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Post by quark12000 on May 18, 2019 19:31:33 GMT
Might I ask what gym you belong to? My cousin's wife and friend go to Planet Fitness and rave about it. I used to belong to a small local private gym but the one I go to now is actually part of our work building for tenants of the building only. But it has all the same basics that a gym would have. I really enjoy heavy lifting and strength training and this little gym has all I need to accomplish that. Ah. Well, since I'm pretty much starting from scratch after years of being fairly sedentary, I think I want a structured program of some sort that tells me what I have to do and when. I know I should be starting slow, but other than that I've got very little idea of how to proceed. Walking would be okay, but where, how fast, etc.?
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Post by zazzles on May 18, 2019 20:01:11 GMT
Walking would be okay, but where, how fast, etc.? Start at a pace that is comfortable for you, and walk half the distance you feel you can—because you also have to walk back! Then gradually increase the distance. I started walking at the insistance of my doctor due to diabetes. I could barely walk 1/2 mile round trip in 30 minutes. I eventually got up to and, sometimes, beyond 3 miles per day in about an hour. After getting distance to what I felt was reasonable, I then worked on increasing pace. Depending on where you live and what support your town/city/county provides (if you’re a senior), you may find that there is a senior center outfitted with equipment and, generally, volunteers available to guide you in the use of the equipment and what is reasonable in trerms of effort. Perhaps fullmahina can chime in on your recent experience joining The Y. She has seemed happy with the experience and guidance available.
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Post by quark12000 on May 18, 2019 21:43:21 GMT
Walking would be okay, but where, how fast, etc.? Start at a pace that is comfortable for you, and walk half the distance you feel you can—because you also have to walk back! Then gradually increase the distance. I started walking at the insistance of my doctor due to diabetes. I could barely walk 1/2 mile round trip in 30 minutes. I eventually got up to and, sometimes, beyond 3 miles per day in about an hour. After getting distance to what I felt was reasonable, I then worked on increasing pace. Depending on where you live and what support your town/city/county provides (if you’re a senior), you may find that there is a senior center outfitted with equipment and, generally, volunteers available to guide you in the use of the equipment and what is reasonable in trerms of effort. Perhaps fullmahina can chime in on your recent experience joining The Y. She has seemed happy with the experience and guidance available. Not a senior just yet (54 in July).
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Post by zazzles on May 19, 2019 2:07:35 GMT
Our senior center lets residents 50 and older use the exercise facilities which includes a fabulous gym, a lap pool, a therapy pool, and another pool which I can’t remember the designation of.
At 60 we qualify to join the nutrition program to have a subsidized hot lunch five days a week.
But our city is rather progressive in its atrtitudes and programs.
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Post by fullmahina on May 19, 2019 12:43:07 GMT
Perhaps fullmahina can chime in on your recent experience joining The Y. She has seemed happy with the experience and guidance available. :::Chiming in::: First of all, I am nobody's definition of a gym rat. If you had told me years ago that I would ever even think of setting foot in a gym I would have said you were crazy. But I had to do something. After retirement I found myself sitting more, getting weaker, and even occasionally having balance issues. I did NOT want to age into a weak toddering senior who was prevented from doing the things she wanted to do simply because her muscles had wasted away. My health is relatively good and there was nothing stopping me from exercising except myself. Years ago I had been pretty good about doing home exercise (lots of videos, lol) but lately had not been consistent about doing any exercise at all. So I did some research and visited the local YMCA and the rest is history. Long story short, my DH and I joined. Our center has tons of weight-plate machines, cardio equipment, a weight room, a boxing room, and a lovely pool. There truly is something for everyone, even saunas. I will never be a group-exercise person but I LOVE the weight-plate and cardio machines. When I first joined I was given two free introductory sessions to learn the machines and get my personal settings. I have to admit that it sure looked intimidating in the beginning but now I whip around the circuit with reckless abandon, lol. I can feel such a difference after doing it for about five months (try to go at least twice weekly, shooting for a consistent three times weekly but life intervenes sometimes), especially in my back and shoulders. And I actually have big muscles in the backs of my legs, lol. Sure they are under a rather thick pad of fat but hey, I can feel them! There are plenty of group activities if you're into that. Yoga, spin classes, Zumba, Aquacize classes in the pool, pickleball in the gym, basketball. Maybe someday I'll venture into some of those things (who knows---I realize I said I'm not into group things but then again I never thought I would join a gym either) but right now I am loving the machines. I go at my own pace and have increased both the weights and the repetitions quite a bit since I started. Honestly, I am a bit surprised and delighted that I can do this stuff. When I first joined I thought I would be joining a "seniors" exercise class, maybe some pool exercise, but didn't see myself doing this. BTW, it is a totally no-shame environment. I am in there with other people of all shapes and sizes and all fitness levels. Everyone is in there for the same reason---to get more fit. I guess Planet Fitness has its fans but I don't think a place that has Free Pizza and Free Bagel days and candy at the check-in counter would be a place for me. Fun, I guess, but I needed to get serious.
