I went to the 8:30am Deep-Water Fun and Fitness class today. It was more vigorous than the Hydro Power. We stretched again in the therapy pool. Afterwards, I went back into the deep end of the pool and dog paddled, back-stroked and side stroked back and forth over the short width of the pool for 20 minutes. I would occasionally try swimming (like freestyle but with my head above water) but didn't want to get my ears and eyes full of water so that didn't last long. Swimming may not build up your bones but it requires some strong cardiovascular effort.
Yesterday I mentioned that intensity was missing from my 4 mile a day walking exercise program. I read last night in a book called Exercises for Osteoporosis by Dianne Daniels that intensity is what helps to strengthen bones but duration is what keep our cardiovascular system healthy. She mentioned 1 hour of exercise a day as being the standard to aim for.
I bought a 3 month pass that allows me to swim or attend classes for 3 months. I've developed a real system of all the stuff I have to bring to change into afterwards so I don't freeze. I bring coconut oil to rub into my body after soaking all the moisture away from my skin in the pool. I had to get my photo taken for my ID - that was pretty scary.
There's two more water aerobics classes to try next week - Therapy Fun and Fitness and Supreme Water Workout.
I think that the full range of motion that I can attain with my foot in the water will help it to heal because it will bring better circulation to the area. My foot felt good last night after the class.