St. George Village

Getting Fit, Staying Active Can Improve Your Quality of Life

St. George Village resident Laureen Johnson can attest to the fact that its never too late to improve your quality of life with physical activity.

When she moved to St. George last March, Laureen had been suffering from the debilitating nerve pain caused by sciatica for two years.

There were times when the pain was so bad, I almost couldnt get out of bed in the morning. And I was having a lot of trouble taking care of my house and yard after my husband died, she said. Even after moving to St. George, I needed my meals delivered to my apartment for a while.

Laureen kept thinking about her doctors continued suggestion that aqua exercise might help improve her mobility. He knew that water workouts can be adapted to fit anyones needs, regardless of age and activity level, and that water exercise can do the following:

-Build endurance
-Increase flexibility
-Relieve stress and decrease anxiety
-Increase metabolism (and thereby burn more calories)
-Reduce blood pressure

It took a little time, but a few months after getting settled into her new community, Laureen decided to try out the indoor pool and hot tub at St. George.
Thats when my sciatica went away! she said.

Now, Laureen makes good use of the pool five to six days a week. She does water walking, works out with water weights, and participates in water aerobics classes. Also, she says that the hot tub with its water jets has been great therapy for sore muscles.

Just two months after she began exercising in the water, Laureen was able to discontinue the pain medication shed been prescribed for sciatica.

Getting into the pool was the answer for me, she said. I havent had any problems with sciatica since.

With her mobility restored, Laureen is no longer limited to spending time in her apartment and feels she has a new lease on life. She enjoys spending time with her best friend and all the new friends that she has made at St. George. She also loves spending time with her daughter and grandchildren who live nearby in east Cobb and are frequent visitors.

In addition to making good use of the pool, Laureen particularly relishes growing vegetables in her raised garden bed, which she then shares with her neighbors. Last summer, she pickled 22 pints of cucumbers.

I had a garden at my home before I moved here, and I missed it. Theres nothing like a tomato fresh from the garden, she said. Gardening is only one of the many things I can do now that I can be active again.

At St. George Village, part of our mission as a Life Plan community is to encourage and provide opportunities for our residents to pursue a healthy, independent lifestyle. Water exercise is only one of the many activities we offer! From fitness classes and planned travel to educational workshops and volunteer projects, there is always something new, exciting, and fun to do with neighbors who share your interests.

Come see how a retirement lifestyle of active engagement can be yours at St. George Village. Call Stacy Anthony at 678-987-0402 for more information. Find more details about our community, lifestyle, and residents online at StGeorgeVillage.org, and on Facebook and Pinterest.

St. George Village

11350 Woodstock Road
Roswell, Georgia 30075
770-645-2340
or toll free
866-826-3400
StGeorgeVillage.org