What was Your Workout Today?

[JOHNNIE36]

Kinda did just the minimum at the fitness center yesterday as per instructions from the trainer. Did the bicycle for about ten minutes. I am surprised the left knee doesn't bother me at all while riding the bike. I know there is no pressure on it but still surprises me. Then I did the machine to strengthen the glutes. Can't figure out for the life of me why this area is so weak. Maybe it's just from sitting so much. Anyway I did 25 lbs. and 40 reps which is way more than I should have. Everything in moderation, right?

 

[haha]

I think this thread totally disproves the idea that retirees sit around most of the time at least as pertains to those who post here. So many have really ambitious programs, and stick too them too. I congratulate all of you!

I am still rowing along at least 10k/day. I also walk to do most of my errands. I find that getting out on the sidewalk, experiencing the weather, seeing the moon, seeing people go about their lives is a pick me up for me.

If I did not have any arthritis in my hip I might mostly walk long distances daily for my endurance exercise, because it is such an emotional pick-me-up. But I do have it so the rower fills in very well. Also I can dance moderate amounts (~2 hrs) even after I have rowed, while sometimes not so easy after a long walk. I would really like to row on the lake some days, like the guy with the Alden shell who posted in another thread, but I have no place to store it. Also I would have to do a wet launch, and many days the Lake would be too rough for pleasant or perhaps even safe rowing. I have never been in a coxless shell, traffic might be an issue, since you are facing away from where you are going. Perhaps to get out on the Lake a better solution for me would be one of those standup paddleboards, which I think I could store at my son's place, who lives between me and the Lake

Ha

 

[Lsbcal]

I think this thread totally disproves the idea that retirees sit around most of the time at least as pertains to those who post here. So many have really ambitious programs, and stick too them too. I congratulate all of you!
...

Yes, we should all feel good about not relaxing in retirement!
Ha, sounds like you have found a great way to overcome some physical obstacles.

Yesterday all I did was a little gardening. Now I'm taking off to do a run up a trail called "Rough Go" to a small lake. The weather is very mild today so it will be a pleasure. Might even meet some trail friends or see a deer or two.

 

[Martha]

Did 21 miles on the rain bike, trying a different route on the dirt roads. Lot of work as the road surfaces stink. Only one turn back due to flooding. Head wind all the way back. But the sun shines!

 

[2035]

80 min spin class

 

[Ronstar]

I think this thread totally disproves the idea that retirees sit around most of the time at least as pertains to those who post here. So many have really ambitious programs, and stick too them too. I congratulate all of you!

I am still rowing along at least 10k/day. I also walk to do most of my errands....Ha

Congrats to you as well!


Today was weights day, followed by a few hours of intense brush clearing and a swim in the lake.

 

[Nords]

Calisthenics.

I have to admit that this thread is a powerful incentive to work out. I feel a lot more accountable, and I enjoy being able to sit down at the keyboard afterwards (with a glass of water and 800 mg of ibuprofen) to log my workouts.

I managed to choke out more pushups today before spouse finished her treadmill set. Right now I'm just focusing on form, but in a couple months I'll be ramping up to 100 pushups/two minutes and 100 situps/two minutes. That's the criteria for qualifying for the black belt test. It is painful. It does not appear to get easier with experience.

Whether I really "need" to take the 3rd dan test is another issue. I was pretty maxed out at the 2nd dan test and the factors that made it so tough won't improve at the 3rd dan test. At my age perhaps I should be focusing more on controlling my hypercompetitive urges than on racking up another personal accomplishment. But damn I enjoy breaking a big stack of bricks with a well-placed strike.

I have another six months to think about it. Actually I have the rest of my life to think about it...

 

[H2ODude]

Did 5 hours volunteer trail building yesterday including fighting briars and vines. 5 mile run today. Totaled 25 miles for the week, which is a recent record, in spite of higher temps. Although I usually get out early in morning.

 

[eytonxav]

I have never been in a coxless shell, traffic might be an issue, since you are facing away from where you are going. Perhaps to get out on the Lake a better solution for me would be one of those standup paddleboards,
Ha

Nah, just get a rear view mirror

 

[Lsbcal]

Calisthenics.

I have to admit that this thread is a powerful incentive to work out. I feel a lot more accountable, and I enjoy being able to sit down at the keyboard afterwards (with a glass of water and 800 mg of ibuprofen) to log my workouts.

...

Hopefully it is an incentive to workout at the right level of your fitness. Some might read this stuff and decide to ramp up the workout. Ramping up is an art in itself so just a friendly reminder to others to take it slow.

 

[Dawg52]

Took the mutt on a 2 hour hike this morning at a local trail. I was dripping wet from the heat and humidity. My furry friend was too, only from all the dips he took in the lake to stay cool.

