What do you do for exercise? What motivates you to do it?

debbie in seattle said:
I walk and do as much physical activity as possible, gardening, etc. My motivator is my husband. Every morning we walk about 3 miles. There are days I don't feel like it, but he's there with shoes on his feet raring to go, so I go.
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Same here! Except my husband and I split the responsibility. Sometimes he inspires, sometimes I do:eek:. But you know, I said to him a few days ago when we were walking the dog, that it was a good thing we have the dog because lately I've been wanting to just sleep. I can sleep a full night and I get just exhausted and sleepy and can have a two hour sleep mid day and then fall asleep instantly by 11:00. Lately I've been wanting to sleep my days away. And it's not like I'm working hard....

So yes, the husband and the dog...I need them both for motivation.
 

Ameriscot; I to am an freak when it comes to exercise. I joined a gym at 21 an never stopped going. I'm now 66 an when I got real sick with cancer all my Doc's asked ''HOW OLD ARE YOU''.
eVEN THO i HAD A ROUGH ROAD AHEAD IT MADE ME SMILE. my main Doc said it's probably one of the things that kept me from dying. It was stage 4b colon cancer an they gave me very little hope,but I
survived. But they couldn't get over the great shape I was in. I work with a trainer 2 days a week. What motivates me is the fact that it really makes me feel great. I don't have a bad back I don't have the aches an pains my friends experience
That in it self is such a blessing an having a trainer . I think that is a big key to successful workouts an it motivates me to not stand up my trainer. She was at one time a body builder.
I have no desire to become that but I like being a size 7,which I was in high school. It's going to let us live till we are 90,lol.
 
happytime said:
Ameriscot; I to am an freak when it comes to exercise. I joined a gym at 21 an never stopped going. I'm now 66 an when I got real sick with cancer all my Doc's asked ''HOW OLD ARE YOU''.
eVEN THO i HAD A ROUGH ROAD AHEAD IT MADE ME SMILE. my main Doc said it's probably one of the things that kept me from dying. It was stage 4b colon cancer an they gave me very little hope,but I
survived. But they couldn't get over the great shape I was in. I work with a trainer 2 days a week. What motivates me is the fact that it really makes me feel great. I don't have a bad back I don't have the aches an pains my friends experience
That in it self is such a blessing an having a trainer . I think that is a big key to successful workouts an it motivates me to not stand up my trainer. She was at one time a body builder.
I have no desire to become that but I like being a size 7,which I was in high school. It's going to let us live till we are 90,lol.
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Glad you got overcame your cancer! I believe being fit and healthy makes a huge difference in quality of life. I didn't start working out until 40 and I'm 64 now.
 

I do not like to exercise. I find it boring. I cannot relate to people who enjoy a good workout at a gym.

I exercise 5-6 days a week. I do it because I feel better afterwards and it has many health benefits.

But, I still don't enjoy it.
 
Well, I try to ride a little bit every day, even if its only 4 or 5 miles. Thank the dear Lord, my health is still pretty good.
This relaxes me and helps me to sleep better.

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happytime said:
At lest your honest about it Brookswood, that's kind of funny. So if you do workout 5-6 days a week that's alot. What is it you do
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Most gym rats would not describe what I do as a workout. What I do is bicycle or walk vigorously 2-3 days a week. Then I do a few stretching and simple weight bearing exercises the other 2-3 days. Simple and quick. No trips to the gym, no special equipment other than the bike, shoes and a few dumbbells.

If I do a lot of gardening or a lot of physical work, I skip the strength exercises for one day.
 
What do you do for exercise? What motivates you to do it?

What do you do for exercise? What motivates you to do it?
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I took up cycling again after many years of not riding. I joined a couple of cycling clubs who organise social rides and long rides. I have 2 road bikes and have had a few more before selling those to update to newer bikes. I log my rides and my best year I rode 28,500km and usually average 25,000 km a year but this year I found the cold weather in winter was just to much and since I started getting chilblains in my feet a couple of years ago I decided I couldn't handle cold days any longer.

Riding has kept me fit and kept the weight off and I like the company on the group rides. I found it very addictive and it's really enjoyable. I've ridden the Around The Bay ride here in Melbourne 5 times and done some other organised rides.

