quick shower and get ready for the day ahead.
Water Walking essentials
- cap from Kmart
- underwire chlorine resistant swimsuit from Capriosca Swimwear
- Invisible Zinc for face and body from Coles
- Post water-walking skin care from Skin Boss – I take a body oil with me to the pool and apply to my arms and legs as soon as I’m out of the pool. When I’m home I have a
protein shakeGet Up And Glow® cup of coffee and apply to my face while I’m waiting for the coffee machine to do its thing.
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