What are you doing to stay in shape?

[VickiK]

Sounds like you need a temp workout buddy.

What if you joined a local gym for a trial period or a short month-to-month contract? It might be fun to try some new group classes, use the pool if there's one available...maybe they have a racquetball court in which you could smash that pesky resentment against the wall.

@geargrrl 's hubby did that ride a couple (?) of years ago. It's posted somewhere around here. Maybe you could ask her to share her bike widow stories. Speaking of, if you search on 'Tour Divide', posted by @geargrrl , it's interesting reading and might be useful.

 

[HuntersEmma57]

Thanks for the comments and I will def search for @geargrrl's post!

The good news is my friend and neighbor and premier workout buddy just returned from a month of traveling and we got a nice hike in already. The wild flowers are exquisite this year. Hiking and biking trails below 7000 ft. are dry thanks to a few days of high winds. I keep talking myself out of the gym (a 3 minute walk) even with their very low no contract rates for seniors. I'm not very social and avoid groups gatherings as a regular thing. I need to put on my big girl panties and give it a go. I appreciate the wee nudge. Happy Spring!

 

[Trailside Trixie]

My car is at the dealership till Friday so I've been going around in my neighborhood on bike rides. We've very hilly and windy roads and it's been fun. I now want to add a road/gravel bike to my quiver.

 

[SnowHot]

My fitness routine has changed.
I'm walking 18 holes of golf at least twice a week (sometimes 3 times)
I'm riding my MTB at least twice a week (sometimes 3 times)
I'm doing a stretching routine for at least 20 minutes every morning to keep my flexibility.
I'm using a resitance band to reinforce some of my stretches and gain more strength in those areas.

I also went to the doctor Monday to talk about some lower back and hip pain on my right side.
I had x-rays
Now I'm waiting for a referral to an Ortho to see about getting a shot in my right hip for a calcification and possible early onset arthuritis.

Now... how can we age without aging?

 

[martic11]

So now that it's the off season, what are you doing to stay in shape?

Reformer Pilates

 

[wernerslab]

More weight training as I want to maintain muscle now that I hit menopause, stretching/yoga bc my flexibility is also total dud right now and aiming for a half marathon in November after last year not doing much of anything while I coped with my mom's death and estate in 2023. While I managed skiing last season, I want to be 'stronger' so my legs don't tire as easily!

 

[martic11]

My fitness routine has changed.
I'm walking 18 holes of golf at least twice a week (sometimes 3 times)
I'm riding my MTB at least twice a week (sometimes 3 times)
I'm doing a stretching routine for at least 20 minutes every morning to keep my flexibility.
I'm using a resitance band to reinforce some of my stretches and gain more strength in those areas.

I also went to the doctor Monday to talk about some lower back and hip pain on my right side.
I had x-rays
Now I'm waiting for a referral to an Ortho to see about getting a shot in my right hip for a calcification and possible early onset arthuritis.

Now... how can we age without aging?

Good luck with your hip. I have arthritis in my right hip too. It causes my hip flexors and back to get tight. i also like stretching. I started Pilates classes and that has also helped me tremendously with flexibility and strength.

 

[marzNC]

Anyone starting pre-season ski conditioning before September? While I stay active year round, doing exercise routines deliberately to get ready for the upcoming ski season only happens during pre-season, meaning August through November. In recent years, my first skiing has been at Wolf Creek in Colorado in early December. Per usual the priority is to work on 1-leg balance, flexibility, core strength, and muscles related to supporting knees. At this point, I'm a senior over 70 who intends to keep skiing advanced terrain off-piste for another 10+ years.

I found these exercise videos after doing knee rehab in 2012, almost 15 years ago. I like them because no equipment is needed and they are simple enough to remember. I can feel the difference if I haven’t done them for a while. Possible to do every day but even when I’m gearing up to ski season, usually only do the stretches and/or Pilates routine 2-3 times a week.

November 2011 - stretches by UK chiropractor who skis

May 2013 - 1-leg balance

March 2014 - short Pilates routine by 70yo female instructor at Vail

 

[VickiK]

I added small group training at a little local gym to my ongoing 12-month at home fitness program. I plan to do this for a few months and then switch the small group training to ski-specific training in November.
I don't have it all figured out yet, but it's a plan.

Divas might be interested in these ski-specific fitness programs.

- Greg Louie the Ski PT has 12-week ski fitness programs limited to 10 people. He works with people who have injuries, recent surgeries, or just want to be stronger on skis. Format is online, customized training, testing to determine weaknesses and readiness to meet personal goals for the season, weekly Zoom group coaching talks, and a community forum. It's kind of expensive but it seems comprehensive and customized, plus he's a qualified Doctor of Physical Therapy. He has a YouTube channel too. https://legacyrehabandperformance.com/skiing-homepage

- Bumps For Boomers website has two free online ski fitness programs. I think they're designed by Bill Fabrocini, who has impeccable credentials in the ski industry. https://www.bumpsforboomers.com/ski-fitness/

I confess it's hard to motivate myself to work out in a hot garage at home. And it's too hot to ride bike or hike unless starting really early. (wah wah wah) Having an appointment to go work out at an A/C'd gym with a few people helps with accountability.

