different strokes for different folks

[Guest guest]

and different exercise goals for different ages and needs.

from <A HREF= " http://www.fitnesslink.com/wellness/fifty.shtml " >FitnessLink -

Fitness After Fifty</A>

http://www.fitnesslink.com/wellness/fifty.shtml

Fitness After Fifty

--by Joan Price

© Joan Price. May not be reprinted without permission.

We want both less and more from our exercise as we get older. We want less

joint stress, less impact, and less pain. We want more stress reduction, more

immediate feelings of well-being, more variety, and more information. In the

past maybe we worked out just to burn fat and look good. These are still

important issues, but now we also know the value of exercise for longevity,

vitality, and mental alertness.

We want exercise that's fun but which also translates to real-life needs.

We've heard it helps everything mental and physical, from strong hearts,

muscles, and bones, to mental productivity and good sex. And it's the best

way to keep the aging process at a slow crawl.

We can't pretend that the same exercises that raised our heart rates in our

twenties are ideal for us now. Our joints and backs are getting older, and

we've got to treat them with special care if we want to stay mobile and

independent into our (much) later years. Still we don't want to go from

high-impact to armchair aerobics--is there something in between? How can we

tell if the exercise program we're getting into is right for us, or

potentially will do more harm than good?

Here are some ideas for choosing the right program and abandoning the wrong

ones:

Remember the number one rule: If it hurts, don't do it. Modify or avoid those

movements. If you have bad knees, avoid movements where you twist or change

directions quickly. If your back is over forty, choose movements done with a

neutral spine (not rounded, arched, or twisted).

If you're taking a class or hiring a trainer, be sure your instructor is

certified and experienced with your age group. Look for a certified fitness

leader who keeps up-to-date by taking continuing education classes and

attending professional conferences.

High-impact aerobics and running may not be comfortable for you now, but low

impact does not have to mean low intensity. Many aerobic dance and step

classes optimally use the large muscles for fatburning and cardiovascular

conditioning. If you do step aerobics, be sure the instructor (or video) uses

music slow enough for you to put your foot all the way down when you step off

the platform. Staying on your toes because the music is too fast risks injury

to your foot or leg.

Get the right shoes for your activity. Our feet, ankles, shins and knees are

more vulnerable now. Protect them with shoes that cushion and stabilize your

feet and absorb shock during the specific motions of your activity. Get

walking shoes for walking, aerobics shoes for aerobics, and so on. Try on

shoes in the afternoon, since your feet are biggest at that time. You don't

have to " break in " athletic shoes any more--they should feel great right out

of the box.

Drink enough water. Our thirst mechanism doesn't work as well when we get

older. To be sure you're drinking enough--1 to 1 1/2 quarts a day--keep a

water bottle with you and take a long drink every 10 minutes when you

exercise and frequently throughout the day.

For your bones' sake, strength-train. You can use weights, machines, bands,

or any other activity that makes your muscles lift, push, pull, or otherwise

resist a force. This will help keep your bones dense and muscles strong,

keeping you active and independent for the future. Building more muscle will

also help you manage your weight.

Start slow and steady. If you're just starting out, be patient with yourself.

Start with light intensity, such as moderate walking or aqua aerobics, and

build up your stamina before you push yourself harder. You don't have to

exercise vigorously to start getting benefits. Any amount of exercise yields

tremendous health benefits compared to being sedentary. Exercise is a

process. You have the rest of your life to perfect it.

--Joan Price (www.joanprice.com) is the author of The Complete Idiot's Guide

to Online Health & Fitness (with Entin) , The Complete Idiot's Guide

to Online Medical Resources, and Joan Price Says, Yes, You CAN Get in Shape!

She is Chairman of the Board of Advisors and Vice President, Programs, of

Wellcoaches.com, helping clients reach their fitness and wellness goals by

providing online personal coaches.

January 1997

[Guest guest]

and different exercise goals for different ages and needs.

You know, I feel like I have to say something about this. Saying that people have different fitness goals is something totally different from saying a person is "abusing their body." I am sure you didn't mean it in an offensive way Barb, but that is the way I took it. I spent years being over weight, out of shape, and depressed. Three years ago, I would have never dreamed that I would be where I am today. It still amazes me that I have dedicated myself to this marathon training. I am doing all I can to make my body healthy and strong to carry me through this marathon and the rest of my life. And to have it implied that I am "abusing my body" is very hurtful. Maybe a marathon is not one of your goals, but that doesn't mean that it is a bad thing. Once again, I know you weren't trying to be offensive, but I just felt like I had to make my feelings known.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/09/2000 1:25:29 PM Eastern Standard Time,

Agaw12577@... writes:

> You know, I feel like I have to say something about this. Saying that

people

> have different fitness goals is something totally different from saying a

> person is " abusing their body. " I am sure you didn't mean it in an

offensive

>

> way Barb, but that is the way I took it. I spent years being over weight,

> out

> of shape, and depressed. Three years ago, I would have never dreamed that

I

> would be where I am today. It still amazes me that I have dedicated myself

> to

> this marathon training. I am doing all I can to make my body healthy and

> strong to carry me through this marathon and the rest of my life. And to

> have

> it implied that I am " abusing my body " is very hurtful. Maybe a marathon

is

> not one of your goals, but that doesn't mean that it is a bad thing. Once

> again, I know you weren't trying to be offensive, but I just felt like I

had

>

> to make my feelings known.

>

>

I don't see how you interpreted my personal opinion of the quote which

appears below as being offensive. I already deal with enough pain on a daily

basis and try to use exercise to relieve it, not add to it. It is a line I

can easily cross being an overachiever so I am constantly consciously

reminding myself of my own goals.

Well, as long as we are making feelings known, here it goes ...

Sometimes there seems to be a striving for acute pain on this list like who

can hurt the most after the most workouts at the WTC.

Ironically, 20 years ago, I'd probably be right in the thick of it.

For now, I'm not a professional athlete and don't intend on becoming one and

am content to just do my own modified Tae-Bo, loosen my joints and energize

my body.

Maybe I'm just too old and over the hill but at least, I have exercised

regularly since 5/99 without a serious injury or setback so keeping focused

on my own goal has kept me motivated.

Actually, the closest I came to quitting and losing my focus was just after

qvc when my physical limitations became more obvious so I have decided to

listen to my body and skip the WTC classes because I don't see how it will

help my own fitness journey.

Hopefully, fate will enable me to meet folks in real life that I have met

thru this list and Tae-Bo in other ways without risking my own health or

motivation.

If my opinions have offended anyone, I apologize

I will also make an effort to share them less rather than risk hurting others.

We each have to find our own niche and what is best for our own individual

needs. I hope everyone finds theirs as I have found mine.

<< " pride last longer than the pain " >>

personally, I rather choose less pain and still have the confidence I made

the right decision not to abuse my body but can understand the younger folks

having different goals

Barb

whose goal is to feel good

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/9/2000 3:07:30 PM Eastern Standard Time,

Horsemom2@... writes:

<< so I have decided to

listen to my body and skip the WTC classes because I don't see how it will

help my own fitness journey.

Hopefully, fate will enable me to meet folks in real life that I have met

thru this list and Tae-Bo in other ways without risking my own health or

motivation. >>

Barb, please don't rule out the WTC. If you have the chance to go there,

treat it like you do any exercise tape, i.e., modify and exercise to your own

speed and preferences. Lots of people there do it. I suggest going to a WTC

class just for the experience, notwithstanding your fitness journey. I think

you would get a real kick out it. A live class is a lot more fun than QVC.

The WTC is much smaller and personable. You can pick any instructor you

want. Nobody is choreographing a show, ... . I treat the whole WTC thing as

a wonderful experience to be with my taebo friends and take in the whole

and taebo atmosphere.

Elena

[Guest guest]

Agaw12577@... wrote:

It

still amazes me that I have dedicated myself to

this marathon

training. I am doing all I can to make my body healthy and

strong

to carry me through this marathon and the rest of my life.

, you are doing great and I am so proud of you, you are an

inspiration to many people.

I must say years after my marathons, it still amazes me that I ever

did one so I know you can do it. I was never a long distance runner,

I trained hard and was ready on marathon day, that is what gets you to

the finish line. Hard work and determination, you have to believe you can

do it and you will.

When I mentioned the quote from Runnersworld, "pride last longer than

the pain", I am sure the person meant good pain, not pain that is from

being injured or from not training properly. Marathons are painful,

believe me but you get through the pain if you are well trained.

The last 6 miles is a mind game, you know you can do it and you have to

positively reinforce yourself along the way. You will pull

from your inner being to finish but it is well worth it and my guess is

you'll be planning your second marathon shortly after your first....of

course, nothing like the thrill of your first marathon medal.

The pride you feel when you cross that line is hard to describe and

it is a pride that will stay with you forever.

I am sure you felt the pride after your long weekend at WTC so

you have an idea what it is like.

I am excited for you, keep up the good work and congratulations on

changes you have made over the last couple years.

Love ya,

Phyllis

[Guest guest]

<<I don't see how you interpreted my personal opinion of the quote

which appears below as being offensive.>>

The quote came out of running world. I assumed that you were

discussing marathons. If I misread what you said, I apologize.

<<Well, as long as we are making feelings known, here it goes ...

Sometimes there seems to be a striving for acute pain on this list

like who can hurt the most after the most workouts at the WTC.>>

We had the once in a lifetime chance to have free classes. The WTC

center was on a condensed schedule that didn't allow us to space the

workouts out as much as we would have liked to. I wanted to

experience as many different instructors as possible. That is why I

took the classes I did. There was never a competition to see who

could hurt the most. I don't think that anyone is striving for pain.

