what do you do, when do you do it, and how often?

 

I try to keep a balanced exercise program.  I mean, I know that a while back, I really was over doing it with the walking.  Plus, when I found out that I could actually run, I went nuts.  Now, my running isn’t beautifully fluid, but I can run.  But, what is it that I really like doing that I can do consistently throughout the summer and winter?  I have thought about this for a while.  I love walking but there comes a time when the weather just makes it miserable and doing it in the gym requires re-routing my day.  So, a few weeks back, I started riding my bike.  I think that this is one of those activities that work in the heat as well as in the cold.  If I ride fast and it’s hot, the wind cools me off and it if it is cold, the peddling warms me up.  The perfect exercise.  Today, I rode on the busy street in front of my house over to a huge field that is property about to be sold for houses.  There is already a road and there are sidewalks, but instead of houses, there are fields and fields of wild flowers—a perfect place to ride and think.  So, I’m there riding and seeing all the beautiful butterflies and gorgeous ones too and no one in all of Fayetteville has a clue that I am out there riding.  I ride fast, I slow down, I stand up and pedal, and I eve got off my bike to watch the wildlife.  It’s almost like hiking but a block off the main highway and on pavement and on a bike, so not so much like hiking. LOL.  My question:  What is it that floats your boat?  And how many times do you do it?

Jeannie, I have a bike that I inherited from my son. With my bionic knees I have to have the seat up a bit higher than I would like. It's a "boy's bike" with the bar. Makes it a bit hard getting on and off. I think I need a bit more confidence. I have the helmet, just need the big girl panties on. I don't really want to fall off! I need to take it somewhere where there are no cars to get some practice in. I haven't been doing much of anything really to call exercise. Walking some, but not consistently. I probably will start back at the gym this fall. I was so consistent about it for over two years. I've just gotten out of the habit and let too many other things intervene. Fields of wildflowers sound lovely!

What I have trouble with in my bike riding is the range of motion in my legs is not all that good. I feel the pain when I bring my foot up to my rear. LOL.  So, I have notice with continued riding, that it has gotten a wee bit better.  I would be careful if the bike is too big.  Those cruiser bikes are dirt cheap right now.  You might even sell the son's and get you one that fits.  Bikes, like gyn shoes, must be comfortable or you won't wear it. 

Get back into doing some kind of exercise.  One thing we wls people know is in order to get better we must make it work and making it work includes exercise. 

Oh,Karen those wild flowers are so pretty.  I saw purple, yellow, red, blue, and even a gold looking one.  I wanted to pick them but then they would just die.  The brown eyed susans and camomile are the most gorgeous.  Arkansas is not tree, flower, or water poor.  Wish you were here riding along the trail with me.

The bike size fits perfect. It was Nate's when he was 14. He spent his own money on it and it has more speeds than I need, but it's a good bike. I even have thorn proof tires on it! I'm sure with continued riding it would be good for my range of motion. I know you are so right about the exercise. I was almost obsessive about it for two years then just kind of let it slide. Hard to get back to that continued habit. Talk is cheap!

Hi Jeannie

I am happy to hear you enjoy bike riding so much. I remember a couple of years ago you had trouble walking. How wonderful you can run too.

I am a scardy cat so afraid I will fall and in Houston there is so much traffic. I have a good Schwinn bike from the 70's over at my ex's townhouse. Anyway, I like swimming and pool walking. I have not been doing it as often as I should, partly because I feel embarassed again about my body like before surgery. That is due to the 50# I gained back. I have to get past that and just go to the pool. After all it is one of the things I find important about where I live, the presence of a pool.

So, I am heading for the pool now.

Karen Martin

You and I had surgery around the same time.  The pool is hard on me because of my lungs being so damn bad.  I cannot hold my breath worth a flip and swimming seems to make my chest hurt worse than running.  I would love to have a Swhwinn from the 70s bike.  I like those bannna seat bikes with the long handlebars.  Mine is an old beach cruiser and is so clumsy but serves my purpose.  If I ever get really good at it and am able to ride it for hours, then I'll upgrade to a more friendly model. 

Get back to that pool and take those pounds off. You still have the tool, you just need to figure out how to make it work. 

I can picture you riding your bike - all smiles and loving the freedom.

My bike gathers cobwebs because it scares me to:
get on the road -> fast cars and loose dogs,
off road -> SNAKES.

Walking feels real good but again, fast cars, loose dogs and snakes make me a nervous nelly.

The rowing machine suits me to a "T". Depending on my position I can work different muscles. A slow steady pace is soothing, a fast pace gets my juices flowing. Some days I row four sets of 30 minutes, other days maybe 30 minutes. If it is hot outside, a fan cools me. Too cold and I crank the thermostat.

Rowing 'floats my boat' but on dry land.

Rowing is a good exercise, especially for the heart.  I cannot row.  I have tried it and just cannot do it.  I think it takes a lot of upper body strength and I don't have that.  Now my legs are ready for kick boxing but my arms are a saggying, catch, of bull jello.  Yeah.  I should lift weights and have planned on it, but am just too afraid of making my neck sore.  I'm a wuss like that.  Kenny and I bought our bikes long before I began this wls journey. In fact, when we got them, I was too big to ride because my belly got in the way.  Over time, though, I was able and did ride a little bit.  I couldn't ever go up hill or fast at all.  I remember after wls and my first time to really ride the bike; I was so afraid of falling or of getting somewhere and not being able to get home.  I did have to call Kenny a couple of times to come get me. LOL.  I envy you and your rowing.  I'd love to be able to do that and get in a real boat and row out to sea. LOL.

I do love the wind in my face and the envy that I see in the eyes of the drivers who pass.  I think some remember back when they rode.  I know when I couldn't and I saw bike riders, I thought back to my childhood. 

We are fine mess, we wls gals.  The next time you row, think of me and maybe someday, I'll row too.

I like to do anything that involes water.  I can use my pool now unfortunaly that only last 2 or 3 months.

When I was too big to do any other kind of exercise, I did pool walking.  It was great and left me exhausted.