Page 36 - September Sun Rays

FITNESS Group Fitness Tutorial

Meet Julie O’Connor, Aquatic Personal Trainer Monday, Sept. 14 at 9:45 a.m., CC

Julie has been leading group aquatic exercise classes, per- In the Group Fitness
forming swimming instruction and offering one-on-one Tutorial, Sun City
adapted aquatic programs since 1982. She has a passion Texas Fitness Director
for swimming and helping others. Michelle Mason will
Certifications: answer your questions
• Aquatic Exercise Association certified since 1992 about group fitness
• Ai Chi advanced certified classes. If you want
• Halliwick Certified Adapted Aquatic Instructor more information about the classes offered,
• Personal Aquatic Trainer (AEA) which class is right for you and how to get
• Advanced studies through Aquatic Therapy and Rehab Institute started, join us!
For an appointment with Julie, call 512-630-6203

Athlete of the Month

By Lynda Dufour

Water, water everywhere seems to have Nancy Wiedeman
an almost ethereal effect on 72-year-old
Nancy Wiedeman. Aquatic Personal Trainer: Julie O’Connor

“I met and married my Prince Charming “Aqua personal training entails much at Sun City, Julie has seen numerous
when I was 51,” she says, almost dreamily. more than swimming or a group exercise residents utilize the water’s buoyancy
“We sailed away the following year and class,” she explains. “By incorporating and resistance to improve fitness and
lived aboard our boat, Texas Reb, for 13 hydrodynamic principles, I am able to achieve maximum independence in spite
years, spending the majority of our time implement aquatic specific exercise of complicated medical issues. She says
in the Caribbean.” and proper use of equipment. Aquatic Nancy, a Houston native and former math
training provides a personal assessment teacher, is one of her most motivated
After two years in Panama City and of the client’s movement in the water. My clients.
another five years in Ajijic, Mexico, methods are often a hands-on approach to
the adventurous couple’s feet finally maximize proper mechanics. I can target “Nancy is outgoing and vivacious,” says
hit the dry land of Sun City Texas in muscles that need to be strengthened or Julie. “She’s always quick to share a smile
2013. This has been home ever since, stretched.” and has a gift of telling jokes to make
and Nancy – a former water volleyball others laugh. She is a beautiful lady inside
player, scuba diver and snow skier who Since becoming a personal aquatic trainer and out.”
enjoys acrylic painting, reading, and
bridge – has taken full advantage of the
aquatic amenities offered at the Texas
Drive Fitness Center. The soothing
sensation of the water continues to
make her joyful, and its gentle resistance
helps her combat the muscle weakness
and poor balance she experiences as a
result of post-polio syndrome. Recently
diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, she
began participating three times a week
in the Aqua for Balance group fitness
class led by personal aquatic trainer
Julie O’Connor. She has also signed on for
individual sessions with Julie to address
progressively worsening pain in her hip.

“When I first met Nancy, she was in a
wheelchair,” says Julie, noting that Nancy
is now able to walk independently with
more endurance and less discomfort.

34 | SUNRAYS SEPTEMBER 2015 ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG