Fitness for us over 50 group

SparkPoints: (3,645)
Fitness Minutes: (1,320)
Posts: 104
9/6/11 4:13 P

That sounds like sound advice. I am getting over a left knee replacement and I broke my ankle in March and got the cast off in May. I have been trying to increase activity other than housework but believe me it does give me a work out........and I am still having great difficulty doing stairs..........and I find now that I am over (50) which I can't believe either lol I just don't bounce back as quickly any more.

SparkPoints: (39,703)
Fitness Minutes: (22,425)
Posts: 1,267
9/6/11 12:31 P

I don't think that SP has a different fitness plan for people of different weights. It's all the same. Find some activity that elevates your heart-rate to 100 or more and do it for more than 10 minutes. Whatever you do, that is a workout. Maybe it's cleaning house. Maybe it's walking to and from your car at work.

Then, realize your body will adapt and become more efficient at what you throw at it, so add variety.

Realize as well that you will get stronger and able to do more as you slowly go forward, so don't forget to increase your time spent exercising.

Lastly, don't forget to be sensitive to pain lasting more that a few hours after exercise. If you have it, layoff a few days. Be sensitive to your overall energy level, too.

Do you have clearance from your doctor to exercise? Did they have any exercise suggestions?

Consistency over time with this and you'll be amazed!!!

SparkPoints: (3,645)
Fitness Minutes: (1,320)
Posts: 104
9/6/11 12:19 P

Yes my sisters' pool has been great. I have several work-out tapes to use as well. I even won a 3 month fitness trial at a local place. I imagine that I will be at my healthiest soon........
Can't wait to dance again.

Posts: 599
9/6/11 7:36 A

If you have a pool available it would be one of the best choices. It would give you the aspect of weightlessness on your joints as you begin your journey.

Just met a woman at the Y the other day, she had been out of shape and her Dr. had her start swimming. She is now doing laps. At first she said she could not even do 1/2 a lap. Even walking in the pools is a start.

The good thing for us couch potatoes is that when you start from zero anything is an improvement. LOL

Posts: 5,841
9/6/11 7:00 A

I found this difficult too. So far I have been walking and doing some very light dumbbells. Most of my walking is in the mall or in walmart, the shopping cart gives me stability. My next adventure is to start water aerobics for people of 50 at the YMCA. They take place twice a week. Once thing that I must find in order to stick to this long term is a walking buddy. I hope you find something that works for you.

SparkPoints: (3,645)
Fitness Minutes: (1,320)
Posts: 104
9/6/11 4:14 A

This site is amazing and offers so much support, information, instruction and encouragement it is impossible to fail if you use all it has to offer. I am looking for some different fitness tips for someone over 50 and not very fit anymore and weighing the most I have ever weighed. I have utilized the nutritional aspects of this site and need some ideas for the fitness side.