Exercise

J

Justme

Senior Member
Do you exercise daily, and you do enjoy or endure it?

As I am arthritic I makes a point of exercising every day to stop myself stiffening up. I have at least two 20 minute walks, three sessions on the exercise bike, step ups and mild aerobics. For me exercise is more of an endurance than a pleasure.
 

I do yoga once a week, am taking lessons in indoor bowls, and live in a 3storey house!

I have no aches and pains, so do this because I enjoy it, and to hopefully keep the aches and pains at bay a little longer!
 
I do a modified version of exercises that I had to do in basic military training so many years ago. I only do them in ten minute spurts three times a day as it is just too boring to do them any longer at one time...
 

I try to walk 30 to 45 minutes a day on my treadmill. Exercise, even walking makes my spine swell, then my back looks up, and the swelling causes shooting pain in my legs and arms. But I keep treading.
 
I run two miles a day twice a week and walk the two miles three days a week. I used to run the two miles 5 days a week, but I was found to have some kind of anemia, so the doctor limited my running. I never liked running until I was in the Marines and there you learn to like it because you get to do plenty of it. Walking is OK, but it has much to be desired. My wife walks and she also carries dumbbells (not me). I try to get my heart-rate over 120, but stay under 155. I sometimes where a heart rate monitor to measure my pulse.

Just as a clarification, I do not run like a jogger. I run like a 67 year-old man. Faster than walking, but slower than my 41 year-old neighbor does when he runs. When we leave at the same time and we run the same course, he is usually finished ahead of me by 2-3 minutes.

All of this running has caused me to have a slow resting heart beat, which every doctor has told me is good, so long as it is due to being a runner. My doctor just wants it to stay above 50.

I also have PMR, which is painful, but I make the sacrifice. The doctor says if I can stand the pain it's OK because I am not causing any additional damage by running, except more pain. But like they say, "No Pain, No Gain." I take two Alieve and two Tylenol (4 pills) together, if the pain gets too bad, especially if I run before bedtime. Prednisone works the best, but it has too any possible side effects.

If you are interested, you may read about PMR here: https://www.rheumatology.org/Practi...seases_And_Conditions/Polymyalgia_Rheumatica/
 
When my wife is at work, I get plenty of exercise using a computer keyboard (fingers). LOL
Sometimes, after wife gets off of work, we will walk around our apt. complex. We also have a Wii Game that can get us "up and going" at times. Our exercise is mainly on the weekends, when we do shopping. I mean, shopping/walking is exercise......right? Because of my hip replacement, I can't walk too much/too far......if I do, the hip can start telling me "you overdone, dude" (some pain).
Later, when we get our Shih Tzu, we will be walking more (taking him/her for a walk/potty).
 
I try to get to the pool 3-5 times week. Doc says its the best type of exercise of all since you are using every part of your body.
 
oldman said:
I run two miles a day twice a week and walk the two miles three days a week. I used to run the two miles 5 days a week, but I was found to have some kind of anemia, so the doctor limited my running. I never liked running until I was in the Marines and there you learn to like it because you get to do plenty of it. Walking is OK, but it has much to be desired. My wife walks and she also carries dumbbells (not me). I try to get my heart-rate over 120, but stay under 155. I sometimes where a heart rate monitor to measure my pulse.

Just as a clarification, I do not run like a jogger. I run like a 67 year-old man. Faster than walking, but slower than my 41 year-old neighbor does when he runs. When we leave at the same time and we run the same course, he is usually finished ahead of me by 2-3 minutes.

All of this running has caused me to have a slow resting heart beat, which every doctor has told me is good, so long as it is due to being a runner. My doctor just wants it to stay above 50.

I also have PMR, which is painful, but I make the sacrifice. The doctor says if I can stand the pain it's OK because I am not causing any additional damage by running, except more pain. But like they say, "No Pain, No Gain." I take two Alieve and two Tylenol (4 pills) together, if the pain gets too bad, especially if I run before bedtime. Prednisone works the best, but it has too any possible side effects.

If you are interested, you may read about PMR here: https://www.rheumatology.org/Practi...seases_And_Conditions/Polymyalgia_Rheumatica/
Click to expand...

All of this running has caused me to have a slow resting heart beat, which every doctor has told me is good, so long as it is due to being a runner. My doctor just wants it to stay above 50.

I know my friend wishes the Army doctor who did her 17 year old son`s physical knew this! He is a runner-ran track all through high school-and has a resting heartrate of 53. Doc said it was too slow and he failed his physical. He had no clue that this is normal for a runner. He is appealing but it has pushed him out to a later start date.
 
