How often do you exercise?

[CynBeth]

I go on my Simply Fit Board for 5 minutes when I get up 5-6 days a week. That is better than before where I pretty much did nothing. I am trying to lose weight and have been on a lifestyle change since 1/2. I am doing pretty well so far. Hope I can keep it up.

 

[fireworks fan]

4-5 times a week, aerobics and strength. I’m at the age now where I start to feel achy on the days I don’t exercise. I should probably add in a stretching program on my off days. Plus, exercise does wonders for my mood.

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

My mind and opinion count?

 

[ronandannette]

I was told only 15% of anyone over the age of 50 gets any kind of exercise.
I am glad I am in that category.
But I feel that statistic is probably true for northern states.
I am betting it is a lot higher for Southern states.

Speaking as one of the 85%ers, I can vouch that a sedentary lifestyle takes it's toll on mind and body. In my younger years all I cared about was how I looked and since I managed to do OK there, exercise didn't seem that important. Now at this age I can sense how much better both DH and I would feel (looks aside) if we got active. Now all we need is to overcome our mental fatigue at the end of each day and figure out how to prioritize the time and motivate ourselves.

 

[Owlpost23]

Four to five times a week.Health rider,treadmill,outside walks.I'm 58.There is no secret to wanting to exercise-it's called discipline.I really can't stand it,but I have to do it-just like flossing your teeth.

 

[DLgal]

I'm getting there quickly too, and I'm only in my 30's.

Yes, I just turned 40 but spent a lot of my 30s laid up with injuries: plantar fasciitis, IT band syndrome, hip bursitis, rotator cuff injuries, etc.

I now have to rotate my workouts so my week looks like a variation of this, weather depending:

Day 1: Run/Walk 5 miles
Day 2: Rest
Day 3: Bike 12-14 miles
Day 4: Walk 5 miles
Day 5: Rest
Day 6: Elliptical
Day 7: Run/Walk 5 miles

I throw in some strength training maybe once a week using my own body weight (planks, tricep dips, push ups, lunges, squats, etc). I don't use weights much because EVERY time I do, I bulk up IMMEDIATELY. I am a female, but spent my youth doing competitive gymnastics and have muscle memory from that and a tendency to gain muscle definition very quickly. I don't like the bulky look that even light weights give me. Even pushups give me more definition than I am after, so I do modified versions and incline versions on the stairs. I guess it's a good problem to have at my age, so I won't complain too much. Sometimes I wish I could experience this elusive "loss of muscle mass" that "they" claim will happen if you only do cardio. That's never been my experience. But I do recognize the importance of keeping certain muscles strong to prevent injuries.

 

[tink1970]

How do you find the motivation? I find working out really boring.

I'm addicted to my Kindle. I either bribe myself with a good book or go when a "brain fluff" show on HGTV is on (or, Saturdays and watch college football). For me, it's all about the distraction. I had to stop walking with my friends sadly because hills really irritate my torn muscle. That was the best way to distract myself!

 

[PollyannaMom]

https://stateofobesity.org/physical-inactivity/

Hey, I'm in a yellow state!

 

[morgan98]

Speaking as one of the 85%ers, I can vouch that a sedentary lifestyle takes it's toll on mind and body. In my younger years all I cared about was how I looked and since I managed to do OK there, exercise didn't seem that important. Now at this age I can sense how much better both DH and I would feel (looks aside) if we got active. Now all we need is to overcome our mental fatigue at the end of each day and figure out how to prioritize the time and motivate ourselves.

I know from posting for years, that you have a fairly demanding and time consuming job. Unfortunately, so do I...lol! I am a regular exerciser and my husband introduced me (back when we were dating) to a book "Body For Life" which subscribes to 30-45 minutes workouts alternating cardio and strength. I still follow a rough version of that. It is about intensity, it doesn't have to take hours in the gym to make an impact.

It is almost important to figure out when you are in the best mental state to exercise. I get up at 4:15 am on weekdays, so I can have a cup of coffee, read a bit on the internet, get in our home qym (well equipped) get dressed and by at my desk by about 7:00 or 7:15am. It is brutal at times, but makes me feel good mentally and physically. I workout 5-6 days a week. My rest day is always on a weekday, for the record. For me, I could never do it after work. I do not get home early enough to exercise before dinner and I cannot have a strong workout on a full stomach.

This is not meaning to be a lecture at all, but rather to give some gentle encouragement. It is about trying to start small and see where you can fit it in.

 

[lifesavacation]

Right now I’m only allowing myself to watch the Haunting of Hill House while I’m on the elliptical so my cardio workouts are a solid 50 minutes each day. I do my lifting 3 times a week and push ups daily. Usually, cardio is on days I don’t lift.

 

[disneyseniors]

In my mind? 3 or 4 times a week.
In reality? once every 2 weeks...………..sigh...………….

