Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I started in again with the hand weights, and found out picking up with my old routine was easier. But I also started using the cardio machines, the ones that you move yourself. I use every one of them and push hard. I feel so much better than in the Spring before I restarted a fitness routine.
I too discovered that I returned to previous levels with the hand weights quicker than I did with the cardio, although I didn't include that in my original post. So glad you brought up the weight workouts, which are extremely important for us older folks.
Thanks for the encouragement. "Slow" is a relative word, so it depends on one's perspective. It's quite true that a ten minute mile (6.0 mph) is faster than an extremely slow jog. Three or four years ago I could do a nine minute mile.
Once I made the mistake of googling "U.S. masters track records for one mile", which are amazing. No, I didn't and do not expect to come anywhere close to matching them, but I was orders of magnitude off the mark.
LOL I'm one of those people who slips "for a day" and then ends up not doing anything for weeks. And then regretting it. So I'm a big fan of doing a circuit every day. I need that daily habit or the slips start happening.
The way I see it, the thing to do is make that circuit first thing in the morning, so that it becomes part of getting going every day. Like taking a shower, having a cup of coffee, reading the paper, checking the internet, etc. Doesn't really matter what your circuit is, whether you stroll around the block or run a mile or two. Just get moving first thing in the morning and voila you'll have a routine and you'll keep it up because you won't feel right if you skip it.
Take the camera with you. Looking for a daily photo makes it more entertaining.
If you're having trouble getting into the habit, I found it helped a great deal to start a daily journal and share it (the point being that when you feel like slipping you're accountable to someone else, not just yourself.) Or get an exercise partner, for the same reason. But I find the daily posting more helpful, since partners have a way of flaking on you.
Once you get into the habit of doing a circuit, it won't even feel like exercise anymore. So during the rest of the day, you might want to do something else. Try kayaking or cycling every once in awhile. It's an entertaining way to while away a few hours, plus you need to exercise the upper body, too. Or learn tai chi, that's something you can do at home while something else is going on (like when the grandkids are over and watching football).
I'm not convinced that people age 65–70+ need terribly vigorous exercise. People in Africa, China, the Himalayas, etc live to a very ripe old age and do not run, jog and go to a gym. They keep their arteries and brains free from plaque by continuing their indigenous diets and do gentle exercise routines that are part of their culture (tai chi and its equivalent). They are not overweight to begin with. They take life in the slow lane as they age and know how to minimize stress. They are also an integral part of their families, in general, and living in more natural environments.
I'm not saying we shouldn't stay active. For many elders, brisk outdoor walking in all seasons for a half hour every day may be enough (I didn't make this up, I've read it from some "experts"). Consuming fresh air in the lungs MAY be better than going to a closed space like a gym. Feeling part of nature in the great outdoors on a regular basis does wonders for de-stressing and getting the limbs moving. Add a few weight routines or yoga at home and that, depending on the quality of diet, may be all many of us need. Again, I am not debunking the idea of vigorous exercise for those who benefit from it. It just may not be necessary for everyone.
Some time back I heard an author, on radio, talk about her book, The First 20 Minutes. Was an excellent interview and I never forgot it -- but I didn't do anything about it either. Fast forward a few months, and my new doctor is talking to me about the book.
The very basic premise is this: Short spurts of exercise throughout the day is better than one long exercise period. Do 15-20 minutes of ANY exercise -- including just walking -- 3 times a day, just 5-6 days week, and be A LOT healthier.
So I just started doing just one 15-minute interval walk a day. But just that alone gives me more energy (for at least a good while afterwards) and uplifts my mood. I'm starting to see myself easily doing a 15-minute walk three times a day.
Also, btw, I just bought 5-lb free weights and a resistance band to use at home. And you just reminded me that I've been meaning to look into a 3x a week Tai Chi class.
For those of you who are disabled and unable to move about, look on the Internet. There are good videos showing exercises for chair sitting.
While I really admire people who do a lot more (Escort Rider), I can't see myself ever doing that. I'm not a runner, I'll never get back on a bike, and I'll never get in a pool. And there are a lot of others 'out there' like me. We need to know -- to be encouraged -- that just a little exercise 3 times a day -- just 5-6 days a week -- greatly improves our health.
I don't specifically exercise. I do take a walk every morning to the end of my driveway and back ( I have a rather long driveway as house is towards back of property). And I'm outside doing something every day when it's not raining.
Today is mowing day (about 6 hours) and will be out there when the dew dries off.
Spent the last 2 days trimming shrubs and hacking away at some stumps that have rotted off.
Lining up my winter projects as well (don't go near the tank in the summer due to snakes).
If I lived in an apt or small lot home though I could see the need to do something to keep active but for now my lifestyle does it for me.
I must admit that I am very low on the self discipline scale. In fact I've reached expert level on putting things off. But cognitively I know that, as full-time caregiver to my husband who has advanced Parkinson's, I MUST exercise to maintain my own health and sanity.
So what I do is make an appointment with myself to go to the Y and do an exercise class that meets at a specific time. I write it on my calendar -- I treat it the same as, say, a doctor's appointment. I get the necessary clothes ready the night before. I don't set other appointments that would conflict with the exercise appointment. And so I go.
I must add that an additional spur to me is that I have hired a caregiver to come in and take care of my husband while I'm out exercising, so I can't really stay home once she's arrived ... after all, I'm already paying for her to be here, so I might as well go exercise, right?
To in_newengland: PLEASE go back to the Y! You'll be glad you did.
Thank you, bayarea4, I've got my swimming bag ready by the door and am picturing myself in that beautiful warm pool. (I have to get over this cold first but I'm rarin' to go.)
There are a million excuses--I don't want to get my hair wet, I hate changing my clothes, I really should get the grocery shopping done.....but even the aerobic pool exercise makes you feel better and just a bit stronger. You can move freely in the water and really stretch your muscles so it's a little bit like yoga. The styrofoam dumbells and other objects that you can use make it fun and help you to gain some strength. And all of us, as we float in that warm water, joke about how we could stay here all day. For me it's going to be the pool and walking doggie.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
just sayin'
15-minute interval walk a day. But just that alone gives me more energy (for at least a good while afterwards) and uplifts my mood. I'm starting to see myself easily doing a 15-minute walk three times a day.
