I have not been to the Covenant Lifestyle Center in months. it was a combination of factors. Last fall, while the staff and administration at the Lifestyle Center insisted that the water was "heated," it certainly did not feel that way. I got tired of being cold in the water, and being uncomfortable when I got out. I was not the only one who complained, to no avail.
Then, I got really, really busy at work and often worked so late that I could not have gone to the Lifestyle Center during the week, had I wanted to. I blew off weekend sessions. My bad. Then, the cold winter weather moved in. I have a hard time getting into cold water in cold weather.
Last month, at the Barnes and Noble Book Club, a friend said we needed to return to the Lifestyle Center. I agreed, but did nothing. She said the same thing last night, which motivated me enough to go today. It was a wonderfully warm, sunny day. I could not contact the friend, but went, anyway.
The pool was empty when I arrived, but shortly some pool friends arrived. One told me the pool had been very cold that last 3 days, but was a little warmer today. And the air in the room was warm. (And the pool heater was on, so the pool warmed as we stayed.)
I met some new people at the pool tonight. One is a reader and loves mysteries, and expressed an interest in the Barnes and Noble Mystery Book Club.
I was cold when I got out of the pool. One of my pool friends had a robe that she made out of towels, because she was tired of being cold when she got out of the pool. She mentioned that others have started using cotton robes. So, I am not the only one who hates being cold in the pool and when I get out. Hmmmm. I do not sew, but maybe this person will make me a robe, if I buy the towels.
I need the exercise. And I enjoy the people. Maybe I can motivate myself to start to go to the Lifestyle Center regularly, again.
Showing posts with label pool. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pool. Show all posts
Friday, February 12, 2016
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Cold Water
I remember as a kid spending a long time getting into cold swimming water. Tonight, I went to the pool, and the water was very cold to my touch. It must have been to the others there also, because one person made a comment about getting a hot shower after getting out of the pool.
Well, tonight, as I do every night at the pool, I just walked right in, even though it was cold water. I started moving and kept moving and while I cannot say I warmed up, I was not cold and uncomfortable in the pool.
Well, tonight, as I do every night at the pool, I just walked right in, even though it was cold water. I started moving and kept moving and while I cannot say I warmed up, I was not cold and uncomfortable in the pool.
Sunday, December 7, 2014
A Busy Weekend
Hmmm, I do not know why, but this has felt like a busy weekend. I went to the pool on Friday. I did the usual housework and chores on Saturday, but if felt like I did not get much rest. I also went to the pool. There was no Tech football or basketball game, but that just made my day seem busier, not more restful (watching or listening to sports is restful to me.)
Today, more of the same. But some of that was because I did some extra shopping, and went to the Texas Tech Museum to see the Andrews Shaker Collection http://www.depts.ttu.edu/museumttu/exhsch11.html. I believe I have mentioned this exhibit before. It was good.
I was reminded about oval Shaker boxes. I love boxes, and used to be enamored of oval Shaker boxes.
I did go to the pool today, too.
But, I did relax, watching some NCAA women's basketball, and the New England Patriots football game. That helped me to relax.
Today, more of the same. But some of that was because I did some extra shopping, and went to the Texas Tech Museum to see the Andrews Shaker Collection http://www.depts.ttu.edu/museumttu/exhsch11.html. I believe I have mentioned this exhibit before. It was good.
I was reminded about oval Shaker boxes. I love boxes, and used to be enamored of oval Shaker boxes.
I did go to the pool today, too.
But, I did relax, watching some NCAA women's basketball, and the New England Patriots football game. That helped me to relax.
Friday, November 7, 2014
Make Up at the Pool
Okay, so this is something that has bothered me since I joined the Covenant Lifestyle Center http://www.covenanthealth.org/Our-Services/LifeStyle-Centre.aspx.
I wear my glasses in the pool. I have a cord designed to catch them, should they fall off my face. I wear them for several reasons: a) I would get a horrible headache if I was in the pool being active for an hour or so without them. b) it would be more difficult to read my routine card without my glasses. c) I would not recognize people unless I got in their faces, and that would be very impolite.
So, I get that other people wear glasses. And I am glad that they do, since I do.
