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Although I have a couple more years before I retire I plan to remain active especially with high health care costs. I have always been active whether it be at the gym, lifting and cardio, basketball, bike riding, hiking or just plain walking. Not only is it investing in your health but its alot of fun and it reaps other benefits as well. Such as more energy and a better mood. Its amazing when I see some of these people in their 70's taking brisk walks on a daily basis. If I had to give a senior couple some advice I would say walking would be a good start. Start slowly and gradually build your time and/or distance..if you cant remain at the current pace but be consistent making it a regular ritual. Eat smart, especially food to give you more energy and generally make your body operate more efficiently. No Junk. No one is perfect but if you apply these principals 75 to 100 percent of the time you're doing good. Also stretching is vital make that part of the routine..very important.
Mine is simple. Join Weight Watchers. I'm a lifetime member - I've lost 50 pounds with them years ago - I regained it because of a knee injury (which limited my exercise activity). Years later, the alarm bells went off when 40 pounds overweight was just too much.... but I wanted to do it differently this time - because I'm older (57) and don't want to kill myself exercising.
I have lost 25 of those 40 pounds since last April. It came off VERY slowly...but that's the best way. And yes, I do NOT kill myself (or my knees) exercising. I also have a golden retriever - who is my personal trainer. My spouse and I made a commitment to him to walk him daily. We alternate days. So I alternate my 30 minute walks with 30 minutes on the ellyptical and the recumbent bike at my county rec center. I commit to 30 minutes of SOMETHING each day. I DO NOT push the workout to exhaustion. I wear a pulse monitor - and keep my pulse within the target for training.
And more importantly, I have wonderful support. It's the Weight Watchers who go to meetings and exchange information and recipes and ideas - and support - who are successful. My meetings are filled with senior couples, middle aged and young people as well. We are all in the same boat.
I have a family history of diabetes, neuropathy and stroke. I just don't want to jump into the deep end of that family gene pool.
We are continuing on the treadmills 3 times a week and progressing to 3/4 mile. The treadmill is more tiring for my wife during the week cause of her full-time job, but she does it with me everytime. I do love this lady!! When it warms up more, and stays light longer (after she gets off of work), we will get back to walking outside. Also waiting for it to warm up to get the old boat on the water.......now, hooking up, launching, retrieving and unhooking a 20 foot boat from a trailer can definitely be some exercise. Trying to watch what we eat, but THAT is the most difficult thing to do!
We are continuing on the treadmills 3 times a week and progressing to 3/4 mile. The treadmill is more tiring for my wife during the week cause of her full-time job, but she does it with me everytime. I do love this lady!! When it warms up more, and stays light longer (after she gets off of work), we will get back to walking outside. Also waiting for it to warm up to get the old boat on the water.......now, hooking up, launching, retrieving and unhooking a 20 foot boat from a trailer can definitely be some exercise. Trying to watch what we eat, but THAT is the most difficult thing to do!
I hear ya. I intend to enjoy retirement and having carrot and celery sticks doesnt sound too appealing to me. Right now I practice moderation with an emphasis on healthy as well. Making better choices such as red wine vs beer etc. Once retired when I have more time I plan to take a cooking class that specializes in healthy delicious cooking. Cooking could turn into a hobby of sorts. This is not to say that I wont enjoy the occasional pizza or steak, but in moderation the way it is now. Working a ratio of healthy vs moderation will be the challenge and the goal.
We are continuing on the treadmills 3 times a week and progressing to 3/4 mile. The treadmill is more tiring for my wife during the week cause of her full-time job, but she does it with me everytime. I do love this lady!! When it warms up more, and stays light longer (after she gets off of work), we will get back to walking outside. Also waiting for it to warm up to get the old boat on the water.......now, hooking up, launching, retrieving and unhooking a 20 foot boat from a trailer can definitely be some exercise. Trying to watch what we eat, but THAT is the most difficult thing to do!
Sure, most people will agree that exercising out of doors is more enjoyable than treadmills, but as you point out, treadmills have their place when extremes of weather or other factors would keep us from exercising at all.
I am curious about your 3/4 of a mile. Is that jogging or walking? How much time does it take you to go 3/4 of a mile? Exercise time is probably more important than distance covered, and you should aim for being able to walk for at least 30 minutes at a relatively brisk pace. Here is one beauty of a treadmill: we can track our progress rather precisely. If we are walking at 3.0 mph this week, and we increase it to 3.1 mph next week, that is progress. If we walk 3/4 of a mile during each session this week, and two weeks later we have increased to a mile, that is progress. Progress is what's important - and slow and steady progress is the best. National guidelines for exercise (U.S. Surgeon General, American College of Sports Medicine, American Heart Association, etc.) suggest that you should try to increase your distance beyond 3/4 of a mile. I do not mean this to be critical; on the contrary, you are a shining example of what everybody should be doing - exercising regularly. Keep it up and I wish you every success!
Thank you so much for the nice/kind remark!!
Due to my hip replacement, I don't jog......just walk, but somewhat of a brisk walk at 2.8 mph (treadmill meter) and 3/4 is 20 min. or so. Wife can not jog either.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Escort Rider
Sure, most people will agree that exercising out of doors is more enjoyable than treadmills, but as you point out, treadmills have their place when extremes of weather or other factors would keep us from exercising at all.
I am curious about your 3/4 of a mile. Is that jogging or walking? How much time does it take you to go 3/4 of a mile? Exercise time is probably more important than distance covered, and you should aim for being able to walk for at least 30 minutes at a relatively brisk pace. Here is one beauty of a treadmill: we can track our progress rather precisely. If we are walking at 3.0 mph this week, and we increase it to 3.1 mph next week, that is progress. If we walk 3/4 of a mile during each session this week, and two weeks later we have increased to a mile, that is progress. Progress is what's important - and slow and steady progress is the best. National guidelines for exercise (U.S. Surgeon General, American College of Sports Medicine, American Heart Association, etc.) suggest that you should try to increase your distance beyond 3/4 of a mile. I do not mean this to be critical; on the contrary, you are a shining example of what everybody should be doing - exercising regularly. Keep it up and I wish you every success!
Having a knee problem myself and many of my friends have joint problems, we do water aerobics and a bit of walking water takes the pressure off your joints.
We get into our apt complex pool often during the summer months......feels so, so good. Going to check with wife about membership into local YMCA, but finances might not call for it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cushla
Having a knee problem myself and many of my friends have joint problems, we do water aerobics and a bit of walking water takes the pressure off your joints.
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Treadmills
