Exercise

Hi @nomorechoccy, I hope you have suitable footwear and are trying to avoid hard surfaces as much as possible. There are some that pontificate that running and jogging are too injurious on joints long term.
I also remember a line out of the movie "The Horse Whisperer", that running is OK because the grizzlies only go after the joggers". Out of context and place I know but funny all the same !!
Best Wishes with your exercise regime and the well being it evokes.

 

May I ask why you are excercising? Is it for good, overall health or weight loss? While I am of the opinion that excercise is fantastic for overall health and we should all do a comfortable level of activity every day I remain unconvinced that regimented excercise aids weight loss. Diet is far more important if shedding pounds is one's goal.

Edited typo.

 

Kudos for the exercise.

Have you considered cycling? Less strain on the joints but still good exercise.

I walk and cycle now because my feet and knees are no longer up to running, although running used to be my exercise of choice. I have tried walking fast (4 mph or more) but even that seems to over stretch joints and ligaments.

One benefit of running is that you can burn more energy in a shorter time. At least, I found that to run at a reasonable pace was something that was self policing because it was obvious when your legs slowed down or stopped. It is too easy to back off a bit when you are cycling.

 

Have you got a pedometer? Good fun to measure your steps. I can also recommend gardening for exercise. Amazing how many calories my fitbit reckons I burn doing that.

 

They are out of date. The following is from an article in Runner's World May 2017:

"Let’s be clear: running won’t ruin your knees. ‘Three large studies show long-term endurance running doesn’t seem to damage joint health,’ says Richard Willy, assistant professor of physical therapy at East Carolina University, US.

In fact, runners may have healthier joints than inactive people, says Max R Paquette, an assistant professor of biomechanics at the University of Memphis, US. Running strengthens bone and muscle, and it’s thought it may do the same for cartilage, which cushions joints. And strong muscles – built by running and strength-training – support joints, so they are less vulnerable to injury."

You can read the whole article here:
https://www.runnersworld.co.uk/health/injury/what-all-runners-need-to-know-about-joint-health

 

My stamina and flexibility definitely got better when I bought myself a trampoline, but at that time I was seriously overweight and unable to walk far due to the pain of doing so. The trampoline made and makes a really easy surface to sit, kneel or lie on as the apron distorts to support rather than put pressure on just one spot. I bought an 8 foot wide circular one and set it up in the back garden. Two twenty minute bounces amount to 2000 jumps, pain free.

 

Well done indeed! I bought a mini trampoline (labelled "Trampette"! but I find 10 minutes is quite enough.

 

I don't do running yet. I did suggest it to my doc a while back before the diabetes diagnosis and he said "do you want a heart attack? Try walking 10,000 steps a day regularly first.". So I try to do the 10k steps each day but sometimes it's just too boring or the weather's not suitable, so for exercise I bought a folding static bike and more recently a folding rowing machine (space is limited). I watch an episode of something on Netflix while using these. Then I read that, in addition to aerobic exercise, weight training is important. So for weights I've started going to one of the local municipal sports centres a couple of times a week .

I may or may not do a bit of running eventually. I would be a bit worried about knee damage myself having damaged both of them on separate occasions in the past.

 

I know the feeling! I listen to podcasts through headphones when I walk anywhere quiet enough. It helps 100%. Well done for all your exercise initiatives!

 

I think you are forgetting the huge effect exercise can have on morale and therefore on eating patterns.

 

Thanks. I feel a lot better for it. I am a big fan of Podcasts but I listen in bed. The streets here are just too noisy, so it's music on the headphones when I'm walking. I do like walking lunchtimes and did so today. The problem is when I haven't used my lunchtime for walking and have to make it up after work when I'm tired and I really want to get home. Now I have the option of going home and getting on the machines.

 

I never underestimate.

 

Yes, I get really fed up with noise interrupting my podcast listening. I don't expect to be able to listen in the street, but even in the park, every few minutes another jet comes over and drowns out my podcast. I have to walk with my iPod in my hand ready to pause. And then there are the parkies with their leaf blowers and tractors cutting the grass. I agree it's great to have one's own equipment at home, but somehow I do like the park best.

 

I use a Garmin when I run AND my Fitbit all the time. I'm really grieved if I realise too late I have left it off and "lost" some floors or steps. IMO you can't have too much feedback and gold stars!

 

I’m not sure about weight loss, but if you do manage to lose weight, particularly a lot of weight, it all needs a serious amount of toning up, especially if you are older

 

I've lost weight without a moment's excercise. No rolls of loose skin and I'm chasing 60.

 

Agreed, all weight loss involves losing muscle as well as fat, so best if possible to lose weight gently and work on building muscle at the same time. Not easy, but I guess would require eating the right amount of protein especially after exercise.