What I do not get is the women who get into the pool with full facial make up and earrings. We are supposed to take a shower to clean off before we get into the pool, and I get that. It helps the pool filter system to keep the pool clean.
I realize that most of the women who get into the pool with full facial make up have no intention of getting their faces wet, but something could happen. Or an earring could fall off and end up on the pool floor.
I just do not get this.
I wear my glasses in the pool. I have a cord designed to catch them, should they fall off my face. I wear them for several reasons: a) I would get a horrible headache if I was in the pool being active for an hour or so without them. b) it would be more difficult to read my routine card without my glasses. c) I would not recognize people unless I got in their faces, and that would be very impolite.
So, I get that other people wear glasses. And I am glad that they do, since I do.
What I do not get is the women who get into the pool with full facial make up and earrings. We are supposed to take a shower to clean off before we get into the pool, and I get that. It helps the pool filter system to keep the pool clean.
I realize that most of the women who get into the pool with full facial make up have no intention of getting their faces wet, but something could happen. Or an earring could fall off and end up on the pool floor.
I just do not get this.
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Habit
We are creatures of habit. One of my new habits is to do a physical therapy routine several times week at the Lifestyles Center pool. I have mentioned this before. I have had to miss due to electric storms. And, this past weekend, I had to miss due to health reasons.
It felt so strange, Sunday afternoon, not to adjust my Sunday schedule around a trip to the pool!
Today, I worked a full day, and went home and fed the cats. I was so eager to get to the pool, that although I did not rush feeding the cats, that chore was finished quickly and I was able to get to the pool earlier than I sometimes do!
It felt so good to do the exercise routine. Although I was tired today, and sometimes I am tired and hurting, the exercise routine seems to take all of that out of me. When I finished, I am refreshed and not hurting! What a blessing!
It felt so strange, Sunday afternoon, not to adjust my Sunday schedule around a trip to the pool!
Today, I worked a full day, and went home and fed the cats. I was so eager to get to the pool, that although I did not rush feeding the cats, that chore was finished quickly and I was able to get to the pool earlier than I sometimes do!
It felt so good to do the exercise routine. Although I was tired today, and sometimes I am tired and hurting, the exercise routine seems to take all of that out of me. When I finished, I am refreshed and not hurting! What a blessing!
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
I Think I am Addicted!
It was not a particularly bad day, but just a little frustrating. The biggest frustration is that I am in pain. I was not in pain until last Wednesday. Until then, I was taking Celebrex and doing the exercise regimen that I learned in physical therapy, including going to the Lifestyle Center http://www.covenanthealth.org/Our-Services/LifeStyle-Centre.aspx 2-3 times a week to do the pool exercise regimen that I started at physical therapy.
In August, my insurance company, United Health Care http://www.uhc.com notified me I was in the "step therapy" program, and I had to try medications other than Celebrex, as they would not cover the cost of Celebrex. I went to my doctor, got a prescription for meloxicam, which I started last week. The first day I took it, I could tell I was not getting the pain relief I was getting with Celebrex.
I waited a few days, and matters only got worse. I am very frustrated. I had worked hard to do physical therapy and follow up on my own to not lose the strides I had made at pain management. It was thrown into the trash by my insurance company.
I was also frustrated trying to communicate with my doctor's office. Rather than call me back as I requested, so we could discuss this, they just ordered a new prescription. The insurance tells me they did not request a pre-authorization. If I do not follow instructions from my doctor, they get upset, but they do not follow instructions from me. So, I got upset.
This is the kind of stuff, when I am in pain, that can set me to tears. It is manageable. It is fixable, it is not life-threatening. But it takes more time and energy than I think it should. If people did their jobs the way they are supposed to, this would not happen.
I understand the insurance dance. I do not always agree. In fact, I think managed care creates more costs to consumers than it manages costs.
I am a firm believer in "if it is not broke, so don't fix it." But it seems corporate America does not believe in that (Coca Cola http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Coke.) And, as we have learned, my insurance company is included in this.
Yesterday, a coworker reminded me that my muscle spasms may be due to low potassium. I think she was right: I had been eating bananas, but had not done so for about 10 days, until yesterday. Today, I woke up without the muscle spasms I had been having, but still had some of the other pain.
