Exercises -which are the most fun and easy?

[benedict]

We know that activities are much easier to carry out when they're fun and achievable so we're looking to find which exercises require the least motivation and which are a pleasure? (before you all say it, yes, 'bedroom exercises' are good fun and good activity :wink: )

If exercise is not easy for you, say because of limited mobility, which forms of activity are achievable and work best?

In cold weather like we have now, I tend to make excuses to go up and down the stairs more often than usual to keep activity levels up if I'm not planning on leaving the house.

Having a set of dumbbells near the tv seems to have been a good way to keep the blood pumping as well as helping to pass the time through all those long adverts breaks that never seem very far apart.

Which exercises work well for you?

Benedict

 

[susanmanley]

we have an upstairs sitting/living room so go up and down the stairs a lot. I plan housework so I have to go up and down often.

We are also very lucky in having 3 garden areas. One is small with a flowered wall and containers...this is where I 'work' when not too good as the levels are easy and no digging required. One is a larger area with flower beds and shrubberies so takes more strenuous work and lots of bending and some digging. The last is actually a field with half an acre of woods that I planted 12 years ago, grass, shrubs and six 20'x20' vegetable areas plus chickens and 2 green houses so obviously this is really hard work and so is for less frequent times [once a week in winter and every day in summer] plus a walk around every day to look after hens and generally keep an eye on it.

Because we live in the country we actually do not walk very much so I have to use 'excuses' like parking in a free area in town so i have to walk to the shops and the like.

Neither of us are good at wasting energy so gyms and things are out. We like to see a reward for our efforts as well as the improvement in our health

 

[ailsa]

I love aqua aerobics but only manage to go once a week, but I must admit it is so much fun it is the highlight of my week. Other than that I walk at least 30 minutes most days and try to fit in longer walks. I used to love aerobics and salsa dancing but dont get to those classes any more as I find it difficult to adjust insulin to exercise and food at these times.

 

[hanadr]

Group aqua exercise is fun, beneficial and sociable. I do classes that are not very fast, but use all muscle groups.
Hana

 

[ewelina]

Summer or spring time I enjoy group walks in countryside (you can find many groups on meetup website). Great opporunity to get active and meet new people. You dont need to be very fit and its always nice to get out of the city. I like swimming as its very relaxing. I have also little stepper which i use whenever i feel my sugar goes up too much. Its very handy and you can excercise in fron of tv!

 

[Chrisspiller]

My partner Sarah and I recently took up Geocaching, it gets us and the kids out into the countryside, keeps us all interested and we can go as quickly (or otherwise) as we like. All you need is a smart phone with GPS and the Geocaching app. There are caches every where and it's a good excuse to go somewhere new and interesting. Caches range from large boxes containing little bits and pieces to tiny containers holding just a log for you to sign, all are hidden with varying levels of difficulty to find, but great fun all the same.


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[susanmanley]

never heard of this Chrsspillar.
Sounds fun

 

[noblehead]

Just walking and cycling and occasionally weights when I want a good work-out, walking is by far the best and all you need is a good pair of boots.

 

[anna29]

I attend a weekly Gentle exercise class .
Held in my local church hall .
It is chair based for those with poor mobilty or balance .
We all go at our own comfortable pace and speed.
No one will laugh nor judge the rest in the group.

We do dexerity exercises, joint supple work, balance and posture stance work
Also our teacher lorna - teaches us how to fall safetly .
Roll out the fall - like the parachuters and skiers will land .
To prevent stiffness when falling, to reduce the risk of breaks in bones etc...
Stretch exercise is done to release any stiffness in bones and joints .
We do work with balls, broom sticks used to twist with keeps the back/shoulders in line
step work to groovy music .
Cardivascualar work is done too - with own pace set during this .
Breathing exercises are used whilst we all work out too.
De-stressing any tension or stress .

The group is a lovely mixed group about 17 of us.
Some have been in a serious RTA , strokes, diabetics , arthritis , spine problems
mobility/dexerity, 2 ladies are in wheelchairs .
After the class of an hour's gentle exercise we have a brew then a 'quiz' .
This is lovely chance to chat and socialise together in small groups doing the quiz .
Have met some lovely new friends in this class.
We can giggle and have some fun and each encourages the other .

I saw this advertised in a local supermarket.
Then found out my local home towns health centre plus
carer's central centre had a leaflet advertising the classes.

Anna.

 

[Chrisspiller]

Hi Susanmanley, Geocaching is great fun it is a global past time too, there are caches in every country. This year I will be taking the family away 'cacheing whenever I can, I've been told by my HCP's to slow down the amount of work I do, so we'll be all over the country instead! Lots of lovely exercise!



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[sallyjoseph]

Do the dance it is really fun and a great exercise for legs. simply walk and swimming is also a simple exercise from we also get a fun.

 

[susanmanley]

I love dancing and can often be found jigging away to myself at home. Anyone no of any dancing things in mid devon...not ballroom or line please as I rather like to do my own thing...probably because I am a slow learner.
Years ago I did african dance which was really fun but can't see anything for that nowadays

 

[viviennem]

Walking an Irish Wolfhound is always fun, but I can't do that any more and anyway I don't have one.

I can't really walk far now, nor stand for long which means Yoga is out - at least our local class! I do Rosita Evans' "Rosie's Armchair Exercises" (available from any good bookseller) while listening to the radio, and when the weather's better I garden a lot. Mowing the lawn means just the right angle for my back :roll: . And doing my monthly big shop at the nearest big Tesco is very good exercise - by the time I've got to the far end of the shop I've lost the will to live!

Viv 8)

 

[susanmanley]

Playing pairs with my 2year old grandaughter :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Didn't know it involved so much bending and stretching, chasing and giggling!!!

 

[walterrichmand]

Aerobics is a basic form of exercise that is effective for weight loss. Even every people can do this exercise, though they are recommended to stay with low impact aerobics. Low impact aerobics involves floor-based routines such as stretching and other movements.

 

[susanmanley]

had a good walk on sunday at Mount Edgecombe
[probably effects spoilt by lovely lunch]
The ride across on the ferry was good excercise too as very windy and rocking