Your exercise plans for 2021 and how it went in 2020?

[Lsbcal]

A new year can mean a new start. Why? I don't know but it seems to be the case that I get more fired up at this time of year.

Anyway how did you do in 2020 and what are you thinking about for 2021? If you want to forget 2020 and just move on, what are your plans? If you want to brag this is the place to do it.

This is a non-judgemental thread. But if you're just sitting around well maybe it's time to rethink the program and I don't mean just changing the station.

P.S. After some posts I will post my personal ideas.

 

[mystang52]

Kind of ironic that 2020 was my best year, health-wise. I'm immuno compromised so I generally get sick once or twice a year, that would derail my exercising for weeks at a time. 2019 was especially horrendous for me. I got through all of 2020 unscathed, and had my best year of running/swimming/cycling. 2021? I expect more of the same!

 

[Ronstar]

I wanted to average 10,000 steps a day in 2020. So I went hiking and walking every day beginning Jan 1. I was averaging over 13,000 steps a day mid year when I started running and biking more. The steps decreased and then plummeted when I had foot surgery mid November. I haven't kept track of my steps since then but I'm most likely below my goal. I have been lifting weights though.

Goal for 2021 is again 10,000 average steps per day. But I won't be able to get up to speed until late Jan when the foot dr gives me the go ahead to resume normal activities. Goal also to lift weights every other day and do a lot of biking in the summer.

 

[RobbieB]

DIY home improvements, tree trimming, gutter cleaning, dog poo disposal, dog walking and hopefully casino walking when this covid crap is done.

 

[Huston55]

I was doing a mixed workout through 2019: yoga/pilates 5X/wk, hiking 1-2X/wk, walk the golf course 1-2X/wk & swim 1X/wk.

I experienced several restrictions/setbacks in 2020: Covid eliminated the swimming early in 2020; golf was a bit limited in early 2020 but, quickly returned; most of the workout continued until early Nov, when I injured my knee on a backpacking trip, which eliminated almost all exercise for 6 wks until I got fluid drained & a cortisone shot. Now, with lots of physical therapy and one week after the shot, I'm recovering quickly and making progress to return to everything except swimming which is done until the pools reopen.

My plan for 2021: return to the full exercise program, except substitute rowing for swimming plus, add physical therapy to fix imbalances revealed by the knee injury. I also have extra motivation because I'm planning a combination trip to Scotland in mid 2021 which includes golf at St Andrews plus hiking Hadrian's wall. Let's hope I can avoid further injury and get there.

 

[jollystomper]

Still going to the gym while it is open. I wear mask and gloves all the, do not talk to people, seek out the machines in more deserted areas (I go at times when it is < 20% capacity), wipe down the weights and machines before and after use. The gym has also added additional air handlers and UV lights to sanitize. I feel safe.

Lots of golf (walking the course 99% of the time). Also active yard work, snow shoveling, hikes/walks/biking with BW, bowling.

For those days I cannot get out, home aerobics (found a couple of YouTube instructors whose workouts keep me alert and interested) for a hour plus other indoor tasks. I also have a bike trainer so I can pedal while watching TV. Generally speaking I try not to sit in front of Tv or computer for more than 40 minutes at a time.

My activities have me averaging over 12K steps/day. From Easter through the end of October I did not have a day that was under 10,000 steps, and on golf days I easily get well over 20K steps.

I have lost weight for the year At times it has dropped below my desired low range. I prefer to keep it just under my desired middle range to justify the occasional "eat bad things" splurge .

 

[audreyh1]

By the end of 2019 I was in the best shape I had been for a long time. 2020 totally creamed my exercise programs.

• Yoga studio no longer a option, I used to go at least twice a week, and had developed tremendous flexibility. Best ever.
• Neighborhood community gym off limits. DH and I had been regulars in 2019.
• DF in hospice care - by 2020 I was spending massive amounts of time in GA, and exercise options were extremely limited while there.
• Away from home too much - where I have lots more exercise options - bicycle, rower, long walks, etc.

It’s been a rough year!

I’m just trying to build back up. Some community resources are still off limits.