So, anyway, I went to the Lifestyle Center tonight after work. It was like magic. I got in the water, and it felt like my stressors and pain melted away. And they did. I did my regular routine (actually I have several variations of a regular routine) which takes a little more than an hour.
Although I still have some discomfort, it is greatly diminished tonight.
A colleague who has been going to water groups at the Lifestyle Center for some time told me she felt it was very relaxing and helpful as a de-stressor. I got it tonight. I was really looking forward to my time in the pool, and it was just so soothing and calming. I am hooked!
In August, my insurance company, United Health Care http://www.uhc.com notified me I was in the "step therapy" program, and I had to try medications other than Celebrex, as they would not cover the cost of Celebrex. I went to my doctor, got a prescription for meloxicam, which I started last week. The first day I took it, I could tell I was not getting the pain relief I was getting with Celebrex.
I waited a few days, and matters only got worse. I am very frustrated. I had worked hard to do physical therapy and follow up on my own to not lose the strides I had made at pain management. It was thrown into the trash by my insurance company.
I was also frustrated trying to communicate with my doctor's office. Rather than call me back as I requested, so we could discuss this, they just ordered a new prescription. The insurance tells me they did not request a pre-authorization. If I do not follow instructions from my doctor, they get upset, but they do not follow instructions from me. So, I got upset.
This is the kind of stuff, when I am in pain, that can set me to tears. It is manageable. It is fixable, it is not life-threatening. But it takes more time and energy than I think it should. If people did their jobs the way they are supposed to, this would not happen.
I understand the insurance dance. I do not always agree. In fact, I think managed care creates more costs to consumers than it manages costs.
I am a firm believer in "if it is not broke, so don't fix it." But it seems corporate America does not believe in that (Coca Cola http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Coke.) And, as we have learned, my insurance company is included in this.
Yesterday, a coworker reminded me that my muscle spasms may be due to low potassium. I think she was right: I had been eating bananas, but had not done so for about 10 days, until yesterday. Today, I woke up without the muscle spasms I had been having, but still had some of the other pain.
So, anyway, I went to the Lifestyle Center tonight after work. It was like magic. I got in the water, and it felt like my stressors and pain melted away. And they did. I did my regular routine (actually I have several variations of a regular routine) which takes a little more than an hour.
Although I still have some discomfort, it is greatly diminished tonight.
A colleague who has been going to water groups at the Lifestyle Center for some time told me she felt it was very relaxing and helpful as a de-stressor. I got it tonight. I was really looking forward to my time in the pool, and it was just so soothing and calming. I am hooked!
Friday, September 5, 2014
Is the Pool Open?
So, I have mentioned previously that I have joined the Lifestyle Center at Covenant Hospital http://www.covenanthealth.org/Our-Services/LifeStyle-Centre.aspx so that I can continue my physical therapy routine in the pool. When I joined, I read the signs that the pool was closed during inclement weather. I assumed this meant electric storms, but did not ask. It just made sense to me.
The middle of the week after I joined, there was an electric storm in the southeast part of Lubbock. I had wanted to go to the pool that night, but decided not to. My upbringing included stern warnings about activities during electric storms: No swimming, no golf, get inside, stay away from doors and windows, unplug electric appliances like TVs, stay away from sinks, stoves, and other appliances that can conduct electricity, no baths or showers.
A few nights later, it was a cloudy day, so I asked at the Lifestyles front desk about the definition of inclement weather. The woman at the front desk said rain is okay, but not thunder or lightning. That night, one of the other pool participants commented that while we needed the rain, if there is thunder or lightning, they will close the pool.
We are anticipating severe weather tonight, as moisture streams in from the southwest from the Pacific hurricane Norbert (although the hurricane itself is heading northwest.) This moisture comes from outlier bands of the hurricane. I left work early, but after I had put in my 40 hours, and went to the Lifestyle Center. No one was in the pool when I arrived. I asked at the desk, and was told that the pool was open, as they had not heard thunder nor seen lightning (confirmed my experience.)
