The over 60's Exercise/Wellbeing group run by SPOT Wellbeing has almost finished the 6 week course. The village hall is booked for 12 more weeks but without anyone to run a group, so not sure what will happen. I'll find out tomorrow. Apparently there is cake tomorrow after the exercise - sounds good..
There are more people going now than at the beginning - which is better than the other way round.
I still don't get the mindfulness bit, sitting with my eyes closed and thinking about the feeling of my feet on the floor or counting my breathing does absolutely nothing for me..............it's supposed to be relaxing, but my idea of relaxing is sitting in the sun on a sunny day or laying on the settee reading a book!
Sadly there are some Old Men who tend to dominate any conversation (just like at the village Over 60's group!)
The half hour of fairly gentle exercise - standing or sitting- has given me ideas for keeping joints, muscles and balance in good condition. I've been doing a few at home when I remember, along with going up and down my exercise step bought months ago when I started to feel "bungalow knees"!
For exercise I still prefer swimming but the lane swimming sessions are fewer now the schools are using the pool. Some days only very early morning or late evenings - neither suit me and one of the days with late morning lane swimming is the same day as the exercise group. Much to my surprise, yesterday I discovered they'd got a lane swimming session on a Sunday morning, I'd not even thought about looking on the Sunday timetable, assuming it would be all family swim sessions. It was good to get a swim in as I didn't manage one last week and won't during this week either.
That is disappointing if there is nobody to continue to lead your group exercise class. I hope they figure something out. Your swimming sounds good too.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy swimming more than the exercise group and walking
DeleteThe "mindfulness" bits are annoying. I squeeze muscle groups until she's done.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I'm not the only person who finds mindfulness boring
DeleteI don't think you can really do mindfulness on command! But I expect the whole program is good for your health. I still live in a house with two full flights of stairs, so I get quite a bit of step exercise. Partly it's because I keep forgetting where I put things! Many flights in search of things on another floor.
ReplyDeleteMy step exercise thing is really good now I'm in a bungalow as long as I actually remember to use it!
DeleteI try to walk several times a week to help me keep in shape. If it is too cold or rainy, I have an exercycle that I can ride inside. I was going to the local health club for exercise classes but with Covid those switched to virtual classes on my computer which I do when I can.
ReplyDeleteGood for you that you are trying different types of exercise. We have to keep moving, don't we?!
Swimming is my favourite - I should do more cycling - it was too hot in the summer and now too wet
DeleteIt's all about the core! It strengthens the body and most importantly the back. Lots of free exercises on You Tube but I'd recommend taster in person classes which many places offer to the over 60's (I'm almost 70 and have exercised regularly since my 30's). Quite right that you need to keep on moving and especially the knees. Couldn't quite work out 'bungalow knees' but then I realised and happy that I still have a staircase! Walking very good too - it's free!
ReplyDeleteThe exercise class has been free - and haven't found any over 60 groups anywhere else. I like walking, swimming and cycling but don't do as much as I ought
DeleteI pushed my OH to start doing exercises to help maintain balance. He wasn't keen on doing anything that involved floor work so I got him started using a video that I use https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EP1G63aYzc
ReplyDeleteHe was 70 when he started doing it, five years later he still does it everyday and attributes it to much improved balance and noticeable core strength. Although it is called an arm workout it actually does a bit of everything. You don't have to use weights, I started out with tiny ones and after a lot of years have now reached the suggested maximum.
I'm not very good at doing exercise at home on my own so I hope the class can carry on in some form
DeleteI think the over 60’s classes are to help strength and balance so that we don’t fall and cost the NHS money for broken bones. These Old Men seem ti be everywhere-they hog the swimming lanes by chatting at the deep end and then tell you they swim every day for 40 minutes!! I love mindfulness and was taught to practise each day. Walking will always be my favourite and most consistent exercise even if it’s indoors! Catriona
DeleteThe main thing is to just keep moving! Our bodies were designed to move and between swimming, cycling and gardening you probably do quite well.
ReplyDeleteI hope they find someone to continue the classes. I don't mind a bit of mindfulness myself although I'd rather be in a more comfy position - like lying back in my recliner. When we did relaxation in my post natal classes (I won't say how long ago), I tended to nod off! xx
ReplyDeleteAfter 30 years of bungalow living I am now getting fit by having to "run" up and down stairs every day when I forget something.
ReplyDeleteSwimming is one of my favourite forms of exercise and at the age of 62 I have to push myself hard to swim 1500m/60 lengths in 30 mins, but I feel fantastic afterwards - glowing head to toe. My husband, who is not a swimmer and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease eight months ago, is now swimming 30 lengths and possibly enjoying the after effects even more than me. I enjoy the relaxation part of yoga (current teacher plays brass bowls and chants - a bit different!) but I’ve practised yoga regularly since my early 20s so have seen it all and nowadays we also do very challenging poses like the side plank. In the spring, summer and early autumn months husband and I cycle off-road almost every day and when it’s not cycling weather we walk every day, we are so lucky to have lots of different walks and cycle rides in beautiful countryside. I also do plenty of gardening in my one acre country garden but less than I did when I had a full-size allotment. All year round I work part-time in a secondhand bookshop which involves lugging boxes of books around, climbing ladders, lots of cleaning and dusting and sorting. On shopping, husband and I invariably carry home on foot or bicycle all of our food shopping. I remember reading somewhere that online supermarket deliveries have been bad for people’s health as they no longer carry their own shopping home. Xercise is xcellent and makes you feel xtraordinary! Sarah in Sussex
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who wanted to start an exercise class in our village hall, but because of the remoteness of the village couldn't get anyone to take the classes, so, with me roped in to help she took it on herself. She did a good job too and the only charge we made was for the hiring of the hall. It soon became popular with the villagers (female) and always had full capacity.
ReplyDeleteExercise is important, or at least to keep moving, but unfortunately my body now demands I rest.
I hope the class continues but the verbal older men are the reason I stopped going to everything apart from WI, why do they think they are so amusing? Fortunately I dog walk twice a day and there are plenty of hills around here so gets everything pumping. I have enjoyed your alphabet posts, thank you. Sarah Browne
ReplyDeleteOld men should come with 'bad humour' and 'naff loud irritating remarks' warning signs ... and I think Alan is almost in their club!!
ReplyDeleteMakes me chuckle about the Old Men .......
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
I have enjoyed the alphabet posts—-hopefully they will get a leader to continue the sessions. Re the old men it is a skill for a group leader with a cheery word to limit the ones who take over and give those who are quieter a chance to join in.
ReplyDeleteOh! Sue! What I love about you is your inability to resist CAKE. Roderick
ReplyDeleteOh, that is too bad that no one will be there to run the next session. I hope they find someone.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I think I might fall asleep if with the mindfulness part of the exercise lol...if my brain could switch off for a while!
ReplyDelete