Exercise is a shortcut to the cemetery.
—Rumpole of the Bailey
Andy and I laughed when we heard Rumpole say that years ago, but we do believe in moderate exercise — moderate being the operative word. We were both horrified a few weeks ago when an article in the Wall Street Journal said it’s never too late to learn to …. One of the activities listed was skiing. One teacher said she’s taught people as old as 80 to ski. She said the learner needs to be comfortable with “faltering”. Uh, faltering is no problem, what about falling?
Shortly after that the news talked about Harry Reid missing the opening of Congress because of an accident he had with his exercise bands. Apparently he was an ardent exerciser and in great shape, but one of the bands broke and sent him flying. As he said (Washington Post):
Three days a week I have an exercise routine. I do 250 situps, I some yoga-type stuff for a little while and then I’ve been using for the last three or [so] plus years, these bands. I use one that’s the second-strongest you can get, it’s dark grey. Anyway, I do those things hundreds of times three days a week. I do different routines. And I was doing almost finished at my new home in Nevada and the band broke and it catapulted me backwards and to one side. I crashed into a series of cabinets we have and fortunately it missed my temple by just a little tiny bit and it hit me in my right eye and it broke a number of bones around my right eye and broke four ribs and a few bruises other places.
Accidents happen. I still don’t think Rumpole’s solution of just sitting in his easy chair is the way to go. But still, I’m not about to take up skiiing.
What kind of exercise do you do?
February 1, 2015
Currently on hold, I do a complete set of yogaasanaas which do not affect the hip joints. I also do a set of breathing exercises. My exercise routine is temporarily on hold because of a suspected tendonitis in the shoulder which will get resolved in the next couple of days. I may also start to go walking again if the doctor allows that.
Do you notice any difference in how you feel if you can’t exercise? It makes a big difference to me. I was annoyed when a few years ago the doctors wrongly thought I had pneumonia and gave me an antibiotic that meant I couldn’t exercise for about a month. It would have been nice if we could have discussed it ahead of time!
Anyway, I’m glad your tendonitis is almost over. Is the ban on walking because of your hips?
I work out almost every day, generally skipping on one or both days of the weekend.
I was going to relate something that happened recently at the gym, but decided to make a blog post of it. It should be the link below.
You exercise more strenuously than I do! But, of course, I’m probably older than the “old lady” who asked you if you were all right. 🙂
That’s my excuse now, but I’ve never done much aerobic exercise, except when hiking uphill.
I cheated & took a look at your post today. You know this Exercise one is going to grab me. I’ll stick to my promise to myself & stay clear of my Master-the computer. Maybe I’ll even go EXERCISE.
Yay, BHB! I had to spend more time than I would have liked last night/today messing with a plugin for this site. I did bounce some on my trampoline while working on it. And I figured it was good practice in not getting frustrated when I would rather have been doing something else.
Trying new plugin. Hasn’t been working.
Hi Sammy
And a big hi and a smile to you, too! 🙂
Walking and qi gong.
Dan Millman has a 4 minute stretch routine on OM Daily for about $25US which warms up the whole body and is entirely safe.
I can relate to that. I don’t do it now, but I do like qi gong.
Walking, walking, walking, my cane and I. A little light resistance training with weights, sitting in a chair. Everyone once in a while, kayaking for short distances if I have my husband and son-in-law around to help me into my kayak that now resides at my daughter’s lake house. Just a few short years ago, that would have read very differently: jogging 3-4 miles every morning, mountain biking on single tracks and kayaking down the Colorado (Texas version, not the white-water stuff). It’s hard to jog with a cane, though. (I know: I actually tried one day when RA had let up a little bit and I wondered . . . could I? Not a good idea. Don’t try to picture it! LOL.) I think I’ve accustomed myself to the new me until moments like that, but now at least I just laugh at myself and resume my walk.
Remembering the 1st time I turned upside down in my kayak in Very cold water. What a surprise! Thinking I have to do my Eskimo Roll & get upright–NOW. Those were the days.
You were both a lot more athletic than I ever was!
I’m so sorry about your RA, Linda, it’s a horrible disease. I still remember a neighbor having it when I was little. Good for you for walking, at least. Doing the best we can with what we have left.
the marine is forever gently urging me to up my heart rate.
he and i think differently about exercise.
i know it’s important. but i don’t feel the need now to ‘get out there and just DO IT!’
as the ad of nike says.
i walk. but i no longer speed walk nor do i even want to. i just walk for the sheer enjoyment of walking. if i have a day i feel like not walking i stay in.
i just don’t worry about it anymore. there is no routine to it. and probably to my detriment. i’m slow now.
and i used to worry at first. because i was always FAST.
i had a friend once that stopped in her tracks. she said “tam this is NOT a foot race. we’re SHOPPING for pete’s sake.” LOLOL.
what i truly miss … my hatha yoga. i practiced for years and years. and because of the blood pressure now … so many of the poses are not allowed. but even so… i have some moves that bring me some measure of limberness. it helps.
“tam this is NOT a foot race. we’re SHOPPING”
My Mother reminded me “Life is not a race.”
I used to be a fast walker too, but no more. But I occasionally still catch myself skipping a few steps. I can understand you missing yoga. I haven’t done it in a long time, and there are a lot of poses I shouldn’t do now too.
I’ve never been one for getting my heart rate up, but I do feel better when I get my steps in throughout the day.
Tammy,
Have you ever tried Tai Chi (simplified versions) or qigong? Apparently even though they’re gentle, flowing exercises, they have great health benefits. I don’t understand why Tai Chi is supposed to improve ones aerobic capacity, but it sounds a lot more appropriate than jogging for some of us.
oh… and p.s.
i LOVE rumpole of the bailey!!!! and of course she whom shall not be named. LOLOL
She who must be obeyed. That was the best part. 😀
THAT’S IT! LOLOL.
i got her mixed up with harry potter’s evil who must not be named!
our library has some dvd’s on rumpole of the bailey by the bbc.
thanks for reminding me of him.
and YES! i tried tai chi once. right now.. i didn’t want to mention it …
but my shoulder giving me fits again. i guess i either re-injured it or it’s dislocated again. the doc said once it does that … it’s easier to do it again.
but yes. tai chi on the horizon this year for sure.
Drat! Good luck on your shoulder.
And don’t forget, laughing is healthy exercise too. You don’t have any trouble with that, thank goodness!
I just finished watching the SUPER BOWL halftime event. It was so unbelievably SPECTACULAR & beautiful. ( “How they do that?”) I wish Michael Jackson could have seen it.
I skipped the halftime, but I watched most of the football. Wow! Down to the wire. Not like the bad old days when the teams weren’t evenly matched.
I don’t usually watch football but this game had me spellbound. And the last ONE YARD the Seahawks threw & didn’t run??????
The Halftime I’ll never forget.
I feel sluggish when I don’t exercise. Yes, the ban on walking is due to the problems I am having with one hip joint.
Good luck on having that ban lifted. You have my utmost sympathy.
My only exercise is at least 30 minutes walking a day plus some leg exercises every week or so. I don’t feel the need for anything more as I’m pretty fit and healthy with no serious medical conditions. I think some people are a bit obsessive about exercise.
Walking is great exercise. I also do a modest amount of strength training to prevent sarcopenia and to help preserve my bones. I try to make it fun, and I don’t overdo it.
Most heavy duty exercise is curtailed, mostly because of payback big time on my darn stupid R foot. Had the x-rays yesterday, not sure exactly what is wrong…other some gobblygook I couldn’t be bothered asking radiologist what she meant.
Reason I couldn’t be bothered was the problems I had getting there, finding the right space and the damn raining stuff from the sky… When I left rain had made inroads big time and my measly little brolly worked overtime…
Should hear from doctor on Monday as it is a public holiday tomorrow in NZ for Waitangi Day.
I can walk about quite well, but you will note payback is to be expected right now so I’m not “thinking, out you go” briskly etc.
I’m sorry getting there was such a hassle. And good luck with your foot! I broke a toe once and couldn’t exercise for about six weeks. In my case it was just stupidity.
As I’ve said before, I admire you so much.