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Post by alias123 on May 19, 2019 14:10:15 GMT
So I did some research and visited the local YMCA and the rest is history. I am another huge fan of the Y. I love the group classes and the new friends I've made there. They have classes for people of all abilities. From chair classes all the way up to intense classes. In each class you will see people of all shapes, sizes, and ages. My Y also has an Olympic pool where you can swim laps, take a water aerobic class and at certain times do your own thing like walk in the pool. They will teach swimming for a fee. They also have a basketball court. They have a sauna and a steam room. They Y has showers and mine provides towels but not all Y's have free towels. Daily lockers are free. They also have for a fee lockers that you can keep you stuff at the Y. They have a wide range of exercise equipment (cardio and weights) and they are kept in good condition. When you join the Y, they will have someone go around with you and teach you how to use all the machines. If you prefer a personal trainer they have that also for a cost. They have free child care watch. If you need financial aid they have that also. I live in NYC and they also have the option that you can get a city wide membership and then you can attend any Y in NYC. So if you work in one area and live in another you can go to the gym that is most convenient for you. Some use this option because not all Y's have the same classes. I take a tap dance class in another Y because it isn't available at my Y. Speaking of classes they have them for all levels. So you can take a beginner spin, yoga, zumba, tai chi etc or a more advanced class. My Y is very open to new ideas from the members on classes. Because of that they gave us more dance classes and even a meditation class. Almost every month new classes are added to the schedule. Classes at my Y start around 6AM and run all day long until 9PM. My Y also participates in programs that have meetings and instruction for people who are pre-diabetic. There is another one for people who are dealing with cancer. The cancer program is called Live Strong. At times they also have seminars on how to eat well, how to deal with medicare, etc. I haven't attended these seminars but i know they are offered. This year they also gave free flu shots. They have all different types of events for kids, too. You can google your local Y and it should have a class schedule and info on line. If you go there they will give you a tour. All Y's are different but this is my NYC experience. I could go on and on, but suffice it to say, I love the Y ! My sister used to belong to Planet Fitness. They do not have classes. I've worked out there when visiting her. Her PF did have a nice range of machines. If you prefer to work out on your own and have no interest in classes, pool etc. This is a less expensive option. For me, the classes and the friends I've made at the Y are a huge motivating factor in getting me to the gym. Some have mentioned walking for exercise. Some Y's have walking clubs where they go for an exercise walk around town. I also have a Fitbit that counts my steps and I find that very motivating, too. Good luck !
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Post by DebDoesWW on May 19, 2019 14:18:20 GMT
quark12000, as others have said, the first couple of weeks it is not out of the realm of possibilities to see big drops. There are so many variables for this, but by the 3rd week expect to see the loses slow down to what has already been mentioned. This is actually a good thing, it isn't healthy to drop weight so quickly at a continued rate. Two pounds per week is perfect, great job!
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Post by fullmahina on May 19, 2019 14:21:32 GMT
Some have mentioned walking for exercise. Some Y's have walking clubs where they go for an exercise walk around town. My Y also has a small indoor track so if walking is your thing you're able to walk in any weather. It is around the perimeter of the big room that houses all the workout machines and I see a lot of people using it---I've even seen people using walkers and canes. They have a lane especially for those who want to run, too.
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Post by alias123 on May 19, 2019 14:29:33 GMT
My Y also has a small indoor track so if walking is your thing you're able to walk in any weather. It is around the perimeter of the big room that houses all the workout machines and I see a lot of people using it---I've even seen people using walkers and canes. They have a lane especially for those who want to run, too. The Y where I take my tap class has that. I love it. I use it to warm up before class. Currently I walk around half of the track and then jog then second half. 10 laps = 1 mile.
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Post by finreporter on May 19, 2019 19:45:14 GMT
The Y sounds like a great idea! Sounds like it has something for all personal preferences and fitness levels.
As far as the walking goes, like Mike mentioned, go at the pace that is comfortable for you. Don't overthink it too much. Going out for a walk should be stress free and a place to let your mind relax. I tend to do all my walks in my own neighborhood but I also live in Los Angeles where the weather is always mild. No worrying about too cold during the winter or too hot in the summer. I also am fortunate to live right at the base of the Santa Monica mountains so our neighborhood starts gradually elevating upwards and I can get a good walk in with hills. I was so happy recently to find that although I normally don't get in the phone while on these walks, that during an impromptu call while I was on the walk I could talk the whole time with no problem and not even thinking about it. And I do some steep hills! The power of exercise and helping our muscles and lungs getting stronger!
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Post by quark12000 on May 25, 2019 14:25:13 GMT
Two more pounds this week. This weekend looks like a point buster though...
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Post by DebDoesWW on May 25, 2019 15:05:56 GMT
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Post by quark12000 on May 31, 2019 19:53:48 GMT
Down two more pounds, total of 21 so far.
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Post by jamescat1 on May 31, 2019 22:17:08 GMT
We no longer have a Y but when I turned 65 I went to a personal trainer. I am still embarrassed to go to the gym with large classes or large groups of people never overcoming my in adequacies in elementary school PE. I wouldn’t even go to the small gym on our cruise because other people would see me. Going to a trainer with only one or two other people helped me boost my confidence and competence and now I am going to a trainer again and I’m proud of the things I am able to do. I am almost 73. You have to feel right with what works for you. A friend who posted on a Facebook group mentioned Chasing Cupcakes by Elizabeth Benton. Her podcast is called Primal Potential. I just started listening but yesterday I heard number 600 and highly recommend it. She has great ideas for getting rid of negative thoughts and using words like only if your loss is not as high as you wanted. She doesn’t think we need books and plans because we know most of the information about weight loss and she compared it to birds who know how to fly without having a book to tell them what to do. We know how to Lose weight and it starts with the next bite of food we take not with the next day or the next meal.
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Post by quark12000 on Jun 8, 2019 4:49:00 GMT
Down four more. 215 from 240.
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