(no subject)
I joined a gym* recently. With my work schedule (12-hour shifts), going to the gym on a work day isn't feasible (and yes, I did try for a few weeks), so I've now set up a schedule/exercise routine that is doable. I don't know if I will actually lose weight, but at least I'm getting more exercise.**
I've started doing yoga, which I hope will help with my balance and flexibility. I've had one bad fall and several scary ones in the past decade, and my mother had numerous bad falls in her later years, and that was what ultimately killed her, so improving my balance is a definite goal. I tried 3 different classes and finally found one which is good for beginners. The teacher very clearly explains what to do with each arm/leg/whatever that you are to move, and she also barks out options for more advanced students as well. And her music isn't overwhelming. (The worst class I attended was the one where the teacher was playing '70s pop music too loudly. Roberta Flack was wailing about being killed softly as I was trying to make out what the teacher was saying - the teacher had a strong Chinese accent and was using a lot of yoga-specific vocabulary. I wasn't sure if the words I was missing were common English or yoga terms as I couldn't make out what she was saying against the din.)
The class I'm sticking with is, unfortunately, at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning. The teacher also has a Chinese accent (par for the course where I live), but I have no difficulty understanding her and when she uses a yoga term, she says it after she has explained what is to be done. (The "unfortunately" part comes in because my women's faith-sharing group meets at 9 on Saturdays. This means I'm a few minutes late for that all the time. But the gym and the church are only 3 blocks apart and half the church ladies come late. I just hate to be late for anything.)
On Friday and Sunday, I use the weight machines and swim 10 laps in the big pool. There's a 20-minute time limit on a lane when the pool is busy, so 10 is about all I can do in that time period. And it's enough for now. I hadn't swam in over 30 years, so the first time I only did 5 laps. I got goggles, since I don't like water splashing in my eyes, so now I can open my eyes underwater. Now I'm working on trying to coordinate my breathing for the normal face-in-the-water crawl stroke. (I'm more comfortable with backstroke and side stroke - your face is out of the water.) I get more of a cardio work out with the crawl, so I am trying to work that in more. (I do a combination of strokes in my 10 laps.)
Considering I do not like to get wet*** or change my clothes, the fact that I'm choosing swimming as my exercise is mildly ironic. On the plus side is that it does not bother my bursitis, so I'm hoping to get strong enough that the bursitis is no longer an issue.
But hey, if they ever come up with a way to swim without getting wet, I am so there!
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*My company has a new benefit. They will pay up to $120 a quarter for gym membership (your gym has to be on the list), reimbursing you into your health savings account.
**I have not been bike riding much because my right leg has been bad. I'm never sure if I can trust it so I'm not keen to go on a long bike ride.
***And this is such a production - I have to have exercise clothes, swim suit, sandals (since I'm flat footed and can't walk barefoot), bath towel, bag for wet things, and all the shower stuff (soap, swimmers' shampoo, conditioner). I come with two bags of stuff on swimming days. If I don't get the chlorine smell off of me, our little cat lets me know.
I've started doing yoga, which I hope will help with my balance and flexibility. I've had one bad fall and several scary ones in the past decade, and my mother had numerous bad falls in her later years, and that was what ultimately killed her, so improving my balance is a definite goal. I tried 3 different classes and finally found one which is good for beginners. The teacher very clearly explains what to do with each arm/leg/whatever that you are to move, and she also barks out options for more advanced students as well. And her music isn't overwhelming. (The worst class I attended was the one where the teacher was playing '70s pop music too loudly. Roberta Flack was wailing about being killed softly as I was trying to make out what the teacher was saying - the teacher had a strong Chinese accent and was using a lot of yoga-specific vocabulary. I wasn't sure if the words I was missing were common English or yoga terms as I couldn't make out what she was saying against the din.)
The class I'm sticking with is, unfortunately, at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning. The teacher also has a Chinese accent (par for the course where I live), but I have no difficulty understanding her and when she uses a yoga term, she says it after she has explained what is to be done. (The "unfortunately" part comes in because my women's faith-sharing group meets at 9 on Saturdays. This means I'm a few minutes late for that all the time. But the gym and the church are only 3 blocks apart and half the church ladies come late. I just hate to be late for anything.)
On Friday and Sunday, I use the weight machines and swim 10 laps in the big pool. There's a 20-minute time limit on a lane when the pool is busy, so 10 is about all I can do in that time period. And it's enough for now. I hadn't swam in over 30 years, so the first time I only did 5 laps. I got goggles, since I don't like water splashing in my eyes, so now I can open my eyes underwater. Now I'm working on trying to coordinate my breathing for the normal face-in-the-water crawl stroke. (I'm more comfortable with backstroke and side stroke - your face is out of the water.) I get more of a cardio work out with the crawl, so I am trying to work that in more. (I do a combination of strokes in my 10 laps.)
Considering I do not like to get wet*** or change my clothes, the fact that I'm choosing swimming as my exercise is mildly ironic. On the plus side is that it does not bother my bursitis, so I'm hoping to get strong enough that the bursitis is no longer an issue.
But hey, if they ever come up with a way to swim without getting wet, I am so there!
=====================
*My company has a new benefit. They will pay up to $120 a quarter for gym membership (your gym has to be on the list), reimbursing you into your health savings account.
**I have not been bike riding much because my right leg has been bad. I'm never sure if I can trust it so I'm not keen to go on a long bike ride.
***And this is such a production - I have to have exercise clothes, swim suit, sandals (since I'm flat footed and can't walk barefoot), bath towel, bag for wet things, and all the shower stuff (soap, swimmers' shampoo, conditioner). I come with two bags of stuff on swimming days. If I don't get the chlorine smell off of me, our little cat lets me know.