Exercise with a Purpose

Dear Babyboomers

I am a gym dropout as of last April, after fighting unsuccessfully with extreme boredom.

Also I didn't want to end up like today's picture!

My lack of motivation was made worse by the fact that my morning walks with G weren't happening as my flawed reasoning went like this - "I'm going to the gym so I don't need to walk." (Didn't want to end up looking like today's picture.) I would dutifully don my gym clothes, which gave the impression of good intention, but unfortunately would still be in them, gymless at the end of the day.

So a new regime had to happen, when I left the gym without a backward glance. And it has - it's called 'Exercise with a Purpose' and it works well for me, allowing me to still Fit in / with my Jeans.

Today's EWP entailed Wednesday Walk, which because G and I are both around, we buy the paper, take in a cup of coffee, then extend the usual route to include the 'Steps from Hell'.


Then comes the ' Wednesday housework' - being retired we decided to let the cleaners go (every now and then I catch a glimpse of Su and Kim with their buckets, as they clean neighbours' houses, and silently grieve.) But No - it is exercise with a purpose and not a bad workout as G and I do all the stuff that they used to do. What I do have to watch is that he doesn't take over - welllll I don't mind that, since he does it well but he can get bossy and picky re my stuff. Tricky territory!

As I bend to perform a 'meaningful domestic task', (is there such a thing?), I think that is the same as doing a squat at the gym etc. Do you get the idea?

Tending the garden was next, not much action there as it's winter but as I was pottering in the front garden I spoke to a senior guy who was hand delivering local papers, another fine example of EWP. This was followed by sitting at the computer, exercising my brain as I continually struggle with the technology required for my hobby.

Almost time to exercise my right arm for a little glass of wine. As time goes by, I will fill you in on some more Secret Womens' Business, SWB, by introducing you to the exercise program I worked out with the Physio.
Clara


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Exercise DVD's as alternative to the gym

Dear Babyboomers
'Exercise with a purpose' is my new mantra, in order to 'Fit with my Jeans'.
In addition to enjoying being active in everyday life, there are some good alternatives to the gym, (being a recent dropout), re workouts on DVD.

I am checking out The Bar Method, www.barmethod.com for a good stationary, thigh screaming workout. No bar is needed just the back of a chair unless you belly up to the bar after the workout
What do you do in a Bar Method workout?
"The Bar Method targets all major muscle groups by contracting or stretching them by means of controlled isolations performed to music.

After a simple warm-up to get the heart rate going and the muscles warm, students work the upper body with free weights, push-ups and stretches using the ballet bar.

Next come challenging exercises for the lower body, most of them performed in various standing positions while holding onto the bar.

The Bar Method’s workout continues with floor exercises for the abdominals and gluteals and concludes with a relaxing series of back and leg stretches."

Reminds me of 'feeling the burn' when we used to exercise to Jane Fonda's tapes (what's that they say?). I kept doing those workout for decades.

So I googled 'Jane Fonda exercises for Older Women' and there it was, along with a blog she writes. I enjoying her candid memoir, 'My Life So Far'. You may not agree with everything she has done, but I cannot help but have a tremendous admiration for her energy and zest for life.

Clara