 

[Floridaman999]

Biking, Hiking and swimming about 5 to 6 days a week.

Real hard-core workouts? Probably 2 times a week. I should do it more but I haven't felt good enough since I had some surgery last year. I don't think I'm ever gonna truly recover.

 

[lifesavacation]

How do you find the motivation? I find working out really boring.

I feel so much better about myself mentally and physically when I exercise. And once it becomes part of your daily routine, it’s hard to skip a workout without feeling gross.

 

[bigbabyblues]

I don't really exercise as in working out. I need to start running again, I know I would feel better, although I am not overweight. It is hard to get out and run when it is cold, but DH and DS18 are going today and I am going to go with them. It is 35 here, so not too horrible. I do walk 3-4 miles a day at work, but not all at once.

 

[usnuzuloose]

We roller skate a lot! I have been skating since I learned to walk and I met my wife skating. We got our kids into it also and they love it! Also I have been building custom skates since my early 20's and still do it to this day.

Oh how I miss roller skating. I had bought a new pair back in 1997 and then I fell and broke my wrist. But I do want to so bad. The poor skates haven't been touched since.

 

[ronandannette]

I know from posting for years, that you have a fairly demanding and time consuming job. Unfortunately, so do I...lol! I am a regular exerciser and my husband introduced me (back when we were dating) to a book "Body For Life" which subscribes to 30-45 minutes workouts alternating cardio and strength. I still follow a rough version of that. It is about intensity, it doesn't have to take hours in the gym to make an impact.

It is almost important to figure out when you are in the best mental state to exercise. I get up at 4:15 am on weekdays, so I can have a cup of coffee, read a bit on the internet, get in our home qym (well equipped) get dressed and by at my desk by about 7:00 or 7:15am. It is brutal at times, but makes me feel good mentally and physically. I workout 5-6 days a week. My rest day is always on a weekday, for the record. For me, I could never do it after work. I do not get home early enough to exercise before dinner and I cannot have a strong workout on a full stomach.

This is not meaning to be a lecture at all, but rather to give some gentle encouragement. It is about trying to start small and see where you can fit it in.

All good input - thanks. I could make a million excuses but eventually it comes down to either do it or don't do it, regardless of the obstacles. (But having a home gym certainly wouldn't hurt, KWIM? )

 

[usnuzuloose]

I miss exercising I can't do it anymore as I have many back and sciatica issues and can't afford to injure myself. I reinjured myself from using Curves machines and that ended that.

 

[Mariearistocat]

I feel so much better about myself mentally and physically when I exercise. And once it becomes part of your daily routine, it’s hard to skip a workout without feeling gross.

^^^^ This! I can't imagine a life without working out and it keeps my sane. I run 3 miles every other day, no matter what is going on in my life (always first thing in the morning--best way to avoid procrastination). I weight train 2-3 times a week but am not as consistent as I am with running, plus I don't put in half of the effort. I'm trying to improve on this because weight training is just as important as running. I used to run 30 miles a week (5 days @ 6 miles each) plus weights but am in better shape doing just 3 miles every other day and the weights. It's not necessary to make it such an effort, just 30 minutes is perfect. I think that's the best way to become consistent--30 minutes is easy to scrounge up but an hour makes it seem insurmountable some days (and easy to skip).So, early AM and keep it it short and work hard during that time! Also, I have found it's easier to be consistent if you can workout at home rather than having to go to a gym.
I also walk a huge local bridge 3x a week at night while my kids are at practice, much better than just sitting around waiting. I got a little out of control last year and started running the bridge (in addition to my EOD AM runs) and blew my foot out. Now I am just back to a leisurely stroll at night--again, doesn't help to overdo things.
A great book is Body for Life, by Bill Phillips. He emphasizes 6 days a week of 20 minute exercise, alternating 3 days of 20 minute runs with 3 days of weight sessions and a day off. Excellent program that is easy to follow! My husband lost 25 pounds in a short time following that. The 'diet' shouldn't even be called a diet, but a way to eat properly. A protein carb and a vegetable--5-6 meals. Digging my book out!

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

I try for 6 days a week, 3 5ks, 1 10k+ long run, and 2 body pump classes (full body strength training). Life often gets in the way, but it's rare that I miss more than one of those per week.

How do you find the motivation? I find working out really boring.

I used to feel similarly. I was one who never worked out. Then, surprisingly, with 3 20 month olds at home, the prospect of 30-60 minutes of just mindless quiet while running or lifting sounded absolutely delightful.

 

[Cubbiecakes]

5-6 times a week... at least three of those at the gym lifting weights. Also walk 15-20 miles a week just for fun, it’s my recharge time. After a broken foot, surgery, and months in a boot with a cane left me relearning how to walk, I swore I’d never end up like I was. So now I’m just having fun staying fit and keeping off the ~90# I lost. No running, doctor’s orders!