Come to the Water!

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“We have to pay for our drinking water.”  Having been a civil engineer,  that  line from Lamentations 5:4 caught my attention.  Prior to this, the Israelites had obtained water for themselves and their flocks from wells.  But now they had been ravaged by their enemies,  the  Babylonians, and the basics of life – water, bread and firewood - were in very short supply. The thirst for water represents a spiritual drought, resulting from their turning away from God.

Contrast  this spiritual paucity with what Isaiah says:  “Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money , come buy and eat!  Come buy wine and milk without money or price.“  (Isaiah 55:1) God is offering this water (spiritual refreshment)  free  of charge. How do we get it? Jesus is the “tap” for this spiritually satisfying, new life - giving “water.”  Jesus said “If anyone is thirsty, come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water’.” (John 7:37-38)  Verse 39 explains that the living water refers to the Holy Spirit who comes to dwell in those who believe in Jesus.   Believing in Jesus, we have eternal, abundant life and the ongoing spiritual renewal of the Holy Spirit.

The water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life. John 4:14

In the midst of a summer heat wave, one of the best places to be is in the water. Whether it’s a community pool, a motel pool while on vacation, or your own backyard pool, you can work every part of your body gently and safely while staying cool and having fun. Exercising in the water can help build your heart and lungs, strengthen muscles and improve coordination and balance. The physical activity helps diffuse charged emotions and the water moving over your skin gives you a relaxing massage. Because the water cushions every move, it is appropriate if you are pregnant, have joint problems, or are recovering from an injury. With each move, you are pushing against the weight of the water, adding to the calorie burn. The pressure of the water against your legs assists with blood flow return, as if you were wearing elastic stockings. Experience all  of these benefits, without having to put your face in the water or get your hair wet!

Walking, jogging, skiing and jumping jacks are a few of the moves that make up a thorough water exercise routine. You can do one action with your legs, for example, marching,

while doing another with your arms, such as breast strokes. (This challenges your brain as well!) So the possible combinations are almost unlimited. Using equipment, such as gloves, barbells or a noodle adds to the variety and the challenge. You can work as hard as or as easily as you want, but make sure to check with your health care provider before starting. Next week’s post will describe a sample of a basic water workout.

"Photo by www.localfitness.com.au"

Don’t have a swim suit? Read on!

Choosing a Swim Suit for Water Exercise

The swim suit you will want to wear while exercising in the water is going to have different features than what I call a “social” swim suit – one you would wear to a pool party or while relaxing at the beach. Here are a few tips, based on my 24 years of teaching water exercise and seeing many designs of suits worn by class participants.

First of all, forget about a two-piece (unless it is a tankini)!  A one-piece will be much more comfortable and you can count on it to stay with you at all times. The idea is for your suit to be part of you as you jump, kick, ski, etc. through the water. This means a higher-cut bodice that lies close to your sternum. Choose a suit with enough bust support for your build. (There are designs that accommodate a mastectomy.)  And no skinny straps! The straps need to be wider (at least an inch wide) to hold your suit up. Look for a conservative leg cut, since there will be a lot of leg action.

Fabric is an important consideration and it is well worth the investment to get a suit that is chlorine resistant. Some companies, such as H2OWear, have a one-year guarantee.  (But check the restrictions on this, as the guarantee is void if you  wear the suit in a hot tub.) I have had chlorine-resistant suits last for years. A lined suit will also last longer. Be sure to rinse the suit very thoroughly afterward and you might want to add a few drops of chlorine-remover (available at aquarium shops) to the last rinse.

This may sound like a description of a boring swim suit. But there are many designs that meet these qualifications in a wide array of fabric, prints and colors. Express your style in the color or print of your fabric. Or, wear some lively earrings or sunglasses, a colorful hat or headband or carry a unique beach bag. I have seen some very put-together and eye-catching accessories!

The investment in a durable suit may be beyond your reach at this time. Wearing a leotard and a tee shirt may be an option. Check your pool rules, since some have restrictions on what can be worn in the water.

Purchasing a swim suit may be your first step in preparing for water exercise. Now put your suit on and come to the water!