If you think diet alone can give you the body you want, especially after age 40, you are just fooling yourself! Being lucky enough to live in Florida, in a house with an in-ground pool, I now exercise in the water. The benefit of doing this is increased resistance with little to no stress on the body's delicate joints.

In 1990, I was in a car accident that left me permanently disabled. I have five herniated discs- three in my lower back, and two in my neck. This year, I have been working on losing weight and
becoming more physically fit. As a young woman in my twenties, before the accident, when I worked out vigorously, I could eat anything I wanted, and still fit into my size five jeans. When I didn't exercise, I was fat. So this year, I got the idea of doing the exercises I did in PE class in the pool. This is how I am starting out with my program. It will get more complicated as I progress.

People with severe arthritis may benefit by exercising in warm water. Your body weight is supported and the resistance of moving through water boosts muscle strength and endurance. Activities such as
stretching or walking through water can exercise the joints without putting them under strain.

Locations that may run warm water exercise classes include recreation centers, fitness centers, public swimming pools and retirement villages. See your doctor before embarking on any new fitness program.

The benefits of warm water exercise:

A study published in the American College of Sports Medicine's journal, Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise,
found that water exercise improved the health of elderly participants.
In the study, women between the ages of 60 and 75 years were divided
into two groups: one group participated in water exercise for 12 weeks,while the other didn't. The health benefits for those who exercised in water included:

* Increased muscle strength
* Improved oxygen intake
* Greater flexibility
* Loss of excess body fat
* Increased agility
* No exercise-related injuries.

Before you join a class:

* Always check with your doctor before starting any new exercise program. For example, you may need to avoid certain movements if you have had joint replacement surgery.
* Contact the various fitness and recreation centers in your local area to find out what sorts of water classes are offered.
* Think carefully about the location. Public swimming pools, for example, generally have cooler water temperatures, which means you could feel cold while exercising.
* Assess the location. For example, is the pool easy to access? Is there a locker room? Is it accessible and comfortable?
* Before choosing a class, make sure it is appropriate to your level of fitness and ability. You may like to watch a class or two from the sidelines before you commit to joining.

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