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I did it! I lost eight whole pounds! Yes, I really did. However, I found them again! Or, rather, they found me. There they sat, resting so comfortably on not one but both of my hips. They looked so complacent and right at home. Argh! Halloween candies, turkey gravy and chocolate Christmas trees did me in….again.
DO YOU HAVE THE SAME ISSUE?
Do you have the same issue? You mean well, you start off feeling so very proud of yourself even though you can’t quite zip up your favorite jeans. But the parties begin, having people over for the holidays starts up and out comes the eggnog, the cream cheese desserts and pecan pies. What is a person to do?
By now, if you are a regular reader of this blog, you know I’m going to say, “go for it!” And I still do. However, we all know we can’t go too extreme, so while you enjoy the delicacies of the holidays, get outside and walk. Alternate water with the eggnog once in a while and fruit for the chocolate….again, once in a while. Do some home exercises while you are at it. I mean really….how often does Christmas come around, right?!
I recently met an exercise specialist, Cassie Danielson, Recreation Specialist II, who was leading our Silver Sneakers class at the rec center. Read her comments below.
"SITTING IS THE NEW CIGARETTE SMOKING."
"Can you believe it? ‘Sitting is the new cigarette smoking’ according to Dr. Levine of the Mayo Clinic. Geez…you’ve worked hard all your life and now this. Is there no rest for the weary? Sitting for long periods of time is associated with a higher risk of many diseases.
Here are some daily home exercises to keep you active and are beneficial for seniors. It's always recommended to consult with your physician before starting any exercise program.
Lying in bed first thing in the morning, alternate knees to the chest.
Breathing 4-7-8 practice: Do this standing or seated with back straight. Exhale breath out through mouth to start. Breathe in through your nose for a count of 4; hold breath for a count of 7; blow air out of mouth for a count of 8. Repeat for 2 – 4 cycles.
Stand for 5 minutes each hour. If you are watching tv, stand and move on the commercial breaks.
Sit to stand 8 – 10 repetitions for 1 – 3 cycles. Use a sturdy chair with arms if needed to sit and stand.
Countertop pushups or wall pushups 8 – 10 repetitions for 1 – 3 cycles.
Walking from end to end of the house/apartment. Start slowly for a minute or two and gradually extend the length of time to 20 minutes or even twice a day at 10 minutes each time.”
All good advice and let’s just say it, not so easy to do and maintain. We just have to start.
So, there you have it. Some easy ways to help keep the weight down in the new year. And forgive yourself if you have to start over a time or two. Rome was not built in a day!
Happy New Year and Happy Aging!
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