I’m very excited for this very first day of being a member of the Lovin’ Life Linky team where together every Thursday we (the LLL team of six and those of you who link up posts) will aim to spread the aging positively message! Huge thank you to Leanne of Deep Fried Fruit for opening up the linky to the new team (all listed at the end of this post).
There are a couple of things making me smile over recent days and they can be summarized by two words, each a different colour: Aqua and Purple.
AQUA
By following doctor’s orders I have rediscovered an activity which I used to enjoy in my 20’s but have not done since! It’s Aqua Aerobics! Oh but wait – there’s not just Aqua Aerobics anymore. There’s Deep Aqua, Shallow Aqua, Gentle Aqua, Aqua Zumba, and Water Running! I’m yet to try them all, but I will. If you follow me on Instagram and/or Facebook, you’d know I’ve had a few little health issues of late and have been seeing a specialist in the city. One of the problems I have had has been some fluid retention. What has caused this problem is yet to be officially determined but I suspect it relates to some mid-life hormonal shifts – *groan* – but better that than some of the more sinister possibilities mentioned to me which have now all thankfully been dismissed! Anyway, apparently Aqua Aerobics will be excellent in helping with this problem. My prescription was for a minimum of 3 times per week, but preferably every day! Ok then – gosh!! I do have a pool at home but it is too cold yet to get into it, so I’m trying for 3 days per week at proper classes (where there is a heated pool) and when it warms up I will try to do my own classes, with what I’ve learnt, in the pool at home as well. It really is an awesome form of exercise for the hot summer months here in Brisbane and it’s fun! I’m really enjoying myself at these classes and to think, if the doctor had not prescribed this, I would not have even considered a return to aqua aerobics!
PURPLE
I am absolutely loving all the Jacaranda trees in bloom across Brisbane at the moment. They have bloomed early this year! Usually, I associate the blooming of the Jacaranda trees with exam time in November. Every time I hop in the car and drive anywhere there they are, at least one on every street but mostly more. They are my most favourite tree. When they are in bloom they are just so beautiful and always, always a joy to behold. The beauty of them is uplifting and always makes me smile. I was going to take my own photo’s around my local area of the Jacaranda trees in bloom but I ran out of time, so here’s some free stock photos that show exactly how beautiful these trees are!
Done any aqua aerobics lately? Are the Jacaranda’s putting on a show for you where you live? What colour would describe what has made you smile lately?
Ciao for now,
Link up here or with another of us in the Lovin’ Life Linky team:
Leanne of Deep Fried Fruit, Johanna of Lifestyle Fifty, Lyndall of Seize the Day Project,
Kathy of 50 Shades of Age, and Deb of Debbish.
It doesn’t matter where you link up as it will magically appear on all six blogs.
30 Comments
I love aqua and purple! So much so that my Leanne Shea Langdown dot com website is aqua and purple. Gorgeous photos Min.
I didn’t know about your Leanne Shea Langdown dot com website! I just went and had a look and so it is – aqua and purple! Great taste! lol xo
I love Jacarandas too Min. I grew up in Grafton, the Jacaranda City, which hosts Australia’s longest running and oldest floral festival – The Jacaranda Festival (of course). The festival starts this Saturday and runs until November 6. It was always a fun time of year when we were kids with loads of festivities throughout the week, and EVERYTHING was purple… purple people, purple ice cream, purple hair, purple dogs… crazy but lots of fun. #TeamLlinky #LovingLifeLinky
Oh my gosh Lyndall that floral festival in Grafton sounds fabulous! I would really love to go there and experience it one day. Thanks for telling me about it! 🙂
I love the purple of Jacarandas. And Aqua is a favourite colour of mine too! The kids and I always disagree whether it’s more blue or more green, I guess we should just stick to calling it Aqua.
I think Aqua is more green. Turquoise is a similar colour but more blue (I use it here on the blog). My thoughts anyway! lol 🙂
The Jacarandas are glorious at the moment. We have one right next door in the neighbour’s front yard and I have been taking photos of it. As for Aqua Aerobics, I have participated in this activity a few times, but not for years. I’m more of a Pilates or Yoga girl. 🙂
I absolutely LOVE the Jacarandas – one of nature’s most fabulous gifts I believe! Aqua aerobics wouldn’t have been my exercise of choice (I like pilates and yoga too and also walking and gym!!) but since the doc insisted I do it, I’m doing it and actually quite enjoying it! It will be a nice option too for when it gets really hot here in Brizzy. I’m actually off to a class shortly! 🙂
Those Jacaranda trees are absolutely gorgeous aren’t they? And the aqua aerobics sounds like fun, I hope it helps your health issues 🙂
Yes those Jacaranda trees are divine! I love them so much! The aqua is fun and more challenging then I thought it might be which is great! 🙂
Do you go with a friend to aqua? I’ve never been but as we live literally around the corner from a pool offering classes, I’ve been thinking of going but would be going by myself. And I love this time of year – the jacarandas are so beautiful!
