Last week I read that it's important keep active and fit, as exercise reduces the risk of depression by helping to maintain a healthy brain. I've been practicing qi gong for years, that sometimes I mix with yoga or tai chi. I don't know if it has helped my brain, but what I do know is that it has helped me a lot to relieve shoulder and back pain. What do you do to keep fit? Do you follow an exercise routine?
I haven’t done any exercise for a while for a number of reasons but when I did, I did Aqua Zumba or Aqua Aerobics once or twice a week as it was easier on my joints and I enjoyed it.
Since 2011 I've been taking long walks or hikes with a friend every Saturday morning. Last summer, another friend moved close enough so we meet for walks every Sunday morning too. Since 2014, I've had a daily walking habit. Before I started working at my current job (which began in August 2021 and is full time) on weekday mornings I would also walk a mile or a few from my house. But my current job makes it hard to fit in exercise if I don't want to walk in cold and darkness so in October I joined a gym, Planet Fitness. Anyway, I had been thinking I should be doing some weight bearing exercise since I'm over 50 now; fight that natural muscle loss. So I walk a half hour on the treadmill -- which I came to realize is, in some ways, more of a workout than my slower paced several mile walks, and that is good because I fit the gym into an hour before work every morning -- and then I lift some weights. Also, for many years, I've been of the active mindset. We have many opportunities to move throughout the day and really, even if we have a vigorous workout but then sit all the rest of the day, that isn't good. So I do things like choose stairs, park farther away from the store, feel content with having to run upstairs in my house for small reasons, . . . chores are exercise . . . etc. I'm happy my job has me moving around a lot too. I work in 5 different classrooms and I'm on my feet walking around a lot of the time. I walk briskly through the halls usually too. Almost forgot to say, last year I began doing yoga with the help of YouTube videos. Just barely so far, but I'm so impressed with how it feels, I'm trying hard to fit it in. I definitely feel better mentally as well as physically because of my exercise. When I take a couple of days off from it, I just don't feel as well. I also think it's important to get outside; the fresh air and sunshine are important factors too. Another thing I've read (in multiple places but most well supported in Dr. Greger's book How Not To Die) is that doing things differently is important for brain health too. It builds new neural pathways. He specifically mentions the way hiking trails have roots and rocks to navigate. And also trying out new activities and taking different routes. I walk in many different places around my town, the vicinity, and beyond. This Saturday, my friend and I are driving a half hour to Colonial Beach for our walk. Enjoy!
I set a weekly goal for how many times I am going to work out. For the month of January, my aim is to work out at least 5 of 7 days per week. My new pup Obi needs a lot of exercise. At least 3 - 4 times a week we go on 2.5 - 4.6 mile walks (with really nice uphill inclines). Per week, we are getting about 10 miles in. I try to get in one mobility routine once a week and one additional full body workout per week. The mobility and full body workouts tend to be 30 - 45 mins. The best thing about this regime is the combination of goal setting + flexibility. If it rains and I cannot walk with Obi - no big deal - do a mobility routine. If something comes up and I cannot get a workout in - no big deal...just get it in on another day. As long as I'm hitting the 5 out of 7 days I'm happy. By the end of January I will have worked out at least 22 out of 31 days. At the start of each week I review my fitness app and record my progress in my bullet journal. This helps me hold myself accountable and identify any barriers. If I don't meet the previous weeks goals, I can change up a goal to 6 out of 7 days. This week Obi and I are going to increase our milage. Wish us luck!
My goal is always to work out 3 times a week. I have a work out buddy which helps a ton in getting me to go on the days I'd rather skip. Lol. Over the summer we got really bad about skipping workouts and were only going 2 times a week, but we both decided we need to get back to 3 times a week again. We do elliptical, ab stuff on the carpet and then weights alternating between arm and leg day. Even if the work out part isn't always fun, it sure it good to chat with a friend while doing the work out to make it go faster!
I quit the gym a while back and switched to doing videos by HASFIT online. It is a cute husband and wife team and the videos are everything from cardio and strength training to mobility. They have vids for people just starting, people who are super fit and everything in between. And they are all free on you tube. I like that the videos are just them in a gym working out and talking to you so there isn’t music or ridiculous commentary to get sick of. Highly recommend! I work out about 5 days/week using one of the monthly HASFIT programs that is a mix of cardio, strength and mobility. I want to stay as physically and mentally healthy as I can as I get older (56 now) and exercise is such a big part of that.
thank you so much for the recommendation! just looked it up and it looks fab! i will start working out later in the month. i just don't want to overwhelm me with new years resolutions.
I am such a HASFIT groupie, it makes me happy when I can recruit others. I use their app which has the programs built in and lets you easily cast to your tv. There is a small fee for that (like $5 per month) but all of the same videos are available free on YouTube. It’s just easier for me to go to the app everyday and have it tell me what the workout is for that day rather than having to figure it out every day.
I do Pilates twice a week, a group class and a solo one on the reformer. I try and walk 6000 at least on the other days.
yes, i see the benefit in that. for myself it's better to choose my own class, since i have so many things to consider every day. my workout space is where i scrap with my two big screens, so i will do fine with youtube for now but will consider the membership for later. first let's see how i fare with the workouts
I've never tried qi gong or tai chi but I do like yoga. My husband and I lift weights four days a week and do 30 minutes of cardio (elliptical or treadmill) five days a week. Sometimes we throw in ab day or yoga day. I've never liked lifting weights but I know it's good for us. I'd rather play basketball for my cardio but the women I played with in the past stopped playing regularly so elliptical it is.
I go to CrossFit 5-6 x a week. I love it! I have a great group of friends who are super encouraging and great coaches. I used to be a long distance runner, but switched to CrossFit 11 years ago and haven't looked back!
I'm pretty sedentary, but when the weather is decent (dry, over 60°) I like to walk. I occasionally do the yes2next walking videos with April (50s) and her mom. They are free on You Tube.
Ditto! Well, except for the videos. I do have some Walk At Home DVD's (Leslie Sansone) that I used years ago when I was working up to 5K. I should pull them out during colder months. Spring, summer and fall, it's walking the dog that gets me out.
I walk the dog.. but otherwise I am not too athletic. In the summer I do swim laps in my parents pool if that counts. But I am kinda lazy blob. I like to blob
I walk. And I like to do Les Mills Body Combat. It makes me feel strong! And like I could at least make a bad guy think twice before kidnapping me. Lol! I used to go with my friend to the gym in Vegas two/three times a week for Combat, and then two or three for Body Flow which is like Yoga. But, then Covid and I moved. I picked it up in September online, but I got out of the habit when I fell in November and twisted both my ankles. And then excuses and busyness in December. I got a workout in on Wed, and scheduled the next for Friday. I want to do it today, but if I do, I'll be too sore and excuses again. So, I'm making myself patiently wait. Next week, I'm going to add in Body Pump, which is weights. I just have to clean the basement since Legos drifted into the weight workout space. I subscribed to the online Les Mills because there's no gym near me that does the classes.
I used to be an avid runner but I've given it up. I don't know if it's age or what but it just makes my body ache & I don't enjoy it like I used to. I've since started lifting weights. I go to the gym 2x a week with some friends & then 2 other days I do Caroline Girvin workouts on youtube. I've done 3 of her series so far and I love them. On the days I don't lift weights I walk on the treadmill. It's been a good mix.
I've read the same about neuronal pathways, so I'm trying to increase or at least keep my routine exercise, thank you so much for sharing this important information. Have a wonderful weekend and Saturday, enjoy your walk my dear
Really interesting information, I would love to be more organized, and create an exercise routine as you have done. Good luck my dear!