 

[Lsbcal]

I keep an Excel exercise log with one tab per year. For 2020 it shows:

1) Runs on pavement and trails of 600 miles total this year. Lots of hills here and rocks so I have to watch that I don't fall too often. Runs are 2 to 6 miles.
2) Walks totaled about 400 miles this year. Mostly days in between run days.
3) Stopped going to the gym in late February due to Covid. So now I log light resistance exercises, stretches, and stretchy belt work. DS got me the belts for a birthday present. I doubt I will go back to the gym.

For 2021, goal is more of the same. I will shoot for 15 miles of runs per 7 days. And walks on days I don't do runs. Generally I alternate runs and walks. I also do plenty of gardening work and generally fill up a couple of yard waste carriers each week.

I make sure my running and walking shoes are good ones with lots of cushion. I swap out the running shoes after 500 miles in my log sheet. Am getting slower running but keep telling myself to just hang in there. At 72 just getting out there and staying in shape is the goal.

 

[RobbieB]

Oh I forgot. Airport and destination walking. After the vaccine, we're gonna fly again!

 

[Huston55]

By the end of 2019 I was in the best shape I had been for a long time. 2020 totally creamed my exercise programs.

• Yoga studio no longer a option, I used to go at least twice a week, and had developed tremendous flexibility. Best ever.
  
  It’s been a rough year!
  
  I’m just trying to build back up. Some community resources are still off limits.

• 
  
  Audrey-
  
  The yoga/pilates program I do is on an App, which I prefer because I can do it anytime. Also, lots of yoga/pilates can be done via Zoom these days. Perhaps one of those might work for you.

 

[1242Vintage]

Using an old concept from days long ago to get in shape for high school football... two-a-day workouts.

I hit the gym every morning for an hour of cardio or strength training. Late afternoon I jump on a bike ... alternating between road, mountain and cyclocross ... for an hour and a half down to the river and a grind back up.

My rest and recovery day is Tuesday (my standing weekly date day with Mom).

Very careful with diet and usually get a full 8 hours of sleep every night.

Results have been very good. Down 40 lbs since May 1 and cardio conditioning has significantly improved. This Fall when we had an opportunity, raced time trials on mountain bikes and this crazy fun race format called cyclocross. Started hitting the podium again, which hasn’t happened in a long time.

Feeling like I’m back in my university days when I was racing every weekend through spring and summer. Can’t wait until the restrictions from Covid are lifted and races get back on the calendar. Let the good times roll again!

 

[Dtail]

Didn't eat as well in 2020, but played Pickleball typically 6x weekly, so the weight stayed at a good level.

 

[DrRoy]

I walk a minimum of 1.5-2 miles/day, almost every day.

 

[Lewis Clark]

I started keeping track of bicycle rides in early May 2020. Averaged 3 rides and 120 miles per week for the rest of the year. Managed to lose about 20 pounds. Hope to keep this up in 2021.

My wife and I have ordered inflatable kayaks, due to arrive in late February 2021. Hope to kayak twice a week once they arrive and the weather permits.

 

[socca]

Converting from gym-based to home-based workouts has been a mixed bag. My core and upper-body conditioning has improved thanks to the online workout video I use. Unfortunately, I'm no longer getting 1/2 hour on the elliptical machine every-other-day so I suspect that my cardio conditioning has declined a bit.

For 2021, I'd like to supplement my current home-based routine with an online high-intensity workout video. I need to get my heart rate up, and keep it up!

P.S. For the first time in years, I'll be missing the tragicomic parade of unfamiliar plump bodies who show up in the gym in January and are gone by March. The way things look now, I'll never be returning to a gym.

 

[braumeister]

Being home nearly all the time this year has let me go for a run almost every morning. Total mileage for the year is the highest it has been in many years.

The goal for next year is to try to maintain that, and also try to get more strength training in. That's my nemesis, since the only exercise I really enjoy is my daily run.

 

[Dtail]

I started keeping track of bicycle rides in early May 2020. Averaged 3 rides and 120 miles per week for the rest of the year. Managed to lose about 20 pounds. Hope to keep this up in 2021.