If it wasn't for cycling I would get quite bored I imagine.

I also like taking our little dog Molly for a walk and I like gardening.

Greg
 
I do some stretching in the mornings occasionally. But often enough I can't be bothered to. I'm feeling my back paying me back for my laziness already, but what the heck.
 
Brookswood said:
I do not like to exercise. I find it boring. I cannot relate to people who enjoy a good workout at a gym.

I exercise 5-6 days a week. I do it because I feel better afterwards and it has many health benefits.

But, I still don't enjoy it.
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I can't say I LOVE working out at the gym or doing my muscle work and dumbbells at home. I'd rather be sitting on a beach with an icy, fruity cocktail. I choose songs I like and put them on my ipod to workout to which helps. I also turn on the tv screen to the news on some of the gym machines and read the closed captioning on the bottom.

The fact that I can do a good workout and lift heavy dumbbells, etc etc makes up for any boredom or struggle or sweat.

There's usually the same group of people when I go in - most in their 60's and 70's - so we have a wee chat sometimes, or at least greet each other.
 
george said:
For me the gym is the fountain of youth, I wouldn't trade it for anything. I can spot the difference after each and every workout. Keep pumping iron forever.
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True. Most don't realize how important muscle work is, or getting your heart rate up. Too many assume just 'going for a walk' is good enough. It isn't. If that's all someone can do due to physical problems, fine. But otherwise, get it moving!
 
I use a pedler with feet and hands, rubber band workout and walk a bit. I also do a thirty minute workout with a harmonica(for my lungs).
 
Hi all,

I think one thing that motivates me the most is knowing that physical exercise can decrease fall risk in the future and prevent chronic illnesses. I believe that resistance training through the use of free weights is the most the efficient in helping me maintain my physical fitness. I think another way I stay motivated is understanding that contrary to societal belief, our bodies are still able to work out as a younger adult's would if we maintain a regular workout. What are your thoughts on a social group workout to stay motivated for keeping up with fitness?
 
I walk, mainly. Have not bee physically able to run in years. Same for on the floor exercises, as my limitations do not always allow me to get back up onto my feet. Another thing I do, and I know this sounds odd, is do to the physical therapy department of the place where I work. They have a set of PT steps...there are 5 steps going up, then you go a couple steps and there are 5 steps going down. There is a railing on both sides. I use that too.
 
I'm sure I've listed my workouts here somewhere since I started the thread. Currently my gym is closed for refurbishment but my workouts at the gym 3 times a week were:
30 minutes intense spin bike
15 minutes HIIT on elliptical
10 minutes on rowing machine
4 sets of 12 on 4 upper body resistance machines
Plus my home workouts:
4 sets x 12 of 12 routines on dumbbells for upper body - 3 times a week (dumbbells range from 3 - 8 kg - 6.6 to 17.6 lbs)
4 sets of 10 routines for lower body using dumbbells or ankle weights or floor exercises

Since my gym is closed my cardio at home is:
45 minutes Tae bo & jump rope or
45 minutes on exercise bike
sometimes power walk 5 miles if the weather is okay

Plus we ride bikes outdoors a lot.

Yea, I'm doing pretty good for nearly 65, eh?
 
The love of the outdoors keeps me motivated and interested. I walk 3-4 miles a day, and also do one or two of the 7 minute workouts at home and do some weights at home while watching TV. I stay aware of not sitting for too long too.

Reading what others do is also very motivating. Annie, you're awesome!

Edited to add: I'm one of those who loves tracking fitness data, so that I can see totals for the week and month, and this provides motivation as well. Being able to see a month view totally shames me into not getting lazy and taking days off unless the weather is horrible. There are many fitness tracker options, and I use an Apple Watch. Not only will it track my route on a map automatically but I'll get total steps, miles, heart rate, elevation gain, pace, temperature and humidity for that workout, active calories (based on my height and weight), and other data. It's fun to compare and visually see improvement on the same trail over time too. It also has an hourly stand reminder, so I can see how many hours in a day I stood for at least a minute. I aim for 12 but it doesn't always happen.
 
