Wellness

[Skyegirl21]

Leslie Is wonderful IMO.  She is encouraging, kind, and her DVDs moves are safe.  Pick your schedule, and stick to it fiercely!  Best of health to you!  Skyegirl

[AngelPuppy1]

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@Skyegirl21 wrote:

Leslie Is wonderful IMO.  She is encouraging, kind, and her DVDs moves are safe.  Pick your schedule, and stick to it fiercely!  Best of health to you!  Skyegirl

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@Skyegirl21

Thank you!  Yes, she seems very motivating.  Doesn't scream and berate you.  Many thanks for the good wishes and I wish the same for you!!!  

[meem120]

Angel Puppy, its the Chair Gym Excerise System on the southern channel.  You can check some out on Amazon too. Just like a folding chair, with bands to strength train arms and legs, nothing crazy. Diffrent levels.  Easy place to start.  $99

[Tinkrbl44]

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@AngelPuppy1 wrote:

I know I need to check with my doctor first before beginning.  Those familiar with my posts know that I am 65, and not been able to exercise for a good while due to various health issues.  I am in need of something to do which will give me some sort of physical fitness.  I know I need to start slow.  I also need to lose a few pounds --- after holidays I gained a bit.  

I am not a swimmer and don't have access to a pool.  I used to walk a lot but haven't been able to since having a long-standing ankle issue.  I can now proceed with a bit of walking but not much.

Can anyone recommend any exercises, devices, equipment, or things that I could do or use?  With the new year I really want to do something to get me started slowly to improve my physical health, get some conditioning, firm up a bit and lose a bit of weight.

I would prefer to be able to do  things at home.

Any and all suggestions and tips would really be appreciated!!!!!  

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@AngelPuppy1

I didn't read every post, but wanted to share something that worked very well for a neighbor.    

She also used to walk a great deal but was sidelined and needed to get back into it slowly.    Her solution was to "walk laps" in a retail environment.   Go to a large store .... Walmart, Target, Costco or whatever.   Take a shopping cart which then becomes a "walker alternative" and is something to lean on and give you balance while taking steps around the store, up and down the aisles, and back around the store.   You get the idea.   To everyone else, it just looks like a shopping cart, of course.  

You can then "graduate" to walking laps in a shopping mall.  Most of them have benches for when you need to sit and rest temporarily before starting again.   The benefits are that you can walk in a warm, safe environment with a ladies room nearby and usually security guards on the premises.  No broken sidewalk to trip on, and no chance of walking too far and then finding nowhere to rest when you need to.

It helps to wear a pedometer to count steps.  Many fitness experts recommend getting 10,000 steps a day, but that's too much for someone just starting out.  Nevertheless, it'll help you keep track of your walking.

I know you said you'd prefer something at home, but the shopping cart laps exercising is a great way to get started, especially if you live in a cold climate.   HTH !!

[Tinkrbl44]

@AngelPuppy1

OH !!!    I thought of another thing I've used when I was travelling for business every week.  

I always packed a couple empty water bottles in my suitcase.   When I got to my room, I'd fill them with water and ... viola !! .... instant free weights!    They work fine as weights, and then when I was done, I'd empty the bottles and shove them into a corner of my bag.  

Since they come in 12, 16 or 24 ounce sizes, or larger,  it's possible to increase the weight when you're ready.  No need to purchase weights when you can use water bottles!   

[AngelPuppy1]

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@meem120 wrote:

Angel Puppy, its the Chair Gym Excerise System on the southern channel.  You can check some out on Amazon too. Just like a folding chair, with bands to strength train arms and legs, nothing crazy. Diffrent levels.  Easy place to start.  $99

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@meem120

Thanks for suggesting this!

[AngelPuppy1]

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@Tinkrbl44 wrote:

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@AngelPuppy1 wrote:

I know I need to check with my doctor first before beginning.  Those familiar with my posts know that I am 65, and not been able to exercise for a good while due to various health issues.  I am in need of something to do which will give me some sort of physical fitness.  I know I need to start slow.  I also need to lose a few pounds --- after holidays I gained a bit.  

I am not a swimmer and don't have access to a pool.  I used to walk a lot but haven't been able to since having a long-standing ankle issue.  I can now proceed with a bit of walking but not much.

Can anyone recommend any exercises, devices, equipment, or things that I could do or use?  With the new year I really want to do something to get me started slowly to improve my physical health, get some conditioning, firm up a bit and lose a bit of weight.

I would prefer to be able to do  things at home.

Any and all suggestions and tips would really be appreciated!!!!!  

---

@AngelPuppy1

I didn't read every post, but wanted to share something that worked very well for a neighbor.    

She also used to walk a great deal but was sidelined and needed to get back into it slowly.    Her solution was to "walk laps" in a retail environment.   Go to a large store .... Walmart, Target, Costco or whatever.   Take a shopping cart which then becomes a "walker alternative" and is something to lean on and give you balance while taking steps around the store, up and down the aisles, and back around the store.   You get the idea.   To everyone else, it just looks like a shopping cart, of course.  

You can then "graduate" to walking laps in a shopping mall.  Most of them have benches for when you need to sit and rest temporarily before starting again.   The benefits are that you can walk in a warm, safe environment with a ladies room nearby and usually security guards on the premises.  No broken sidewalk to trip on, and no chance of walking too far and then finding nowhere to rest when you need to.

It helps to wear a pedometer to count steps.  Many fitness experts recommend getting 10,000 steps a day, but that's too much for someone just starting out.  Nevertheless, it'll help you keep track of your walking.

I know you said you'd prefer something at home, but the shopping cart laps exercising is a great way to get started, especially if you live in a cold climate.   HTH !!

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@Tinkrbl44

Yes, thank you.  I did used to walk at the mall sometimes when I was able.  I didn't mind that.  I just don't want any gym things.  The idea of the cart is good, would give stability also! 

[AngelPuppy1]

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@Tinkrbl44 wrote:

@AngelPuppy1

OH !!!    I thought of another thing I've used when I was travelling for business every week.  

I always packed a couple empty water bottles in my suitcase.   When I got to my room, I'd fill them with water and ... viola !! .... instant free weights!    They work fine as weights, and then when I was done, I'd empty the bottles and shove them into a corner of my bag.  

Since they come in 12, 16 or 24 ounce sizes, or larger,  it's possible to increase the weight when you're ready.  No need to purchase weights when you can use water bottles!   

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@Tinkrbl44

That's very clever!  You can easily customize them, too!  Thanks!  

[walkingal]

Walking is always good.  It's great for firming the tummy and mid-section (my problem areas), and it gets the circulation going.  I see you mentioned mall walking.  I like that too.  I have no interest in going to gyms or swimming.  The last thing I want to do is put on a bathing suit!  lol!  My favorite way to workout is DVDs.  Since you haven't exercised in a while, I recommend the Absolute Beginners and Sue Grant's Older & Wiser DVDs.  They're gentle but very thorough.  Check them out at your library or at Collage Video.  At College Video, they're listed under the Seniors workouts.  Leslie Sansone is good, but even with some of her one mile walks, I have to slow it down.