SEVEN FOR YOU â—½ TIPS
Exercise
Our Panel of Women
Our Surprise Contributor
That word either evokes an “Oh yes, let’s do it!” Or maybe it’s the thought, “Oh no, I need to, but I don’t want to.” Or maybe we’re somewhere in between those two. I’d say my reaction to exercise is different every day, but yet I make myself do it when I don’t want to…most of the time. I thought it would be fun to hear from our panel on what exercise looks like for them, how they make it happen…or how they struggle…and what they wear!
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I like to do yoga. I used to do more strenuous exercises but as I got older, I switched to yoga and moves that were less strenuous. I still walk and lift weights, but yoga is my go-to. The mornings I exercise during Family Feud. This helps to keep me on schedule and from getting bored. In the past year, I’ve started doing chair yoga, mostly because I see it all the time on Facebook. I exercise at least four to five times a week and on the days I don’t have time I use a quick routine of stretches, called Cosmic Dance, at the beginning of my day. This helps me to get my body moving, and at 63 years young, I need all the help I can get!
I used to dress for my exercise routines but as I’ve gotten older, I don’t sweat, so I just wear what I have on. One exercise I know that’s missing from my daily routine is going up and down steps. Every time I have a chance I go up or down wherever I am, and I can tell that my body needs more. I have a stool that I have used to help with this, and I guess I need to get back on it! - Carole
I was never athletic. Growing up, I was the person sitting in the stands, visiting with friends and watching the game, instead of actually playing the game. Even as an adult, I generally enjoyed office jobs and “sit down” crafts. I did occasionally participate in taking walks, water aerobic classes, exercising at home, and using a treadmill or stationary bike. Unfortunately, my problem was with being consistent. I was a busy, working mom with low blood sugar and low energy. Plus, I didn’t enjoy exercising. So, I moved it to the bottom of the list. I took for granted the healthiness of youth.
Fast forward to the present. As a senior adult, I am sure that consistent exercise would have helped me to be healthier as I aged. I also know that appropriate exercise will increase our quality of life at any age. So, my advice to everyone, young or older is this: Let’s all try to find an activity that keeps our bodies moving. - Gina
I joined Crunch Fitness and am using my Silver Sneakers membership for free access! I (try to) go to an AOA (Active Older Adult) class twice a week. What to wear is a challenge! I have some yoga pants that do the trick. I also try to go for 3-4 mile walks with my friends. I wear On Cloud shoes and love them! - Anita
I try to exercise at least five days a week either by walking or doing a YouTube dance workout on rainy or cold days. There are lots of trails in our neighborhood for walking and my husband and I often pick different ones, so as not to get bored. I also have started one particular exercise because of grandkids! I cross my arms on my chest and stand up from a sitting position several times to strengthen my thighs (this helps getting up from the floor!) and sometimes, while watching television, I’ve been known to do leg lifts or scoot across the living room twisting my torso (yes, I look silly.)
Another thing I love to do is exercise to worship music. I try to pick at least five songs to listen to if I have 20 minutes or so, and I move and raise my hands, and even waltz, depending on the beat!
Some days, I'm motivated and other days not so much, but I always feel better when I move my body. And one thing that's helped me do it consistently is I just wear whatever I have on - no "exercise" clothes - no specific time - I just get up go! If I have to change clothes and go at a certain time a day, that stresses me! And who needs more stress? - Marcy
In 2008 I walked into a free yoga class at the community center around the corner from my house. I’ve been going three days a week ever since. I have been through seasons of wrestling with its New Age and yet very old practices. Each time I come away with peace in continuing. Because it is at a community center, and not a yoga studio, there are no crystals, no chanting, etc. I use any questionable moments to pray and tell the Lord how grateful I am to have the opportunity to be there, moving and stretching my body, and taking care of what he has given me. I wear yoga pants and big oversized T-shirts. This class has been a lifeline for me through the years. I’ve made friendships with people I might not typically come in contact with. After Saturday class several of us stay and have coffee together and share our lives. Not all are believers. I see it as an opportunity to share my faith and the impact that Jesus has in my daily life. I hope to continue practicing yoga as long as possible. One of the beauties that it offers is the adaptability to aging and changing bodies. – Shelley
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I take a swim exercise class for seniors four times a week. I absolutely love it, and I even shower and dress at the pool's facility. Then about once a month, a bunch of us go out for breakfast together and splurge! Some days I also walk my grand dog, depending on how my cranky knee feels. I lost 27 pounds last year, but, sadly losing has slowed down since Thanksgiving. – Debbie
​​I met my wife, Gloria, in California. We were both retired widowers. We dated; we married. We decided to travel. With limited finances and a travel trailer we decided to “hit the road.” And for the last seven years we have been doing such. Being Workampers, where we worked part time for our RV site and utilities, throughout the aforementioned states, afforded us down time. I acquired my first bicycle somewhere in Texas.
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I soon learned that the low impact sport of bike riding was for me. I am a loner of sort. I do not ride competitively. I ride for the “sport” and the benefits to my body. One law of Physics is “that a body at rest wants to stay at rest.” This body, my 75-year old body, has to be forced to move. The first several minutes of riding has my body screaming, NO! I have to ride through it and keep on going. I first could only ride about a ½ mile. I am up to 10-12 miles per day, and love it! When the weather is appropriate, above 45 degrees and not raining, I am on my bike.
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For the last two summers, (yes, we are still in the RV), we have been at a wonderful campground in Michigan. Connected to the campground is a Rail-to-Trails bike path that is 12 miles in length, ½ paved and ½ unpaved. A small town on each end, us in the middle, and our church along the way. Yes, a storybook setting that I adore. I look forward to my daily ride. My wife looks forward to my being out of her hair for a couple of hours. I enjoy nature, I enjoy the wildlife along the way, I enjoy the freedom of the trail.
I compete with no one. I ride a consistent 10-11 mph. I don’t pass other riders, they pass me. I feel great when I am done riding each day because I have my own personal accomplishment. If I want to be competitive with myself, I have an App on my phone called Strava, which will give me my personal times on all legs of my bike rides.
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This winter we are not in Florida, which was our go-to for 5 winters. We are in Michigan. As I look out our rented condo’s windows, I see several feet of snow, the wind is blowing, supposed to get down to Zero tonight. The bike is in the basement, the only exercise I get now is walking to the Library and my week-end part time job.
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I am waiting for spring! - Dennis
All of the above that submitted their answers know the value of moving their bodies. It doesn’t require a membership anywhere, but that helps if you like to go and be with others. It doesn’t require a cute outfit, but if you like your specific pants or tops or shoes, then wear them! And it doesn’t require you doing what everyone else is doing, but rather finding your groove on how to move…and doing it consistently. Be encouraged to start somewhere with movement, find the something that you enjoy, and make it happen somehow regularly, if you can! It can involve a pool, a trail, a kitchen floor, a machine, a sidewalk…or whatever surface you find yourself drawn to, to move.