As it turned out, by the time I got into the pool, there were other people in there. As my session wore on, some left and several others entered the pool. We discussed the weather. One woman told me she called to ask about the status of the pool, and was answered sarcastically. There was no need for that. I told her I asked when I arrived at the center, and was answered politely. Well, the person who was at the desk when I arrived was not the person she spoke to. That is too sad: people dealing with the public have an obligation to be polite. That may have been the hundredth call that person received about the pool status, but it was the first that person made.
So, as I was finishing my session, we saw raindrops. Not really rain, just raindrops. But, no thunder, no lightning, so the pool was not closed.
The middle of the week after I joined, there was an electric storm in the southeast part of Lubbock. I had wanted to go to the pool that night, but decided not to. My upbringing included stern warnings about activities during electric storms: No swimming, no golf, get inside, stay away from doors and windows, unplug electric appliances like TVs, stay away from sinks, stoves, and other appliances that can conduct electricity, no baths or showers.
A few nights later, it was a cloudy day, so I asked at the Lifestyles front desk about the definition of inclement weather. The woman at the front desk said rain is okay, but not thunder or lightning. That night, one of the other pool participants commented that while we needed the rain, if there is thunder or lightning, they will close the pool.
We are anticipating severe weather tonight, as moisture streams in from the southwest from the Pacific hurricane Norbert (although the hurricane itself is heading northwest.) This moisture comes from outlier bands of the hurricane. I left work early, but after I had put in my 40 hours, and went to the Lifestyle Center. No one was in the pool when I arrived. I asked at the desk, and was told that the pool was open, as they had not heard thunder nor seen lightning (confirmed my experience.)
As it turned out, by the time I got into the pool, there were other people in there. As my session wore on, some left and several others entered the pool. We discussed the weather. One woman told me she called to ask about the status of the pool, and was answered sarcastically. There was no need for that. I told her I asked when I arrived at the center, and was answered politely. Well, the person who was at the desk when I arrived was not the person she spoke to. That is too sad: people dealing with the public have an obligation to be polite. That may have been the hundredth call that person received about the pool status, but it was the first that person made.
So, as I was finishing my session, we saw raindrops. Not really rain, just raindrops. But, no thunder, no lightning, so the pool was not closed.
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
The Styrofoam Pool Noodle
I have continued to go to a pool to do physical therapy exercises. Some involve using a pool noodle. I am amazed at how buoyant a small piece of Styrofoam can make a body be. I was wondering today about the origin of the pool noodle: http://watercrunch.com/2012/08/pool_noodle/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pool_noodle. Whatever the origin, it is a marvelous invention.
Happy Noodling!
Happy Noodling!
Saturday, August 16, 2014
My First Day
So, I had my evaluation at the Covenant Life Style Center http://www.covenanthealth.org/Our-Services/LifeStyle-Centre.aspx yesterday. It was not worth $20 The trainer reviewed my record, took my picture for my ID card, and asked me some questions. Since I was very clear that I did not want to use the exercise equipment, or walking track, the trainer did not put me through any of that (bless him. He had a job to do, but he did not make me do something I did not want to do.)
I was surprised that they did not ask my to pay for my membership that day. They will bill me a pro-rated amount. The membership fee is assessed monthly, at the beginning of the month.
I had taken a tour before, but it did not include into the pool area, or woman's locker room. We went into the pool area, discussed the rules and resources, and he sent me into the woman's locker room.
They said my ID card would be ready for me the next time I went to the center, even if it was Saturday. So, when I showed up Saturday, the same desk clerk was there and remembered me by face but not name, and the trainer happened to be at the desk, and my ID card was there.
As you can imagine, I was a little uncertain about my plan and first day. But I set myself in a corner of the pool and was able to do my exercise program without interfering with anyone else.
I saw various styles: As I did, some others put their stuff on the edge of the pool. Others put their stuff on benches. The rules say we need to wear ID cards in the pool area. No one did. Some brought their ID cards in, but left it with their stuff. I wondered about that. I did wear my ID card at first, but when I got to the exercises that would put it under water, I took it off, and put it with my stuff pool side.
They have noodles and kick boards (or paddle boards) for exercise.
There were some lap swimmers. Some people were doing programmed exercises, some were doing random stuff.
The doors were opened to the outside.
