I'd like input about the types of exercises you do, how often and for how long. I'm working on tai chi right now. Has anyone done it or doing it now. They say it's good for mood disturbance and also arthritis. My biggest problem with any exercise is inconsistency. Are there certain times of the day you exercise? I think it's best for me in the morning between 9 and l0 and walk my dog in the eve. usually. I only walk my dog l0-15 min. When I go on the treadmill it's usally about l5 min. unless I'd find a really interesting book. Tai Chi is best morning and eve. maybe before bed. If you're consistent enough do you eventually enjoy it. I know I would enjoy walking more if I had someone to walk with. Next Mon. I will have someone from the class go walking afterward. Well I look forward to hearing the diff. types of exercises and what works for you.

I walk between 5 and 10 miles per day--mostly at work. I do activities at a nursing home and I cover a lot of territory in an 8-hour day. But, then I come home and walk my dog several times each evening-half a mile at a time. In the winter or in bad weather, instead of walking my dog so far, I ride my exercise bike while listening to music or watching tv and I do some yoga or Pilates exercises. I also use my Thighmaster just for the heck of it.

What is a thighmaster? I used to have some kind of glider or ski thing much easier than a nordic track. I liked it cuz I was able to read. I'd like to get maybe an exercise bike again or this glider thing, something I could do while reading. I exercise downstairs no hookups for Tv. I could take a CD player tho. I listen to Joyce Meyer a lot or Christian music.

I really liked Yoga and used to do it with a friend. I have Rodney Yee's Yoga DVDs and we did the exercises at home in the evening. It really made a difference in feeling less stressed and getting toned up. My friend moved, so I quit. It just wasn't fun doing it alone, plus some of the positions were tricky and I would get stuck upside down and my friend used to help me out! We had fun.
P.S. I have a heel spur that prevents me from doing most exercises. I am having foot surgery in February, so I have to wait til next spring or summer to get back into an active exercise program. Bummer!

Barb,

I do Leslie Sansone "Walk Away the Pounds" walking DVD in the comfort of my home. I usually lower the TV volume and have music that gets me motivated playing in the background. When I was single and could afford it I was a health club member and would use the recumberant bicycles, bring a good book or magazine and pedal and read and that kept me going. I know just being in one place staring at a wall is SO challenging because of boredom. I would like to get a recumberant bike so I can sit, pedal and read, but that is out of our budget for now. Also I have "Shiva Dancing Yoga" DVD's (bought at Barnes & Noble) and those are intense and fast paced over regular yoga. GREAT for movement. As far as for doing it, I have trouble since I have homework and housework, so I try to incorporate excercise with cleaning house like power vacuuming (just vacuuming fast but going over spots to make sure all really is vacuumed, power scrubbing, power swiffer dusting which all is the same concept.) I also park in boofoo land at school or when shopping so I can power walk to the building. I also walk fast when grocery shopping. I TRY to do whatever I can as time is really not my own. Now I sit here waiting for a CD for school to burn. If your time is your own, commit the time to yourself and once it becomes a daily routine, you will feel as if you are missing out on something without it...my husband (lucky him) is at that point. Good luck in your excercise endeavors!

I just walk every day. I walk a lot. Sometimes I'll listen to music and other times I'll just think about whatever.

I also do Yoga. Yoga is amazing for stress relief.

That's it.

Barb G.--Hi! A Thighmaster is a product that was advertised on television a number of years ago by Suzanne Somers. It was created specifically for toning the thighs, but it also works great for other parts of the body. It's a low-impact type of exerciser. Hope this helps!

So many of you are talking about yoga. I did try a class one time. The moves seemed hard to me. Tai Chi I started but it's only one day a week for 45 min. I forget the moves. I got a video from the library but have been feeling really achy. Tai chi doesn't seem difficult so I doubt it could make me achy, or could it?

Hello Barb:

I exercise a little everyday. I started again back in Nov-2006. I had BUILD UP after a several yr absence, lol. However, 10 mths after having started again, I am going strong

While I am home & looking for a job again (progress & recovery), I wanted to utilize my time better - that included exercise. So, everday(mon-fri) I do the following: 1 hr on treadmill: 3.0 speed @ 5.0/5.5 incline & 1/2 hr in afternoon same thing. Yes, there are somedays that I may do 1 hr only - but everyday, its always something. In addition, on Sat & Sun: hubby & I go to the gym in morning hrs & I do elyptical trainer for 40min's - 1hr. Just this wk, having built up strength & motabilism during the past 10mths, I started doing weights as well. In addition, particularly as its still light outside later, we go to the park & walk around the track there for 1/2 hr.

Yes, I'm losing weight - which is always cool, lol. But, the biggest benefit is mentally & emotionally. When I go back to work, I'd love to try BEGINNERS YOGA - which I heard is phenominal for stress management. Barb, I made myself a promise: "I am experiencing some depress & on a med for it - no biggie. I promised myself - that everyday, I will always try to do a little something physical".

So, here's to ALL OF US EXERCISING & TAKING CARE OF OURSELVES - FOR JUST TRYING & DOING A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR "OURSELVES"!

LENORE



I'D RATHER CLIMB THE MOUNTAIN, THEN CRAWL IN THAT HOLE!

You people who are so FAITHFUL to exercise put me to shame. Lenore, I was doing l0 min. then maybe 20 now sometimes a half hr.either walking outside or the treadmill. I can't imagine l hr. unless I have a walking partner. When I have someone to talk to the time flies by faster. I've tried to talk hubby into it to no avail. He forever has excuses. Our kids bought us bikes a month or so ago. They sit in the garage. I keep thinking, what a waste. Wish they'd bought us a tree or shrub instead!! I'd like to sell them but that would be an insult. They said oh,we'll do family time together. Sure, when do they have time? I did take the bike for a spin one day. It was fun going down the hill but coming back up I couldn't even do it in the easiest speed. I ended up walking the bike home and felt like a fool. Well, even if I break up the exercise time and do half hr. in the morning and l0 min. at night walking the dog, it's better than not at all right? I like what Schnauzermom says about incorporating it with housework..vacuuming fast etc. Welll, I've got to force myself to keep on keeping on.

Everyday I do 30 minutes to 1hr on my exercize bike or the gazelle exercizer made by that exercize guru Tony Little. Once a week I'll work on my arms with light dumbbells because my arms are kind of large. I listen to music or watch a good movie while I work out. Sometimes I lose track of the time and work out too long. I love exercize !!!!!!!!!!!!!

DeeDee.