'Kids' at play
Seniors work hard, with sometimes more
enthusiasm than younger counterparts
On any Monday, Wednesday or Friday morning, if
you venture by the North Lake pool, you can see
the “kids” splashing their way through
my aquarobics class. These “kids”
are unlike any others in our student population
because they are members of what many call our
nation’s “greatest generation.”
They are my older adult class, and about seventy
of them show up regularly to take the class for
college credit. Many of the students are in their
seventies and eighties, but one would never know
that, as they work just as hard and often with
more enthusiasm than their young counterparts
in traditional classes.
The class has become not only a time for exercise
and fitness for the students, but also an opportunity
for them to enjoy the socialization and company
of their classmates. Their stories are endless
and fascinating. I am always energized by their
excitement and dedication to the class.
While other students may look forward to holidays
and breaks, these “kids” prefer to
maintain their routine of classes and exercise.
In fact, many wish that we had year- round school
with no breaks. Missing class or taking time off
just isn’t an option to this group. How
refreshing for a teacher to embrace a group that
all want to be in class and willingly participate.
The students come from a variety of backgrounds.
Each has his or her own story of where they came
from, how they got here, and the experiences that
they have had along the way. Many are World War
II veterans with stories that would captivate
and motivate our history classes. A few are survivors
of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Many are survivors
of D-Day and harbor the images of that conflict.
Some are war brides who married soldiers overseas
and are now citizens of our country. Others met
their spouses while serving our country during
the war. As they share their stories, it makes
me proud and grateful that I am able to live those
stories through them.
Even though the social aspect of the class is
fun and intriguing, it is the exercise and fitness
that keeps them coming back. Hip replacements,
knee replacements, open heart surgery, rheumatoid
arthritis, osteoarthritis, and diabetes are some
of the obstacles that these students are striving
to overcome now. You name it and someone in the
class has it or has experienced it. The effects
of age, improper or overindulgent diet and little
exercise have taken its toll. They come to exercise
because they want to feel better or because their
doctors have prescribed it. They come to condition
their bodies so that the quality of their lives
can remain physically enjoyable.
Just like with all of us, there are days when
many say it is hard to pull themselves out of
bed and make it to class. However, they also share
that the end product of feeling better at the
conclusion of the class routine is worth it. Exercise,
diet, and obesity are terms that we see in the
news and on TV every day. The stories of how our
nation today is in a health crisis due to poor
diet and little exercise are abundant. Many of
my older adults often share that they wish they
had taken better care of their bodies when they
were young. They wish that they had been more
concerned about their diet and exercise habits.
They also wish that they could get the word out
to the younger generation about the importance
of tending to these health and fitness issues
now, rather than later.
My North Lake College older adults have taught
me a great deal about life, health, fitness and
fun. There is much that we all can learn from
their words of wisdom and experience that can
give us insight and motivation to improve the
quality of our lives and health in the future.
(Monica Clausen is an instructor of physical
education at North Lake College, a certified personal
trainer and group fitness instructor.)
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