 

[diymom]

I don't think she's posted on here yet, but @jessbuja also has an online ski fitness program, and does telehealth PT in the New England area. Her site is Mountain Range of Motion. Some of the New England area Divas might remember meeting her at Diva East a couple of years back at Sugarloaf, and she has been at the Boston Ski Expo a couple of times. Last year she had a discounted rate through Women Who Ski. I haven't done any of her program yet, but keep considering it.

Telehealth Physical Therapy | Mountain Range of Motion, LLC | Maine

Mountain ROM offers online physical therapy, wellness, and ski fitness services worldwide.

mountainrangeofmotion.com

 

[Trailside Trixie]

26 mile bike ride yesterday on dirt and gravel.

 

[BlizzardBabe]

I've been largely lazy, but I do love my Gibbon Slackboard while working at my standing desk, and I've started lifting (trying not to overdo it). When the weather cooperates I've been walking. Fates deliver me from this heat and humidity!!

 

[SnowHot]

My fitness routine has changed.
I'm walking 18 holes of golf at least twice a week (sometimes 3 times)
I'm riding my MTB at least twice a week (sometimes 3 times)
I'm doing a stretching routine for at least 20 minutes every morning to keep my flexibility.
I'm using a resitance band to reinforce some of my stretches and gain more strength in those areas.

I also went to the doctor Monday to talk about some lower back and hip pain on my right side.
I had x-rays
Now I'm waiting for a referral to an Ortho to see about getting a shot in my right hip for a calcification and possible early onset arthuritis.

Now... how can we age without aging?

I just re-read my post from a year ago. What a difference a year makes!

My hip issues weren't hip issues. Turns out my hip hurt because I had a herniated disc and a ton of calcification in my lower back. It became more difficult to go about business as usual but I kept doing as much as I could with significant recovery in between activities. Turns out sitting was the worst! That kept me walking a lot, and doing PT to continue to function.

I had back surgery on March 16 followed by more PT. I have only ridden my bike three times this summer and have golfed a few times a week, mostly walking 18 holes.
The truth is, it's been so hot I haven't felt like doing much outside. Now that there is some smoke in the air from the Bug Fire.

I am currently walking when I play golf about 2 times a week, but the past few weeks only once a week, early in the morning because of the heat...I thought I was playing a lot less this summer but I journal everything and realized that I'm only 3 rounds of golf less than a year ago on this date but I've walked one more time than a year ago on this date.

When we walked the course yesterday it was the first time in a week and I felt the lack of zip in my step.

 

[VickiK]

In case anyone is interested in exploring a new fitness program, the one I'm doing offers a free 7-day trial. Here's the link:
Your Best Year Yet

 

[Aerlind]

I’m an endurance horseback rider, so I ride for several hours at a time, usually at a posting trot, which requires a pretty high level of fitness. I’m a bit backwards: I ski to stay in shape over the winter for my summer riding adventures! But come fall, I usually try to incorporate a bit of quad strengthening ahead of ski season, because those are the one muscle group not exercised regularly by the riding I do. I recently did an online “stable in the saddle” training program targeting my weak left side, and I’m hopeful that the exercises will translate over to skiing (where, unsurprisingly, I’m also weak on my left side….)

 

[sibhusky]

During not-sking-season I walk 2 miles a day unless 1) it's actively raining or 2) the air quality has progressed to orange (different walk, then zilch as it makes its way to maroon.) or 3) it's in the 90s. (I don't do heat.) That's it. There's a hill, so it definitely provides enough.

 

[Napyhed]

Cardio at least three times a week, rowing, biking, ski simulating machine, squat machine, and treadmill. Weights 2-3 times a week and exercise bands to strengthen my knees so I do not get injured this season. Stretching and yoga after the workout.
There is a HUGE difference when I do not work out. After I broke my wrist on the board, once the doc said it was okay, I hit the slopes and wow! I was soooo out of shape, gasping for breath after each run!

 

[Matro]

I do cardio twice a week on spin bike and some skiers edge. And a weight circuit twice a week, and Pilates once a week on average. Most weekends I get in one good hike in the mountains of NH

 

[Napyhed]

Anyone starting pre-season ski conditioning before September? While I stay active year round, doing exercise routines deliberately to get ready for the upcoming ski season only happens during pre-season, meaning August through November. In recent years, my first skiing has been at Wolf Creek in Colorado in early December. Per usual the priority is to work on 1-leg balance, flexibility, core strength, and muscles related to supporting knees. At this point, I'm a senior over 70 who intends to keep skiing advanced terrain off-piste for another 10+ years.

I found these exercise videos after doing knee rehab in 2012, almost 15 years ago. I like them because no equipment is needed and they are simple enough to remember. I can feel the difference if I haven’t done them for a while. Possible to do every day but even when I’m gearing up to ski season, usually only do the stretches and/or Pilates routine 2-3 times a week.

November 2011 - stretches by UK chiropractor who skis

May 2013 - 1-leg balance

March 2014 - short Pilates routine by 70yo female instructor at Vail

Me me! I am 58 and want to keep skiing for many years as well. I was ski conditioning for months now. Last season I noticed a huge difference when I was injured and sat around for a month. I want to keep my body in ski shape so I do not injure my knees especially I have always had ‘bad’ knees since adolescence. I got a set of bands so I can do knee specific exercises. Right now many ski exercises hurt my knees I hope to change that.

 

[skibum4ever]

PT, gym, walking, balance class once a week. Hope to start doing more as I heal and ski season approaches.