Near the end of my routine, I started to get cold. They said the pool was heated, and it was, but not as warm as the therapy pool I was used to. I am wondering how this will work in the winter.
I talked to one lady about our pool experiences. I do not want to be snobbish, but I am not looking for a pool buddy.
A couple of my co-workers are interested in my experience. I will be glad to report to them.
I was surprised that they did not ask my to pay for my membership that day. They will bill me a pro-rated amount. The membership fee is assessed monthly, at the beginning of the month.
I had taken a tour before, but it did not include into the pool area, or woman's locker room. We went into the pool area, discussed the rules and resources, and he sent me into the woman's locker room.
They said my ID card would be ready for me the next time I went to the center, even if it was Saturday. So, when I showed up Saturday, the same desk clerk was there and remembered me by face but not name, and the trainer happened to be at the desk, and my ID card was there.
As you can imagine, I was a little uncertain about my plan and first day. But I set myself in a corner of the pool and was able to do my exercise program without interfering with anyone else.
I saw various styles: As I did, some others put their stuff on the edge of the pool. Others put their stuff on benches. The rules say we need to wear ID cards in the pool area. No one did. Some brought their ID cards in, but left it with their stuff. I wondered about that. I did wear my ID card at first, but when I got to the exercises that would put it under water, I took it off, and put it with my stuff pool side.
They have noodles and kick boards (or paddle boards) for exercise.
There were some lap swimmers. Some people were doing programmed exercises, some were doing random stuff.
The doors were opened to the outside.
Near the end of my routine, I started to get cold. They said the pool was heated, and it was, but not as warm as the therapy pool I was used to. I am wondering how this will work in the winter.
I talked to one lady about our pool experiences. I do not want to be snobbish, but I am not looking for a pool buddy.
A couple of my co-workers are interested in my experience. I will be glad to report to them.
Don't Ever Say Never
Last fall, I had to go to my primary care physician for the first time in many, many years, probably 5 or more. When they asked me about my other medical activities, I told them just my yearly physical with the gynecologist, who worked with my PCP to get an authorization for a colonoscopy some few years ago. The nurse practitioner said not to say anything, because I would jinx myself, and she was right.
I have been to the doctor more times total in the past year, than I have been in the last 37 that I have lived in Lubbock. Wow! It is an aging thing. It is like taking your car in for a tune up and the mechanic finds a plethora of other things wrong with the car. And, some of my doctor visits are to keep the insurance company happy, instead of letting my provider manage my care!
So, last June, when I was in New England for a family reunion, one of my nieces asked about opportunities to go to the beach in Lubbock. Of course, those are limited unless you travel some distance. She asked about pools, and I acknowledged there are public and private pools people can use, but I am not much for chlorinated pools.
Well, I came back to Lubbock and started physical therapy. The physical therapist decided to try something different than what we did the first time. We did pool therapy. It was amazing to me what a positive result I had from this exercise! So, when the insurance visits ended, I decided to join the Covenant Life Styles Center http://www.covenanthealth.org/Our-Services/LifeStyle-Centre.aspx.
So, although I do not really like a chlorinated (or brominated) pool, I am willing to use it if it helps my health, and keep me from needing surgery for my back/sciatica problem.
I have been to the doctor more times total in the past year, than I have been in the last 37 that I have lived in Lubbock. Wow! It is an aging thing. It is like taking your car in for a tune up and the mechanic finds a plethora of other things wrong with the car. And, some of my doctor visits are to keep the insurance company happy, instead of letting my provider manage my care!
So, last June, when I was in New England for a family reunion, one of my nieces asked about opportunities to go to the beach in Lubbock. Of course, those are limited unless you travel some distance. She asked about pools, and I acknowledged there are public and private pools people can use, but I am not much for chlorinated pools.
Well, I came back to Lubbock and started physical therapy. The physical therapist decided to try something different than what we did the first time. We did pool therapy. It was amazing to me what a positive result I had from this exercise! So, when the insurance visits ended, I decided to join the Covenant Life Styles Center http://www.covenanthealth.org/Our-Services/LifeStyle-Centre.aspx.
So, although I do not really like a chlorinated (or brominated) pool, I am willing to use it if it helps my health, and keep me from needing surgery for my back/sciatica problem.
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