CHALLENGE: Inspired by Liz: New Exercise This Week

[bicker]

I thought I'd share one of the strategies I found especially useful in getting exercise more ingrained into my life. Every so often (about four or five times a year, I think), we're challenged to do some "new PA" (PA = physical activity). This could just be doing something you normally do in a different way: So if you always walk alone, walking with a walking partner would be considered "new." However, most of the time, this is a challenge to look into a completely new form of PA, and try it. Variety plays a major role in keeping PA interesting. Over time, I've used this strategy to add kayaking and The Firm to my standard reperatoire of PA.

So I thought I'd challenge the folks here to try something new.

Why not try something you've never tried before? or try doing something you've done before in a new way? Have you ever tried yoga? If you do yoga, but have never done Viniyasa or Ashtanga, why not try that? Does a friend do a Tae Bo tape she likes? Why not try it?

 

[nativetxn]

That's a great idea, Bicker. When I get back from New Orleans I think I will try a new activity

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

While doing housework, I have been putting on a CD and dancing around while cleaning, does that count?

 

[snoopy]

Great idea, Bicker!

I wish I were good at Yoga. I am just NOT flexible. Too long legged, I think, I can't seem to wrap myself up like a pretzel.

I am very interested in something I read about on these boards, jogging in water. I am going to look into seeing if there is an offering of that near me, and since you mentioned it, I think I will do that first thing Monday morning.

 

[glo]

I can not go walking because I messed up my knee at DIS CON, so the PT asked me if I had access to a pool. I said the school pool and she said to go running int the water at about chest height with arms in the water, the resitance would give me a heck of a workout, and not put any real preassure on my joints

 

[perfectmatch300]

I bought some 3lb dumbbells & started doing some exercises with them. I had never used any type of weights before. I can really feel the difference in my arm muscles after using them for just a short time. My upper arms are one area I really want to see results in, so I'd love to hear specific suggestions anyone has for exercises to add to the routine I'm doing now with these weights.
Also, if you use weights, how heavy are the ones you use? I had no idea what weight to start with so I tried out the different weights in the store & picked the one I thought was comfortable, but not too comfortable.

 

[bicker]

Originally posted by snoopy
I wish I were good at Yoga. I am just NOT flexible. Too long legged, I think, I can't seem to wrap myself up like a pretzel.

Of course, yoga isn't about wrapping yourself into a pretzel. It is about increasing your flexibility from this "I" to this "J" not necessary from "I" to "Q" -- you start from where you are and work from there. I'm still no able to do our yoga studio's "pretzel class" on Sundays, but after over three years of practice, I am able to touch my toes without bending my knees, something which I couldn't come close to when I started.