Looking for (online) exercise buddies!

I am recovering from spinal cord surgery so my mobility and use of my hands is limited but I would like to start exercising to build my strength

I discovered qigong about 4 and 1/2 years ago and I’m so glad that I did. It’s helped me with stress, depression and it can actually heal a lot of things. It’s the cultivation of life force energy and it’s been around for 5000 years.

Since Covid happened a lot of classes have gone to zoom and so I’ve been able to take classes from the best qigong masters around the world without leaving my home.

Movements are gentle and easy and can have great benefits for the body.
I’m in my second round of caregiving so I know what kind of stress that can entail. Beside faith, qigong has been a lifeline for me.

OK, back in the saddle again after a couple of weeks of virtually no exercise due to combo of shingles vax fatigue and minor dental surgery. Went for a short, peaceful “soul stroll” last night and did a few kettlebell swings this morning.

The first of the shingles series whipped me, too! Second one not bad at all.

Still walking halls. Winds finally starting to lessen while warming up.

I find I'm sleeping better with my 20,000 steps per day and physically I've actually grown accustomed to needing that, but some days getting those steps in is HARD! For instance this morning I did 30 minutes of aerobics which netted me 4000 steps and my daily walk to the end of town and back will add about 7000. That leaves a whole lot of steps to make up. Days when I get a phone call from sister are better because I can easily rack up thousands when I pace while talking, but otherwise even doing a second round of aerobics in the afternoon won't get me there.

Now that Spring is coming to our part of the world I want to encourage all you caregivers to get outside, even if all you can manage is a few minutes. Fresh air and exercise reduce stress, it's good for the soul!

Added a 3rd (brief) type of kettlebell exercise this morning. It felt good! Getting a bit stronger little by little.

CW, I thought it was you.... You have worked hard, you deserve that Big Mac!

I'm still walking with Leslie Sansone and I never would have believed that something so low key and so simple could have so much benefit. ❤🧡❤💖
I figured if I can do a work out in my home then I could probably handle a little jogging on the trails and was shocked that I was able to keep going at a steady "walk at home" pace for the 30 minutes it took to do the entire loop I usually walk, and I wasn't even winded. I have been trying to reach this level for years and had pretty much given up hope of ever improving, this has been a real game changer for me!

I had to scroll back to see who had recommended Leslie's videos - many thanks to Grandmaofeight!

Maybe I will enjoy these videos by Leslie Sansone.
I can do 15 minutes.
Noticed the videos are older, 3 rs., 5 yrs., 7 years.

If my dH will do it with me, maybe he will like it if we play the repetitive e-music he likes.

Send - look for the beginner playlist, it starts with just 5 minutes and then has a couple of slower paced 15 minute workouts.

Oh here, I'll save you the search and link it

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-8fyND0sPmNQt4GdHzDNbAgwhrTXUzO5

CWillie,
Thank you! I could not do even 3 minutes, feeling very weak in the 100 degree heat.
Taking a nap until it cools off more.

Needing more salads, less tamales.

I will save the resource, but if you want to keep talking about the exercise videos again later, that will remind me when I get a news feed notification from the "Exercise Buddies" thread.

I was doing so good with my long walks until all these muscle and joint problems raised their ugly heads. But I'm not going to give up. I'm going to get better and get back out there again as soon as I can.

Good on ya Willie!

Any summertime exercisers out there?

Walking around the neighborhood?

Doing a quick plank or a few squats?

A few favorite yoga poses or stretches?

YouTube fitness videos (such as Leslie Sansone Walk at Home videos as mentioned below, or JJ Virgin or Denise Austin, etc.)?

Breathing/relaxation exercises?

I myself am getting back to my morning kettlebell mini-workout after a brief 2nd shingles shot hiatus. Now working up to more reps for each exercise!

I'm still walking with Leslie and getting my daily steps around the town too, I've even gotten a few more runs in. Good thing too because my diet has gone to xxxx, real food has gone up in price but all the snacks seem to be on sale and despite what I tell myself I can't eat just one.

I have a gym membership which includes the use of the swimming pool. I try going at least 2 times a week. However, I just picked up another part time job which has kept me busy. But I will go back to the gym tomorrow.

That second shingles shot threw me for a loop too!

Try to get 6,000 steps a day, four is seven isn't too bad.

I looked for an online dance exercise video and found one linked to the NHS website (?!) - suitable for all abilities, it said. Er...

It was great fun, I loved it, but as they say: "dance like no one can see you."

Now you have me curious and looking for the video CM 🤣. Their videos all seem to be rather long for beginners, 30 and 45 minutes!

I've found that anything led by someone under the age of 40 is invariably going to be too intense no matter how it is labelled, and anything labelled for seniors is going to be incredibly uninspiring. And I don't like videos with a single person demonstrating the moves nearly as much as those with a group, preferably one that has all sizes and abilities taking part. Many of Leslie's videos have groups of uber fit women (perfectly coiffed with expertly applied makeup) and I find myself wanting to reach through the screen and slap them upside the head.... friggin show offs.

Here we are, I've even bookmarked it - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-fitness-studio/dance-la-bomba/

I confess that I stopped when she announced the half-time break, and I further confess that quite a lot of the 25-30 minutes was spent in hysterics while I tried to follow her boogying right and left and it was all I could do not to fall over - but! Definitely worked up a sweat, and will definitely try again. I like the way she says don't worry about it, just go for it.

I had no idea I'd become so hopelessly uncoordinated, though :(

Oh my, that starts out looking easy but sure goes crazy at around minute 10 - kudos to you for lasting as long as you did 😂

Terry Fox 5K run today. It's just a show up and do it any way you want to fun run so no pressure, but I'm hoping to be able to run the whole distance!

I did the 5K (maybe slightly more, the route was flexible) in 51 minutes, and I don't care that the web says that's a good walking speed 😠🙄.

Yay, Cwillie! That is great.

I’m getting my walks in and staying with the kettlebell.

First day of Autumn is Thursday, September 22. Anyone else exercising their way into Fall? 😊🍁🍂

I've started doing my walks again now that's it's cooler out. :)

Yesterday was the first time in a couple weeks I actually felt like getting my 6,000 steps in. Did it again today. The Covid fatigue and malaise is very real. Back to work tomorrow.

Kudos to all of you! Awesome work!!!

Glad -happy you are feeing better. 😊

I sent myself into PEM -post exertional malaise of CFS/FM - by doing too many squats, so slow and easy does it now. You don't know where the limits are unless you test them.

Haven't done much at all since covid. Trying to get started again. Part G will pay for a gym membership, must check into that.

Then I found with Advantage Plans you can get a free fitbit every two years. I have Part G supplement that I pay for and not free with that plan that I can find. That seems odd and unfair.

Get your snow shovels out Glad... you'll get lots of free exercise in the fresh air ❄️🤣

Thank goodness I am not in northern New York. Five feet of snow in 24 hours?! That lake effect snow is no joke!

Buffalo Bills game moved to Cleveland.