Thinking about last semester.....
In Fall 2018 an email was sent out to all employees asking for volunteers to be clients for the senior capstone class for the Human Performance and Fitness majors. The students would be the Personal Trainer and the volunteers would get a good workout. I was tempted and started to send a reply, but then chickened out. I had been using the new Wellness Center on campus during my lunch hour when the weather wasn't nice, but only had enough guts to use the track. The students were intimidating in the workout and weight rooms. I didn't know how to use the machines so, I would walk in circles on the track. I would sometimes see the capstone students working with their older volunteer clients and wondered what I was so worried about.
Spring 2019 came and once again the email came asking for volunteers. This time I replied stating yes, I was interested! Of course there were too many people interested so the Kinesiolgy Department decided to draw names out of a hat. I received the email that I was not chosen. Darn. After finally deciding I would do it, I wouldn't be doing it.
Not five minutes later, I received an email stating someone had backed out and so they pulled another name and it was mine!! I was excited and nervous at the same time. The volunteers had a meeting with the professor which gave us an idea what this would be all about. We also had to talk about our health, to make sure we could do it. Since I walk at least one mile 5 days a week and am healthy, there wasn't a problem.
Candace came to my office to meet with me and to talk about my goals. This was what I told her in this order...
1) Overall strengthen my body
2) Improve Balance
3) Tone Core
4) Lose weight (not main goal but would like to
The first day we met in the gym was just a test day. She pinched and measured me, I did sit ups, reaches, and walked laps on the track as she timed me. I wanted to do my best so she would be impressed but now looking back, it is kind of like bowling in a league. You want to bowl the best the first time so your teammates are impressed, but that messes up your handicap. This old silver haired woman wanted to impress her student trainer.
We would meet three times a week during my lunch hour, the other two days I would continue to walk outside or on the indoor track. Candace taught me how to use all of the different machines, how to use the free weights, different stretches, core exercises and balance exercises. The best part was she did all of this with me.
Here we are posing with my biggest accomplishment, the leg press.
By the end of the semester, we had become friends and I was becoming fit and confident using the equipment in the Wellness Center. But, it was time for Candace to graduate. I promised her and myself that I would keep it up. During the hot summer days it was easy to go to the gym, not only because it was hot outside, but there were hardly any students! Candace had given me her notes from the class so I was able to remember everything we did. Now that the days are not as hot and the students are back and I love it outside right now, I haven't been going to the gym for many weeks. I have been walking outside during my lunch hour but, without the gym I can tell I am getting jiggly again. Even though I don't want winter to come, I am looking forward to it so that I go back to the gym! Thanks Candace!
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