A lot of us are striving to improve our fitness levels, but not for

pain.

<<If my opinions have offended anyone, I apologize

I will also make an effort to share them less rather than risk

hurting others.>>

I don't think you should have to stop sharing your opinions Barb. I

have met you in person and thought you were delightful. But sometimes

you come across (online) as saying " my way is the only right way. " We

are all at different levels and we all have different goals. So there

may be people here working out at a level that you wouldn't chose to.

But that person may have a different goal than you. That doesn't mean

that person is wrong or striving for pain. That is all that I was

saying. I don't want a minor issue to turn into a big argument, so

I'll drop the subject. I don't have any hard feelings and I hope you

feel the same.

[Guest guest]

> Sometimes there seems to be a striving for acute pain on this list

like who

> can hurt the most after the most workouts at the WTC.

Barb,

Like you said we are all different and we all have different fitness

goals. Personally, my ultimate goal is to one day become a part of

Team Tae-Bo at the advanced level and what that means is that I am

going to have to be in some serious physical shape. Does that mean

that some days I will endure pain from my workouts.....absolutely!

Does it mean I am " abusing my body " .....absolutely not! This past

time that Susi and I went to the WTC...we were extremely sensible and

only did one workout each day! I was still incredibly sore when I

left! But, I was sore in a good way. Sore to the point that I knew

I had really worked my muscles and that I was getting stronger and

more fit. Sore because I had pushed myself a little farther than I

thought I could and sore because I was personally working with

Blanks. To me, pushing my limits and testing myself are not

about " abusing my body " , but about seeing what I am capable of and

learning and growing both emotionally and physically! I spent years

exercising compulsively and there is a great difference between

killing yourself and setting a specific goal for yourself and putting

in the time and training necessary to reach that goal! To me, it is

necessary to push myself at times to see where I stand and to

continually improve my physical stamina. So, there will be days when

I am sore and tired after a workout, and for me that's ok because of

my personal goals!

I still think that you should go to the WTC and do a workout there!

It's nothing like QVC in terms of feeling that pressure of being on

tv and having to speak about yourself and I really think you would

love the workouts! People there modify the workouts all the time,

which is why those workouts are great for the fittest people, as well

as for those people just starting out! As long as you are aware of

your own body (which you are) and don't lose sight of your own

personal fitness goals (which you won't)...you will have an excellent

time

I don't think that you intentionally meant to offend anyone with your

comments. But, I can also see how thought you might be

equating

our marathon training with abusing our bodies. Sometimes we

interpret things one way, when in fact, they might have meant

something else entirely! I hope that you continue to express your

opinions here...you

have helped a lot of people! I think one of the reasons this is such

a great group is because of the fact that we are all at different

stages of our journey! We can all learn from each other a little bit

as long as we realize that we each have individual goals, and

therefore, will at times have different viewpoints

[Guest guest]

When I suggested to my now husband two years ago that we co-train for a

marathon together he thought I was crazy. He thought it was too far and too

much for the human body to adore. May I point out that my husband is a Marine

Officer....the branch who started the saying " No pain, no gain " . I have since

convinced him

likewise even though he still refuses to train with me. If we just take a

moment to think about where humans have come from , we would realize how

physically inferior we are to many of our ancestors who traveled miles and

miles a day across the plains, or carried 50-60 pounds of goods to market

miles away, etc., 26 miles is a lot to us now, but it is not impossible nor

is it not attainable without sacrifice to our health...if adequate time is

given to training. The human body and spirit are both incredible things.

Yes, we have limits, but there are times when we have to think " Am I making

an excuse, or am I just being cautious? " . The answer to that question is very

different for each of us.....and we have to remember that.

I really learned that lesson after the last trip to LA. I have always been

the sick girl who couldn't do thing because of this or that. The truth is...I

am not that sick anymore and sometimes I just use it as an excuse and I know

I used it as an excuse during the last impact class......and I feel horrible

about it it. I can do better than that and I know I can...I just wasn't

mentally ready too. But, if I were different...older, maybe with different

medical conditions etc....my caution would have been reasonable. We have to

make the judgments of what is good for us and what is not on an individual

basis.

Some diets say ... that apples and bananas are a detriment to loosing

weight....you know what I say? I say " Phbtttttt!!!!!!! " I love them both and

they are very healthy for me. Its my life and my body and it is in the range

of healthy and doable so it is my course of action.

It took me a long time to realize that when the Marines say " No pain, No

Gain " they don't mean excruciating pain, they mean test yourself, push

yourself beyond what you thought you could do. A good workout may not always

be comfortable, it won't kill you, but it will take everything you have deep

down inside to keep going.

Who has been doing lots of squats lately ...even though it makes her buns

sore :-)