Fitness goals

[cjsmith]

I'm missing anything to do with physical fitness in my life.

My foot problems make many activities challenging or downright not worth it. For well over a decade, I've just ignored the whole physical fitness realm. But I'm getting tired of being a complete couch potato.

I guess the first step is to decide what my goals are. Do I want to build a STRONG body? A STURDY AND RESILIENT body? A FLEXIBLE body? A body that MAY AGE WELL?

(Note the total lack of "slender" or "sculpted" in this list of possibilities. As long as I'm still carrying breasts around there's really no point making any minor optimizations to the rest of me, and besides, I think I am past the age where skin shrinks.)

Those of you who do or who consider doing physical fitness stuff: what are your goals?

Comments

[cjsmith]

What does age well mean to you? I think I need to noodle on this more. (Swimming is unfortunately a no go because of schedule and because it involves a ton of walking.)

[wcg]

To me it means keeping my physical and mental health as good as I possibly can for as long as I can. In terms of measurable daily goals that means 10,650 steps (aka 5 miles), being active for at least 5 minutes every hour from 10 am until 10 pm, and burning at least 2600 calories a day according to the Fitbit app.

Can you pedal an exercise bike? I'm thinking of the kind that has toe clips, so you don't just push down with the bottom of your foot but also lift the pedal with the top. If you can do that it might be a good solution for you. If not are there any aerobic exercises that you can manage?

[nosrednayduj]

Also consider hand-cycles. Some gyms have stationary ones; there are also "go on the road" types. They might cost $$$$, but if you land that high-tech job you're seeking that shouldn't be a problem...

[cjsmith]

I looked into those back when I actually had a wheelchair. At the time, they seemed like a lot of money for a fraction of the goal, but now... I don't know how long I'll be bipedal and maybe it's smart to get started on those arms.

[nosrednayduj]

This morning I went kayaking for my exercise. Boats are a very nice way to sit and get upper body exercise. Are there canoe and kayak rental places on the bay? Obviously this isn't a useful daily plan for your geography but it could be a way to get occasional exercise and have fun on a weekend. Gyms also have indoor boat simulators, though usually it's rowing machines, which require feet. I don't know if there are some canoe or kayak simulators that would not require feet.

[cjsmith]

Kayaking sounds SO FUN. There is a lake about 20 minutes from me (without traffic) that will rent kayaks in the summer. I've been canoeing there but haven't tried a kayak. I will totally check it out.