Why I Keep Showing Up at the YMCA Even When It Feels Hard
I want to start this honestly
I have already gone
In January I attended one Aquafit class one meditation class and one Chairfit class That matters because trying something once when you live with disabilities takes effort courage and a fair bit of mental negotiation
The YMCA is slowly becoming a place I am willing to return to and that says more than any fitness goal ever could
For about 30 dollars every two weeks the membership feels manageable and realistic especially on a fixed income Pricing can vary by location but the value for choice and accessibility feels solid
Aquafit My First Yes
Aquafit was my first class and it felt like the safest place to begin The water supported my body in ways the floor never does My joints complained less my balance felt steadier and I did not feel rushed
What surprised me most was how normal it felt Nobody was watching Nobody cared if I paused or modified I just moved and that was enough
That alone made it worth showing up
Chair fit Where Effort Meets Reality
Chair fit confirmed something important
I do not need to stand to get stronger
Being able to stay seated while still working on strength flexibility and stability removed a huge barrier Chair fit respected the fact that some days standing is not the win
Leaving that class I felt worked but not wiped out which is the balance I am always chasing
Meditation The Unexpected Bonus
The meditation class was quieter slower and exactly what my nervous system needed Movement is not always physical Sometimes it is learning how to breathe again without rushing yourself
Having this included in the same membership made the YMCA feel less like a gym and more like a wellness space
The Balance Program The One I Am Still Considering
The balance program is the only one I have not attended yet Not because it is not important but because balance is personal When it starts to feel shaky it touches confidence independence and fear
I am watching this one closely Balance training feels less like exercise and more like future proofing I am not there yet but I am closer than I was
Why I Will Likely Keep Going
What keeps me coming back is not motivation
It is permission
Permission to move slowly
Permission to adapt
Permission to show up imperfectly
The YMCA feels like a place where seniors with disabilities are expected not accommodated as an afterthought
That matters
Final Thoughts
This is not a transformation story It is a continuation story
I went
I tried
I survived
I might go again
For now that is enough
I had a good time in the classes. As usual there were more women than men and the chair fit group actually let me sit with them before class.This was enough to encourage me to come back!
I hit a small snag in the third week of January due to some mismanagement of THC, the cartridge I was using was like 65% THC and that sent me into the worst depression I've had in months. A talk with E help me understand that the amount of THC I was using was too much for the sleepy time effect and was triggering me. I switched to one called Nighty Night which only contains CBD & CBN no THC and I am much improved.
My main goal for February is to attend 3 days a week. I am not sure I'm ready for that but I will go at least once a week that is the absolutely the least I will allow myself.
My second goal is to attend a Social Seniors program at the library More than one if I can manage it. The Thursday one is at the Miskin Centre which also has an indoor walking track so if I can't do the social thing for long I can still get some exercise in
My third goal is the reorg of my 5x5 Yeah I know I've tried before but not knowing what I have or where stuff is is driving me a bit batty
I'll see you again on March 1st at least that is the plan.
had a little help from chatgpt with this. It just writes me better than I write myself :)
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If you’re walking a similar path with fibromyalgia or chronic illness, I’d be interested to hear what endurance looks like in your day-to-day life.