My wife and I have ordered inflatable kayaks, due to arrive in late February 2021. Hope to kayak twice a week once they arrive and the weather permits.

IIRC, you live in the same general area as me. I am curious where you plan to kayak?
I am interested in this activity, as have a lot of experience with canoes and rowboats.
However, I wonder sometimes when seeing kayakers in the same lakes/rivers where I see alligators.

 

[Time2]

In 2020 I walked 4 miles, 3 to 4 days a week. I went on a Keto diet early in the year and lost 24LBS. Now after several months and Christmas feasting, I've gained back 15lbs. I'm going to lose that! Starting with a fast, at least 4 days (96 hours). My last food was Saturday night. Yesterday I bumped my walk to 9 miles, I did fine, but I think I'm ready for new shoes, my feet were a little sore. I did note that the food odors from all the restaurants I passed was extremely strong. Or was that just me.
For 2021 I plan to increase the number of squats I do on my walk, add some minor dumbbell exercises and continue flexibility exercises.

 

[Lewis Clark]

IIRC, you live in the same general area as me. I am curious where you plan to kayak?
I am interested in this activity, as have a lot of experience with canoes and rowboats.
However, I wonder sometimes when seeing kayakers in the same lakes/rivers where I see alligators.

I sent you a PM.

 

[Markola]

Classes work for me and I was kicking butt in 2019. 2020 was disastrous. Yeah, I could do stuff on video but I didn’t. When the world is functional again I’ll start over. Until then, walking several miles daily while keeping up with my podcasts is the main thing.

 

[Car-Guy]

Zero planned exercise in 2020 so I kept my new years resolution. I plan to double down for 2021... I get up in the morning, do what I want during the day and and go to bed at night. I do get some physical exercise maintaining the house, property, vehicles, piddling in the shop, etc... Feel fine, sleep well.... Not going to mess with success...

 

[razztazz]

After thirty years of vigorous, Telomere extending exercise I had a massive heart attack while mowing the lawn, then had a bug-zapper wired into my chest to keep my heart beating. So, since June I've cut back on the exercise

What I've been doing and will continue doing for the foreseeable future is about 30 mins of stationary biking using aerobic not HIIT protocol and using dumbbells using a "Grease the Groove" format to keep from killing myself.

 

[Dawg52]

Next year I plan to spend more at my coastal condo and that will equate to better exercise. When there I ride my bike on nature trails everyday. At home in MS I plan to walk more. Got a new light wt golf carry bag to use some. Can't do it all the time as everyone in my group rides but I like to practice by myself a couple of days a week and will walk when doing this. I walk my dog daily but he's old and can't go as far anymore so got to walk more doing other things.

 

[Aerides]

Until 2020 I was mainly a runner, but tore my meniscus. After successful surgery in July, Doc showed me the gap where cartilage should be, and recommended building strength to buy more time to compensate.

Fast forward a few months, my garage is now my gym. I powerlift (squat, deadlift, bench etc.) though at starter/novice/female weights for now. I love it. 3x per week, haven't missed yet. I look forward to each workout like nothing ever before. I'm stronger than I've ever been. "don't get bulky" well yeah I couldn't if I tried and it's not like that's gonna happen with no warning! (and I really won't mind a bit more definition - who cares what others say I should look like)

Only challenge is equipment (which ofc saw a surge for demand), but I've got a bar and plates to take me well into 2Q21 when I'll start to get close to deadlifting my weight. Squat rack, bench, mats, dumbbells as well. It's given me something to blow that dough on too. So my 2021 goals are just to keep progressing, keep adding weight to each lift each week, and get even stronger. When it's safe, I'll visit my local lifting gym for a trainer.

 

[iloveyoga]

I walk every day (unless it is icy) either with my DH or a friend. I use the app on my iWatch and usually get in 4-5 miles a day. I do zoom or you tube yoga (Mary McCarthy Yoga) 3 times a week and try to get one other work out in. May to September we swim every day in our pool. I ride my bike outside when I can, but this is the thing that has slipped off mostly because swimming is so much easier on the body.

I want to continue this level in 2021 and DH does a lot of it with me, so this is good for him too.