Physical fitness

[Sue U]

Who on this board is on a personal physical fitness program? What are your goals, what are you doing, and what kind of success (if any) have you had?

(Asking for a friend. )

[Guinevere]

The best thing you could do for yourself is hire a personal trainer to work with you once or twice a week. You can explore what you like, what you don't, what makes you feel better, and what doesn't. Plus having someone crack the whip is always useful.

[MajGenl.Meade]

I'm on a personal fatness programme. My goal is to achieve one-ness with the universe by indenting couches. It's just swell!

Hope this helps!

[Guinevere]

My swede likes to add the advanced version of this workout into his mix (he also runs, bikes, skis, swims, and is a crossfit guy - its exhausting). This is a pretty decent, quick, heart rate raising full-body drill: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/0 ... kout/?_r=0

[Sue U]

I do an hour (okay, 54 minutes) of cardio 4 days a week -- sometimes 5 -- jogging on a treadmill, which I like because it gives me an opportunity to listen to music uninterrupted. My stamina has increased nicely, but with the amount of calories I'm allegedly burning, I would expect to see greater results in weight loss. (After the docs killed off most of my thyroid 18 months ago I put on like 20 lbs, which I'm trying desperately to get off.) Just looking for what might help.

[Guinevere]

Weight/strength training. If you build more muscle (change your body composition) you will burn more calories.

[kristina]

The last time I got serious about getting fit was nearly 20 years ago

I was creeping up on my 40th birthday, and the Spousal Unit said he would take me skiing for a week to celebrate. I bought a used Nordic Trak, and spent 20-30 minutes on it every day after work (while watching the evening news). Then I spent about 20 minutes (IIRC) with weights (hand weights, ankle weights). Never felt better!

I think I used a book called "Strength Training for Women". I just checked Amazon, and the only thing I see with that title was published in '04 (which is more than a couple of years after my 40th b-day...). I'm pretty sure I still have my copy and will check tonight when I get home.

[Gob]

We both hit the gym still 3 -5 times a week. I walk the dogs for an hour every day.

[Big RR]

I usually bike for an hour (over hilly terrain) 2-3 times a week until the snow hits. During ski season I usually do some strength training combined with a lot of stretching 4-5 times a week.

[oldr_n_wsr]

I sit a lot and like to lay back in my recliner.
When the good weather comes, I'll be laying in my hammock.

[Joe Guy]

...
When the good weather comes, I'll be laying in my hammock.

I hope you aren't the one who has to set it up first. That might be a little too strenuous for a man of your age... uh.... maturity.

[Daisy]

I walk the dogs every day. However, the vigorousness and length of the walk depends on how my RA is behaving. This week it's been ok so we've had some good long ones.

Any other regular scheduled exercise is off the cards, I swim when I can though.

I don't normally moan about my condition, it is what it is, I do what I can around flare ups.

[BoSoxGal]

I think I used a book called "Strength Training for Women". I just checked Amazon, and the only thing I see with that title was published in '04 (which is more than a couple of years after my 40th b-day...). I'm pretty sure I still have my copy and will check tonight when I get home.

I think I have that book, too - with all the great anatomical pictures showing muscle groups, etc.?

I've just started a new fitness regimen - lots of walks with dogs and body weight exercises + some other weight training, too.

[oldr_n_wsr]

...
When the good weather comes, I'll be laying in my hammock.

I hope you aren't the one who has to set it up first. That might be a little too strenuous for a man of your age... uh.... maturity.

It' a tough one that hammock.
Drag the whole thing (hammock and frame already together) out of the shed.
I'm thinking of putting some big wheels on it so I don't have to drag it.
Of course the son is coming home this weekend, so maybe I'll get him to do it.

[kristina]

Does pulling weeds count? I've been doing that a lot lately. I've also been chasing off the dozens of feral cats that hang around outside my cottage. One of them got close enough to scratch me this afternoon. And promptly did exactly that. I'm not feeding them, but my neighbor is. Sigh.

I get my weight training at work, helping customers get furniture out of their cars and in to the shop...


ETA: Here's a link to the book. Looks like it's out of print, copyright 1995.

[oldr_n_wsr]

Had a cesspool malfunction this weekend and had to dig a couple of holes to get to the covers of the cesspool and overflow so they could be pumped out. Of course I could have let the cessspool company do it, but I did it while I was wating for them to show up. At leatst the guy said "thank you".
Now I have to go get some grass seed.
Wonder if they deliver?

[Big RR]

Well hopefully the cesspool overflow provided the fertilizer.

[oldr_n_wsr]

Well hopefully the cesspool overflow provided the fertilizer.

People poop is not good fertilizer.

[dgs49]

(1) weight training. There are dozens of protocols out there, and you should switch at least once every three months. If you don't exercise to failure on your last set, you are wasting your time. 20 minutes is plenty. Free weights, machines, or body weight should all be considered. Muscles should have at least 48 hours to recover from strenuous exercise

(2) stretching is great, especially after exercise.

(3) the classic concept of "aerobic exercise" is so wrong - headed it is dangerous. 20 minutes or more on a treadmill at a constant level of exertion is of minimal value - none when you consider joint deterioration. 4-6 intervals at progressive levels of exertion are the best thing you can do for your heart and lungs, and can be accomplished in 10-12 minutes.

You cannot lose weight by exercise, but exercise helps, and eliminates plateaus.

Never believe anything you hear or read in a fitness commercial.

[oldr_n_wsr]

My treadmill is dressed better than I am.