Wow Ameriscot, reading your previous posts your workout is pretty impressive! I try to fit in some walking every day, even if it's just for 15 minutes or so, in addition to two-three "power walks" per week which me and a neighbour have recently started doing. My main motivation is good heart health, and I'm also partial to the odd slice of cake so it's important to get in regular exercise to keep my waistline trim. It's true what they say as well, it does have a certain feel-good element!
 
I have an recumbent exercise bike in the back room. I pedal every evening for 30 minutes while watching the news on the TV. When the news makes me angry I get a real workout!

I started this when I was 50. At that time, I couldn't walk very far without a great deal of arthritis knee pain. My Doctor suggested I get a bicycle and ride regularly. He explained that it was a low-impact exercise that would build up muscle over the knees and the exercise would help reduce arthritis pain. I was pretty skeptical; exercising would help arthritic pain? Since it was winter, I bought a cheap exercise bike at Walmart and used it every night until Spring. By then I hated the damn thing so I bought a cheap 18 speed mountain bike at Walmart.

That began my mountain bike hobby. I quickly found out how flabby my muscles really were. I slowly built up endurance and muscle on fairly level streets and roads finally graduating to off-road trails. Somewhere along there, I realized that my knees didn't hurt any more and my lungs were repairing themselves after years of smoking and I was having a lot of fun.
 
I have a Garmin Vivofit 2 which tracks steps and sleep. It works pretty well for me. I've had it since this last January.

IMG_2143.JPG



It will work fine outside
But it won't count the car
You could go for a ride
You could drive really far
And when you get out
And ready for fun, it will register steps
In the rain or in sun.

You could walk on the grass
Or could walk on the road
You could walk round a meadow
Or even a toad.
The Garmin will count up the steps that you take
Wherever you go, round a building or lake.

You could wear it while swimming
It won't count the laps
You could wear it while snoozing
It will count your naps.
When taking a shower on your wrist it can stay
Whatever you're doing,
Just wear it all day.

All through the day
Every step it will count
While walking or running
The total will mount.
Compare with your friends
To see who has the most
At the end of the week
Be the winner y'all toast! « Show Less
 
BlondieBoomer said:
I have a Garmin Vivofit 2 which tracks steps and sleep. It works pretty well for me. I've had it since this last January.

View attachment 33590



It will work fine outside
But it won't count the car
You could go for a ride
You could drive really far
And when you get out
And ready for fun, it will register steps
In the rain or in sun.

You could walk on the grass
Or could walk on the road
You could walk round a meadow
Or even a toad.
The Garmin will count up the steps that you take
Wherever you go, round a building or lake.

You could wear it while swimming
It won't count the laps
You could wear it while snoozing
It will count your naps.
When taking a shower on your wrist it can stay
Whatever you're doing,
Just wear it all day.

All through the day
Every step it will count
While walking or running
The total will mount.
Compare with your friends
To see who has the most
At the end of the week
Be the winner y'all toast! « Show Less
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So, did the poetry come with the gizmo?
 
Hi all I'm new as of yesterday (did post to introductions). I 'm 80 years old in a few days and according to the radiologist, have severe C.O.P. D., but I do take Taekwondo - which is excellent exercise for all areas of the body. I started in the early 90's after my lung cancer surgery. I have a bit of a problem with endurance due to the lung disease, so sparring and jogging is a bit of a problem, but I am relatively strong and flexible for my age. We do kicks, punches (to targets) - I can do 50 jumping jacks - took me a while to work up to it We also do sit ups, push ups, squats plus various stretching exercises. I always found calisthenics somewhat boring - this is not boring (LOL to me anyway). I do some work at home - I practice the forms and drills and have a kicking bag. I have worked myself up slowly over the course of intermittent (due to school closings etc.)15 years to a 3rd degree black belt
After my last cancer surgery, I put on about 10 lbs - which I hated so I went back to school (my previous school closed during the economic turn-down and I couldn't find a school I liked) I love the school I'm in now.
 
Dragonlady, that's quite inspiring that you're so active with Taekwondo in your eighties. May you have many more years of enjoying this sport.
 

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