 

[Nords]

Hopefully it is an incentive to workout at the right level of your fitness. Some might read this stuff and decide to ramp up the workout. Ramping up is an art in itself so just a friendly reminder to others to take it slow.

I've never been able to handle excessive moderation!

Seriously, though, I much prefer high-intensity workouts. If my vision's not sparkling at the end of a set, and if I still have spare lung capacity, and if I can hop right up off the floor for the next exercise, then I didn't try hard enough.

It's a critical taekwondo skill. Most opponents can handle two two-minute rounds. But in my age group if you're still coming at them in the second minute of the third round, they're usually out of gas. If you're only down by a couple points at that time, you're probably going to come from behind to win.

Besides, a 40-45 minute workout is about all my attention span can handle. If I had to use a treadmill or an elliptical for an hour I'd be bored to tears. When I'm doing endurance then I'd rather be surfing...

 

[Lsbcal]

Nords, I'm sure you know your limits.

I'm thinking of others doing too much of a steep ramp up in exercise. Can sometimes (not always) lead to overuse injuries. Depending on the injury type this could then result in a long period of rest from the exercise -- not what one is shooting for.

 

[Ksols]

I've always been a 15-18 mile per week runner when I worked. I've been retired 1 month and find its hard to get in a decent distance or run because I sleep so late now and it's already too hot (80° and 70% humidity) after my cup of coffee. I got in 19 last week, but thats not happening with the forecast for this week. I always dreamed of upping the mileage to 30-35 when I retired...maybe this fall?
Still looking for that normal routine...how long did it take you to find a routine after ER?

 

[Lsbcal]

I've always been a 15-18 mile per week runner when I worked. I've been retired 1 month and find its hard to get in a decent distance or run because I sleep so late now and it's already too hot (80° and 70% humidity) after my cup of coffee. I got in 19 last week, but thats not happening with the forecast for this week. I always dreamed of upping the mileage to 30-35 when I retired...maybe this fall?
Still looking for that normal routine...how long did it take you to find a routine after ER?

Everyone is different but I'd give myself a lot more the 1 month.
A thought: maybe you don't want too much of a routine, just a little goes a long ways.

20 miles/week running is a pretty good goal and beats most people out there. There was an article recently that seemed to put this at the sweet spot for health. We don't want too much of a good thing.

BTW, I used to have a 15 mile/week goal too but have now upped it to 20. I like to run in upper 50 degree temperatures. The 60's start to feel like a slog but it's hard to avoid some summer days.

 

[W2R]

I've always been a 15-18 mile per week runner when I worked. I've been retired 1 month and find its hard to get in a decent distance or run because I sleep so late now and it's already too hot (80° and 70% humidity) after my cup of coffee. I got in 19 last week, but thats not happening with the forecast for this week. I always dreamed of upping the mileage to 30-35 when I retired...maybe this fall?
Still looking for that normal routine...how long did it take you to find a routine after ER?

I agree with Lsbcal - - it took longer than a month for me to settle into an ER routine, anyway. I think it was about a year after my retirement before we settled into a regular MWF afternoon gym routine. The first year we were trying different ideas for exercise until we found a routine that seems to work for us.

I am sure you will figure out an exercise routine that can fit into your schedule (or, a schedule that will fit your exercise routine) soon. With the weather as hot as it has been, maybe that will involve getting up early, maybe you can find someplace to run on an indoor track, or, more likely you will come up with some better ideas that will work for you.

 

[Nords]

Still looking for that normal routine...how long did it take you to find a routine after ER?

You have 168 hours per week all to yourself. Why would you want to develop a routine?

I was seriously chronically fatigued for the first couple months of ER-- sleeping in all the way to 6 AM or even 7 AM, taking two-hour naps, and going to bed at 9 PM. I kept up with my workouts and after about three months I was back to my current sleep schedule.

But this is your chance to decide how you want to spend your own time. Most retirees start out by overscheduling, which quickly forces them to cut back to what's really important to them.

So maybe you could develop a new routine this week. Go to bed early, get yourself time-shifted around, and start running while it's still cool. You could nap during the middle of the day.

When the summer cools off, you could try a different routine of staying up later and getting up later.

Here are about the only things we regard as "routine" at Hale Nords:
Awake somewhere between 3 AM and 5 AM. (Spouse sleeps in until ~7.)
Nap sometime during the day for 30-90 minutes.
Bedtime somewhere around 8:30-9:30 PM.
Taekwondo every Mon/Wed night (my favorite black-belt classes, although I could train every day of the week if I took other classes).
Calisthenics at home every Sun/Tue/Fri (spouse likes this schedule).
Surfing on Thur & Sat, maybe Mon & Wed too.
Costco pizza on Wed or Thur.
Hide from the crowds on weekends.