I go all by myself Janet! Most in the class are MUCH older ladies to me! They’re mostly lovely and friendly. It makes me feel very young! You’re most welcome to join me – just PM me. Yes I love this time of year for the Jacaranda trees! 🙂
Oh wow, those jacarandas – my absolute favourite tree. We used to live in South Africa and they were abundant in Pretoria, but also Cape Town where we lived. We nearly bought a house with a jacaranda tree right outside in Bunbury, SWA but missed out – I was devastated! They must be really early in Brisbane – none are flowering yet in Perth. We seem to be a month late with things this year. I think water aerobics would be a great and fun way to keep fit – I’ve never tried except on a holiday to Bali once which was great fun. Good luck and keep it up!
My absolute favourite tree too Jo – so beautiful aren’t they? I didn’t realise they were abundant in South Africa, but I suppose it would have a similar climate to here? Yes they are flowering early in Brisbane. They don’t usually flower till November. Shows how climate change is affecting things – it is warming up here very quickly. The aqua is a fun change to my exercise routine. I’m sure I’ll be very grateful for it once the horrid humid part of summer hits!! 🙂
I’ve been (I was?!) doing aqua aerobics at the gym I’d joined but have to admit I got a bit bored with classes. Unlike your options ours really only varied because of the instructor. And most of the participants are much older. That was great 4-5mths ago when I joined but I’m a teensy bit fitter so now would like to work a bit harder…. but because of the age of the participants (and social nature of the class – I think I’ve mentioned the chatting!) it’s a bit difficult to do so.
Oh yes I remember reading a post or two about your experience now Deb! I must admit there were two ladies in today’s class that would not stop talking and I did find that annoying. However, the classes are actually hard work! There are two levels. I do the harder level. Some of the older ladies do the easier level. I think that’s great how they cater to ability. I also go to gym and stuff so I’m getting a good variety of exercise. I’m yet to try all varieties of the Aqua offered – some of them will be harder then the classes I’ve done so far so I’m looking forward to that … I think! haha 😉
Omg your jacaranda photos are amazing. Love them. I am planning on joining the linky from next week. Xx
The Jacaranda photo’s are gorgeous Deb but they’re not mine! (free stock photo’s) Really looking forward to next week and having you join us! 🙂 xo
Because of my own health issues, I can not run at the moment, so I have made a splash back at the pool. While exhausting exercise, I do love being in the water. My jacaranda started flowering this week, the colour is so happy and bright!
Hope you get your health issues sorted Nicole! It’s a bit like me with my sore foot (Plantar Fasciitis) meaning I can’t do my usual morning walks for a while. You really get quite a workout in the pool, don’t you?!! Oh I’m envious of you having a Jacaranda tree. I’d love to have one! 🙂 xo
I’ve got a jacaranda tree right in my backyard! I’m constantly arguing with my husband about not chopping a single piece off (so I was rather annoyed when the neighbours didn’t even discuss it with us when they got someone in to chop off a couple of branches that were hanging in their yard) The only downside is all the bees we seem to have on the ground as the blossoms fall off (I’m allergic)
Sounds like you’ve got some neighbours similar to ours, except ours have chopped back stuff on OUR side of the fence!! The bees are a worry if you’re allergic but I still how fabulous to have all that beauty in your backyard! 🙂
I totally love the two colours mentioned and you are a clever writer bringing them both together here! Glad you like Aqua aerobics and I know it’s November around here when the jacarandas are in bloom because that also means Melbourne Cup, end of year exams and a general ‘race to the end of the year’. I hope your journey continues to go well in this health quest!!
Thanks Denyse. They’re two gorgeous colours aren’t they?! Aqua aerobics is a nice change for me, especially as I have to rest my foot (plantar fasciitis) and also as we come into the hot summer months! It’s usually November here when the Jacaranda’s bloom too! They’re early this year! 🙂
I love a bit of aqua aerobics but it has been quite a while since my last session. There used to be a class on while my son had swimming lessons and they had the music so loud no one could hear a thing! It seemed like my kind of class. LOL
That would have been convenient to do a class while your son had his swimming lesson! I know what you mean by the loud music too! lol I’ve actually been finding myself singing along while I do my aqua aerobics. It’s fun! 🙂
Min
I loved aqua aerobics! So gentle on my knees which were arthritic in my 20s!! I must look into it. I have been going to an exercise physiology class to try and shift some fluid issues that I have not working but I will keep on trying. Remember just because you are in a pool doesn’t mean you won’t dehyrdrate so make sure you drink lots!
Cat xoxo
Fancy having arthritic knees in your 20’s. Has it gone now? Sorry to hear you’ve got fluid issues too. It’s not fun is it? My specialist is adamant that the aqua aerobics or even just walking and/or running in water helps the issue hugely. I drink heaps when I get out of the pool. Can’t drink while I’m in there in case it makes me need to go to the loo! lol 🙂 xo
I love Jacaranda season! It reminds me that my wedding anniversary is coming up! 🙂
Oh Happy Anniversary Grace! Lovely time of year for a wedding! 🙂 xo