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FITNESS Fitness Center Happenings

Julie O’Connor FREE equipment demonstration

Aquatic Personal Trainer Join us for an inside look at a piece of fitness equipment,
Julie has been leading group aquatic including proper set-up and how to use it most effectively.
exercise classes, performing swimming Texas Drive Oct. 12 | Shoulder Press
instruction and offering one-on-one Cowan Creek Oct. 26 | Shoulder Press
adapted aquatic programs since 1982.
Certifications: Personal training tutorial
– Aquatic Exercise Association certified since 1992
– Ai Chi advanced certified Monday, Oct. 10, 9 a.m. CC
– Halliwick Certified Adapted Aquatic Instructor
– Personal Aquatic Trainer (AEA) Sun City Texas Personal Training Coordinator John
– Advanced studies, Aquatic Therapy and Rehab Institute Rutan will answer your questions about personal training.
For an appointment with Julie, call 512-630-6203
Group fitness tutorial

Monday, Oct. 10, 9:45 a.m. CC

Sun City Texas Group Fitness Coordinator Beth White
will answer your questions about group fitness classes.

Athlete of the Month By Lynda Dufour
The Multiple Sclerosis Society de-
scribes MS as a disabling disease
of the central nervous system that
disrupts the flow of information within
the brain, and between the brain and the
body. Its cause is not fully known, but its
numerous and unpredictable symptoms can
include fatigue, muscle weakness and walk-
ing difficulties. Worldwide, it afflicts some
2.3 million individuals, mostly women.

Barbara Stricklin is one of them. The first
thing you notice about her, however, isn’t
her unsteady gait or her walker. It’s her
smile. At 68, the Sun City resident is in-
herently happy, fiercely independent and
amazingly active. On Mondays, Wednes-
days and Fridays, she’s often one of several
early arrivals to the 10:30 a.m. Sit-n-Fit
group fitness class at Texas Drive. They
gather at the table in the Fitness Center
lobby to socialize before the popular hour-
long class begins.

She’s attended Sit-n-Fit regularly for the Barbara Stricklin • Aquatic Personal Trainer: Julie O’Connor
past six years and says the class has helped
strengthen and tone her limbs as well as progressively worse, she’s convinced that off for a year. “She first came to me with
provide valuable social interaction. But the the aquatic personal training she receives concerns of improving her balance, mobil-
“cherry on the top” of her physical fitness from Julie, combined with her Sit-n-Fit ity and gait, and to strengthen her right
regimen, she claims, is the time she spends classes, has helped slow the progression leg – all of which are affected by Multiple
in the pool with Sun City Texas Aquatic considerably. The mother of two daughters, Sclerosis. With MS, sensitivity to overheat-
Personal Trainer Julie O’Connor. “I can Barbara also has five grandchildren, two ing is always a concern, so the indoor pool
walk without a walker in the water and of whom live in Round Rock. She is active provides a great environment to protect her
I don’t have to worry about falling. It’s so in her church, The Worship Place, and she body from overexertion,” she adds. “Aquatic
much easier,” she says. “The water just enjoys reading, playing Bunko with friends personal training can benefit people with
makes me feel free.” and going to the movies. MS by improving their flexibility and mo-
bility. The water’s gentle buoyancy helps
Barbara, a former teacher who moved to “Barbara is self-motivated and an advocate muscles relax, giving their limbs a greater
Sun City seven years ago from Oklahoma, of her own health and wellness,” says Ju- range of motion.”
has struggled with Multiple Sclerosis for lie, who has worked with Barbara on and
some 20 years. While her MS has gotten

32 | SUNRAYS OCTOBER 2016 ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG