Exercises for Baby Boomers 6/10/21

Getting older often changes a person's outlook about exercise. It is essential to keep an open mind about how to adapt, as needed, to a different style of activity based on the phase of life a person is entering. The key is to decide what the best options are for you as an individual.

Senior Lifestyle gives 7 recommendations for "Seniors"....ugh...can't we be called something else? Maybe "Mature Adults"? No, that doesn't work either, there are still too many Boomers that refuse to grow up and accept a title that makes us feel aged. We enjoy our wine aged, but not to the point of tasting like vinegar. The word "Seniors" has that same bitter taste of vinegar wine as it rolls off our tongue, we wish we would have savored it a year sooner.

Seven years ago I jogged daily. I completed 5Ks,15Ks, and even a 1/2 marathon. I married Bobby in 2014, the result has been good lovin', good food, and good wine. Now it's time to take an honest look at myself. If I am going to continue living, I must incorporate exercise. I am too heavy to jog, because it is too painful on my knee and hip joints.

When I was pregnant the first time, I gained 40 lbs. At my first appointment with my gynecologist after childbirth, he told me to begin by doing 3 sit-ups per day. That sounded ludicrous, because I had previously been an avid exerciser. I would jog a few miles, incorporate light strength training, and almost nightly do 100 sit-ups. What a rude awakening! I could barely accomplish 3 sit-ups and was profusely sweating by the time I grunted out the third sit-up. This is where I was at age 26, now where do I begin?

In the present, I am much heavier than after pregnancy. I am obese with a BMI of 30. At my current weight I feel strongly that I should begin with walking on a regular basis, but how long and how far would be considered healthy? How Far a Healthy Person Can Walk With No Training is giving me an idea as to where to begin-Step One.

Number one: Be intentional, begin with 15-minute walks, then increase 5-10 minutes per week.

Number two: Remember beginning slow is healthy. It's just the beginning.

Number three: Set weekly goals and stay true to those goals.

Number four: Don't worry about how quickly you reach your goal, focus on the goal with a happy ending.

(As always, check with your Physician for your personal health needs.)

If things go as planned, I will be walking 35 minutes per day/5 days a week by the end of four weeks. After this Dallas Summer goal, I'm kind of dreaming of water aerobics! Let's see what I can achieve in a month. What will change? BMI? Weight? Energy level? Attitude? Let's see what happens by July 8, 2021. You are welcome to join me on this journey and share trials, tribulations, and successes. In the meantime, please pray for me.

#exercise #goals #walking #healthylifestyle