Beyond that we pick a chore from the To-Do list or work on a project for 20 minutes a day. Maybe one in the morning and one in the afternoon, or maybe just one. No sense in getting all hypercompetitive about it...

 

[audreyh1]

I felt so good on the rowing machine yesterday, I was thinking Woo hoo! I don't need to worry about my knees anymore! But this morning they were popping and growling at me! Actually, they didn't complain for very long, but it was a reminder to stay gradual. Steady on!

I think all the lunges and squats from my "Total Body Sculpt" workouts are helping strengthen the stabilizing muscles around my knees and so my knees are less vulnerable with the rowing and in general.

 

[Ksols]

Why would you want to develop a routine?
So maybe you could develop a new routine this week. Go to bed early, get yourself time-shifted around, and start running while it's still cool. You could nap during the middle of the day

The problem with that advice is...that was my life the past 30+ years (except nap) I couldn't wait for retirement to NOT go to bed early so I can get up early!

 

[W2R]

The problem with that advice is...that was my life the past 30+ years (except nap) I couldn't wait for retirement to NOT go to bed early so I can get up early!

I can relate to that! I was sleeping really late for the first 2.5 years, and really, really needed that. Eventually I decided I missed the mornings and started setting an alarm. But now it is MY decision to get up earlier, and that makes all the difference.

Meanwhile, it just takes a little while to figure out a routine that will fit into your presently desired schedule. You can do this.

 

[2035]

50 min Spinning class + 60 min Cuban Fusion Dance

 

[Moscyn]

I'm going to bring a bit of variation to my exercise routine next week. Whilst I enjoy jogging in the gym, outdoors and once a week in the pool (since I don't know how to swim), am starting my first swimming lesson next week. It would be fun to finally learn how to swim before I reach 52 years old in a few months!

My swimming instructor overslept! I was already in the pool when I was informed. So, just did my usual water exercise today. Swimming lessons postponed to next week.

 

[Nords]

This is one of those weeks where you have to be careful not to lose your routine.

Mon night was taekwondo, no problem. Tue spouse had a doctor's appointment so we blew off the calisthenics. I made up for that this morning with two hours of "vigorous yardwork". Luckily taekwondo was cancelled tonight so that the instructors and competitors can travel to the national tournament. So tomorrow (Thu) we'll do more "vigorous yardwork" at the rental property, and then on Friday we'll be back on our calisthenics workout schedule.

 

[eytonxav]

Missed my midweek workout so tried to combine that with my typical Saturday leg work (Elliptical/Squat/Row/DL/BP/Leg Ext/Leg Curl/Crunches).

Usually my workouts last about an hour, but this went probably 15 -20 minutes longer and made me a little more worn out than ususal. It may not be good strategy trying to combine like this

The gym owner told me this morning he is combining his gym with two others and will be moving to a much bigger space in the Fall (also closer to my house with a less congested parking lot), and will have all new equipment. Machines will be FreeMotion. I am not familiar with that company, anyone have any experience with the FreeMotion machines? At least the free weights will remain, which is mostly what I use.

 

[W2R]

Missed my midweek workout so tried to combine that with my typical Saturday leg work (Elliptical/Squat/Row/DL/BP/Leg Ext/Leg Curl/Crunches).

Usually my workouts last about an hour, but this went probably 15 -20 minutes longer and made me a little more worn out than ususal. It may not be good strategy trying to combine like this

I had to miss my Wednesday workout too. Friday's workout was a bear. I was extremely tired for some reason for a couple of days and so cut back temporarily, just to play it safe.

The gym owner told me this morning he is combining his gym with two others and will be moving to a much bigger space in the Fall (also closer to my house with a less congested parking lot), and will have all new equipment. Machines will be FreeMotion. I am not familiar with that company, anyone have any experience with the FreeMotion machines? At least the free weights will remain, which is mostly what I use.

That sounds wonderful - - having the gym closer, with more room and a bigger parking lot sounds really, really good. I do not think I am familiar with FreeMotion machines; most weight machines at my gym are Cybex, Nautilus, or Keiser. Cardio machines at my gym are many brands but the majority are Precor. My gym got some new seated elliptical machines earlier this year which are probably a different brand; I have no idea. But anyway they are very popular and pretty cool, I must admit. I rode one yesterday for a while.

On a completely unrelated topic I had a routine appointment with my doctor and asked him if my weight lifting was a problem due to my high blood pressure (not to mention overweight and so on). He said that in my case, he thought it would help more than harm. Whew! I'm so glad because I really like lifting weights.