Thursday, April 3, 2008

Physical Fitness

We've had many conversations shoring up each other's emotional well being, but today I'd like to talk about your physical well being. What do you do to keep in shape? Have you ever begun an interesting relationship while working out? The time you have to exercise depends greatly on the age and number of children you have. Do you consider time spent playing with your kids as exercise?

When I get a bit of unscheduled time, I often try to take a walk with a friend. It allows me to catch up on a relationship while improving my health. Don't get me wrong, I love to go out for sushi and saketinis, but sometimes a long walk is a healthier choice. Warm weather helps too.

I have walked around the fields around my son's lacrosse practice or during my daughter's dance lessons on occasion. I try to get to yoga, but my evening schedule is often interrupted.

Do you feel your fitness level is more important because you are single? First impressions are critical. No matter how enlightened we think we may be, we do care what someone looks like to an extent. Fitness shows how we value ourselves. I'd like this body to last for three or four more decades too, so I need to do what I can to increase my mileage.

Aside from working out, what else do you do to be healthy?
Does playing Guitar Hero count as exercise?

8 comments:

MarkEC said...

I try to get to the gym when my schedule allows during the week, squeezing in some cardio work at home from time to time. Dancing is always a fun way to exercise. Not sure how much Guitar Hero would help, unless you played it like Angus Young from AC/DC. ;-) My daughter's Dance Dance Revolution game is a workout... possibly embarrassing, but a serious workout!

Mike said...

AM

Guitar Hero is only going to exercise your eye hand coordination and perhaps stimulate your brain to a certain extent. Other than that I don't see it being part of your fitness routine

Mike said...

I used to ice skate for aerobic exercise, but now that the weather is getting nicer, I guess I'll have to switch over to a bicycle or else just do long walks.

I have never been much into jogging because its hard impacts on the joints and I don't want to end up giving myself shin splints either.

I think it is important to stay in the best shape that you you can. In the summer I know that I still want to be chasing all the young ladies in bikinis. Its no fun if you run out of breath and can't catch up with them.

Jack LaLane swam while pulling a rowboat full of bricks and mortar for I think it was his 80th birthday--- he should be such an inspiration to us all

Ava said...

Jack Lalane was also known to say that he does his exercise first thing in the morning, "to get it over with."

I've joined 2x/week walking group, but the after-walk brunch or happy hour tends to offset any fitness improvement, if I'm not vigilant. Walking by myself other days, at lunch-time or after work, may be the more effective approach.

Good idea on the bike riding, Mike. What trails do you like around here?

Precariousgirl said...

I used to go to Jazzercise classes but it is a lot less expense and more convenient to work out at home. I live on a tight budget so I just went to the store and bought the workout step and video for step aerobics.

Step aerobics is a fun way to get a cardio work out. I have noticed since I have been doing step aerobics I have more definition and strength in my legs. I also have more energy.

I have also been alternating with a body sculpting video that I ordered online from Jazzercise. The body sculpting workout improves muscle tone. It works the arms, abs, and the legs. Also combined in the video is weight training using light weight weights.

johnjm said...

I have a problematic relationship with physical activity (understatement). Walking is my best physical activity. I walk fast. When your father is 6' 3" and your adult height is 5' 10" and he seems to have learned to walk only at double time, of necessity, you walk fast. I swim enough to survive in a pool, but I don't like my chances in any body of water where I can't see land. I can bowl, but my average isn't very good. Well, it's probably terrible now since I haven't bowled in many years. Contact sports were not for me. I've never broken a bone (and I don't feel deprived by having avoided the experience). Eye-hand coordination is not my forte'. I tried to learn golf while I was in Georgia, but decided I would need to devote more time to it to become a decent player than I was willing to do. Anyone have any other suggestions? This is a tough one.

AM Kingsfield said...

I think it is smart to fit in any movement nowadays when it is so easy to sit a lot at work and at home. House work is better for you than sitting on a couch with a bag of chips, drowning your sorrows.
But perhaps we should be a little more deliberate.
If you missed the team sports bus, but enjoyed PE in elementary school, you should seriously check out the Kickball League of Bowie. I bet their spring season is starting soon. It's co-ed and a lot of fun. Look for them on-line.

There's also Singles on Sailboats. I have their link on my sidebar. That group sounds like a lot of outdoor fun.

I think gym memberships are great if you can afford them and get there enough to justify that expense. I tend to think if I'm not walking for free at home, why should I pay to not walk in a gym?

Mike said...

Ava (AVO)

I like to bike the WB&A and the B&A trails of course. NCRRT is a fine choice too - that one takes you all the way into PA. I always like to pause at the Whistle Stop for a sandwich and a beer.