CAN'T STOP, WON'T STOP!
Our senior Lee Kim Huay enjoying her Low Impact Aerobics class
Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop!
Those living in the Tampines community would surely recognise LB senior Lee Kim Huay, 63, as an active person who is always on the go!
She loves brisk walking, cycling, exercising, and also joins the LB AAC @ Tampines 434’s Low Impact Aerobics classes every week.
“I never miss any opportunity to dance, especially this aerobics class every Friday! It brings me so much joy and I can just jump around, let loose, and have fun!” said Kim Huay.
She said one of her fond memories in her childhood was dancing with her brother while doing house chores, and immediately dial down the radio and stop dancing when her parents return home after work!
“Whenever I hear any upbeat music, I won’t hesitate to bust some moves no matter where I am or what I am doing.
Sometimes when I am doing house chores and the radio plays one of my favourite songs, I will move my body to the beat while continuing the chores,” she added.
Burning Passion for Dance
Kim Huay said that since childhood, her interest in dancing never outgrew her and became a constant in her life.
She said while she had this burning passion for dance, there was simply no avenue for her to attend dancing classes or join any dance groups as it was frowned upon not only during her childhood but also when she grew into adulthood.
“I also didn’t pursue it further and just buried the passion within me. Life got in the way as well, I started working, got married, raised a family and dancing was just something I’d do in private when no one is watching,” she reminisced.
She shared about her adulthood where she worked in factories that had her either standing or sitting throughout her shift. She craved for something different and believed that there was more to life than this.
“I hated those factory jobs. I wanted to be out and about, do things on my own time, and enjoy myself while earning. While I was happy with life as a wife and a mother, I had a nagging sense that something else was missing in my life,” she said.
Glimmer of Hope
One day, a breakthrough unexpectedly came into her life. Her elderly neighbour told her that she was looking to pass over her hustle of selling yoghurt drinks, to a suitable person as she wanted to retire. Intrigued, Kim Huay sat with her and found out that this was the opportunity that she was waiting for!
“I can still remember that day it happened, 22 years ago, when my life changed! From then onwards, I got to walk about the whole neighbourhood, meet people from all walks of life, and felt happy waking up every day for work!” she said.
Kim Huay did not know her happy and content life would transform, again, after two decades. The global COVID-19 pandemic forced her, among everyone else around the world, to stay at home.
“I was devastated! The whole Tampines neighbourhood was my oyster! To be trapped in my home after living like a free bird was an absolute buzzkill!” she exclaimed.
Adjusting to her newly confined life wasn’t easy, so Kim Huay started filling up her void with YouTube videos.
“Apart from watching funny videos, trending recipes, and the likes, I was looking for something that would help me to shake off my feelings of being dormant at home. So of course, upon discovering those dance-along videos, I actually started feeling better,” she said.
Exercising for Health
As the lockdown rules relaxed gradually, Kim Huay learned about the exciting physical activities organised by LB AAC @ Tampines 434 and joined as a member. These activities usually evolve according to the seniors’ requests, or the centre’s resources.
Among other activities, Kim Huay joined the Steel Combat Lite class in March 2023 which teaches seniors self-defence moves along with upbeat music.
It was later transformed into an aerobics class that more seniors were inclined towards.
“I didn’t hesitate to join the AAC as a member and their activities as they made my childhood dream come true. I finally got to dance my heart out with so many people!” cheered the elated Kim Huay.
She also shared that she lost more than 25kgs since she started her fitness journey about three years ago!
Despite her busy schedule, Kim Huay also manages to attend the AAC’s health talks, and other exciting activities during the weekend.
“I got excited seeing myself lose so much weight gradually over these years! While this dance class is only once a week, the AAC gave me inspiration to do more for my fitness. I started dancing at home watching YouTube dancing videos and prioritised working out to get my body in better shape,” she said.
Our senior Lee Kim Huay demonstrating her “body shaking exercise” that she does every morning
Keeping Up with Kim Huay
Kim Huay said she also added cycling to her fitness regime which starts at 4am, followed by some “body shaking exercise” which she believes would deter her limbs from becoming stiff as she ages.
“I never knew I would be so excited about fitness until that turning point in my life. I even track my daily footsteps. I clock in an average of 15,000 steps a day, sometimes 20,000 steps. What about you?” she questioned.
Looks like we have to follow her example and try to clock in some more steps in our daily life and start our fitness journey…
We hope that these stories would inspire you to reach out and touch the lives of others.
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