I've been trying intensive interval training lately (supposed to be enough to give it 15 minutes per day, twice a week) and then yoga in between plus a little bit of weight lifting. Over the past two or three weeks I've been doing that and in the last 6 or 7 days, I was able to do the interval training every other day and I was thinking this evening that I was feeling pretty good. Strong, balanced.....just don't look in the mirror while wearing glasses (some things don't improve).

This is a link to the Interval training routine that I've been following. I like it and intend to continue with it. Apparently Helen Mirren (the actress) follows something like this and look how good she looks! http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/...p=true&_type=blogs&_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=2
 
Ina said:
I try to walk 30 to 45 minutes a day on my treadmill. Exercise, even walking makes my spine swell, then my back looks up, and the swelling causes shooting pain in my legs and arms. But I keep treading.
Click to expand...



Wow, that doesn't sound very nice at all! Kudo's to you for keeping going! Tough lady.
 
I've tried, I do walk when the arthritis or plantar fasciitis isn't kicking up too much. But my neck gets lots of exercise when I pop in these great videos I have and I have them in all sorts of categories including ti chi, yoga, and general chair aerobics; yes indeed, my neck gets all stretched out twisting and turning to keep up with all those moves. :)

But, seriously, this is a great question and I do try and think we all should continue to if nothing else, do some stretching everyday so as not to stiffen up too much, some things are going to happen regardless. Having arthritis, bursitis and a host of other problems, I find some things that work for others sometimes exacerbated the problem, so, I have to proceed with caution. But, to do nothing is even worse, so even if it's just stretching that makes a world of difference.
 
Just Do It

Justme said:
Do you exercise daily, and you do enjoy or endure it?

As I am arthritic I makes a point of exercising every day to stop myself stiffening up. I have at least two 20 minute walks, three sessions on the exercise bike, step ups and mild aerobics. For me exercise is more of an endurance than a pleasure.
Click to expand...

That's a good way to put the question. Sadly many seniors 'endure' exercise, even those that are capable. Too many look at exercise as something some else does or a hobby when it should be part of daily life like brushing your teeth(or dentures) or tying your shoes. With many seniors many old doctors make exercise an option and not a mandate. They should telling patients do something, anything for exercise, give me something even if a walk around the block a couple of times a day. I know seniors who have had a conservative old school doctor recommend physical therapy for a few issues and you would think they were asked to run 10 marathons a day. They also whined and moaned when they told to get on their belly for a test. They say if their leg issues worsen they'll just get a cane like it's a right of passage or something.

I'm a life time gym rat and worker outer, don't/didn't always do what I should've but rarely more than one day without exercise. My philosophy is always do something, anything. Sometimes I've walked or halted a workout 20 minutes in but I did something. The big thing is keep the blood going, body parts loose and make myself sweat and heart beat fast for at least a few minutes a day. Sometimes I'll just walk. I also have made sure I always have a variety of exercises and workouts/things to do so it's not the same ole stuff everyday.

Exercise should not be an option and people including seniors should know that. The kids need to be taught that as well.
 
I used to be an avid runner but doc says it is too hard on my joints. So now I just walk fast. I have a treadmill so I can walk inside during wretched weather. I also ride my bike and go to the gym. If I don't get some exercise I feel sluggish and stupid. Most times I enjoy the exercise, but sometimes I just endure it because I know it is the best thing for me.
 
Butterfly said:
I used to be an avid runner but doc says it is too hard on my joints. So now I just walk fast. I have a treadmill so I can walk inside during wretched weather. I also ride my bike and go to the gym. If I don't get some exercise I feel sluggish and stupid. Most times I enjoy the exercise, but sometimes I just endure it because I know it is the best thing for me.
Click to expand...

Speaking of bikes, I'm thinking about buying one. There are some great trails where I have my condo on the coast and would like to explore the trails better by using one. They trails are roughly 40 miles in length and mostly flat. Don't think I need one with a lot of gears. Would like to keep it simple.

Any recommendations? Steel vs aluminum? 1,3,7 gears or more?
 
I start physical therapy on Monday for my arm (shoulder) that I broke and it's healing. I was going regularly to a gym awhile back, and when the weather got really cold I quit going, with the intention of using my treadmill and weights at home, but just couldn't stick with it, without other's exercising too. Got a phone call the other day from the gym, so after my physical therapy is done, I will be returning to the gym workouts. An 80 year old attorney was a regular at the gym, and he was doing Great! He is my role model, and maybe I will live to be 80 and active too, like him. Interesting thread, Justme. :)
 
The exercise I do daily and really enjoy is walking outdoors, I do at least two miles with the dog, and sometimes go for an additional 3 mile walk alone. I go to the gym a couple of times a week too, either do a Silver Sneakers toning/strength/stretching class, Palango dance or just do some stuff on the weight and exercise machines on my own. I always feel good after exercising, usually don't stay over an hour at the gym.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top