Today this is the weather
This is why I thought it was time to resurrect these.
The ancient battered shoes protect my instep from the pressure of the weights, 20lb per leg. Top left is winnowing.
As you see. I fasten them on, they slide down a bit, I undo and redo, then they stay put.
It's a while since I worked with the leg weights, having done the stair work exercises instead, and I was happy to be able to complete the routine, four exercises, ten reps per. Not too demanding. I'd expected to need to cut back at first even so.
The fun part is that when you remove the weights, your legs want to fly about like a dancer's, from the contrast. It's very cheering.
I've been using these weights and the dumbbells, the green ones 3 pounds in case I need to drop back further still,
Used them, fairly faithfully, twice a week, for almost 25 years, since I gave a set of weights to myself as a sixtieth birthday present. I'd say they've repaid the investment.
Nowadays I've dropped back from 10 then 8 pound dumbbells to 5, because I was concerned about possible pressure on my spine. If the fives start to feel too light I'll move back up. If I get frailer I'll drop down to threes, and reduce the leg weights, which are one pound cylindrical weights slipped into pockets inside the jacket. Hasn't happened yet.
When I bought them I was living at the condo, up one flight of exterior stairs. They arrived UPS, all in one box -- two twenty pound legs, one pair each 10,8,5,3 and 1 pound dumbbells. Do the math. Way beyond the 50lb job requirement, which doesn't even include stairs.
The young woman -- UPS had started to employ women drivers -- trotted up the flight with the box. When I opened the door, she took one look at this old party, and said, stand back, I'll put this in the living room!
I decided she'd definitely presented me with a fitness goal. Or at least an excellent reason to get cracking on the weights.
This was my guide
Yeesh, it's COLD there. Bravo for tackling the weights. I used to lift weights all the time when I had a gym membership but I haven't done it since about 2011. I should begin some kind of strength training, probably.
ReplyDeleteIt's probably easier to set up at home with barbells etc, since it's not a special arrangement to get to the gym. Also no membship fees! A one time expense. Not that I'm biased in any way.
DeleteThat was a very considerate UPS delivery driver!
ReplyDeleteI could see she thought I'd have to unpack and bring them in piecemeal! She was a star. I saw her in the UPS office a time or two, expertly handling truly aggressive nasty male co-workers clearly angry that women were in the boys' club. And doing well. She could easily have decked their puny selves!
DeleteI admire how you are so faithful in exercising with weights, it sounds like it is very successful for you in keeping you strong. One week ago I got a recumbent exercise bike which I will post about soon.
ReplyDeletePlease do. They're apparently better for the body than the upright ones. I occasionally see the outdoor type around, but they're very invisible to cars, so low slung. Having been blown off my regular bike more than once, I'd hesitate. But indoors, yes.
DeleteYou are staying young, like the title of the book says. When I cleared ot my parents house I brought home 5lb weights and some leg weights. I don't know where I put the leg ones. You've got me thinking I should look for them. It was 5F this morning but supposedly will reach 34.
ReplyDeleteIt might be just the ticket to increase your strength a bit. Worth a try anyway.
DeleteYou are such an inspiration. Always.
ReplyDeleteWell, thank you. I have turned on a couple of friends on to lift weights. They've predeceased me. Not through weight lifting, in case you wondered!
DeleteI'm one of them, thanks to your posts about HASFit, and I'm not dead yet :-) And I'm quite a bit more fit than I was before starting.
DeleteChris from Boise
Also, my doc was quite impressed that my bone mass actually increased since starting strength training. That's great incentive to keep it up!
DeleteThe friends I had in mind took it up when I started, seeing how well my health was doing, but were not destined to live as long as I. I'm glad other people have tried it, that I didn't know about! My own bone mass loss may have been slowed down, don't know.
DeleteMercy! I salute you with awe.
ReplyDeleteThank you. You're pretty fit, too, from the four year olds in your recent life..
DeleteCold here as well at 27°F.
ReplyDeleteWeight training is very important, especially as we age. Thank you for the reminder!
I feel as if I ought to be outside because of the lovely sunshine, but it's freezing cold with a sharp wind.
DeleteThe nice thing about weight training is how quickly you can build strength. Then your spirits rise. It's worth a try. The free cycled weights already have a taker.
It's cold and very windy here today so no outdoor walking, however, we did walk to the local library for the annual friends book sale. We managed to get away with only a few purchases, couple of movies and travel books. Lots of other folks were stacking up on books, the children's books were big sellers.
ReplyDeleteI'm more likely to be a donor than a buyer these days.
DeleteA reminder that I need to get back to it a bit. Slacking off since the surgery, but I have the all clear now.
ReplyDeleteGood. You may even sleep better, too.
DeleteI have been exercising with two pounds of weights twice a week and the instructor began urging me last week to add leg weights. I may. You are light years ahead of me--literally.
ReplyDeleteLeg weights help a lot with walking and balance. Might be worth a try.
DeleteOh, Liz, you put me to shame. I am so unfit I can barely walk to the corner and back without getting out of breath. Actually I can't walk without getting out of breath. My knees hate me and my back is going out in sympathy. I used to be fit but as I have aged (and I am only 66) I have let things slide. I think you have inspired me.
ReplyDeletePlenty of time to remedy all that! If you used to be fitter I bet you can get there again. Worth a try, anyway. It definitely helps with stress levels if you feel physically capable.
DeleteWeight training is excellent for keeping bones strong. I might have to start doing some. Although I think working in the garden might be just as good.
ReplyDeleteI still swim for almost two hours most mornings.
Swimming is terrific for flexibility. I expect gardening is good for stamina! Weights do s different thing for muscles and tendons. It's worth thinking about.
DeleteYou have done what you need to stay strong, My upper body is good but I miss swimming and physio recommends heated pool which is hard to find here, My joints can freeze up in ambient temperatures which is painful.
ReplyDeleteCan you swim safely in hot weather when the water warms up? I hear you about your upper body, vital to keep that strength and propelling yourself probably is as much resistance exercise as you need.
DeleteI need to get some leg weights to continue my home program for PT. I've never used them before. Well done on your commitment!
ReplyDeleteI think you'll love the feeling of lightness when you finish the exercises and take off the wrights.
DeleteI was a gym rat for 7 years going three times a week working out for an hour and using the treadmill for an hour, I would bring a book and read while I walked, and then yoga once a week. this was in my 50s after my osteoporosis diagnosis after I decided not to take the med for it. instead I built up my muscles to protect my bones and gained about 20 pounds. now I just do yoga, try for 5 or 6 times a week though this past week only once. and yard work.
ReplyDeleteInspired - must do more weightbearing exercise.
ReplyDeleteOoh, I'll get s lapel badge if this recruitment keeps up!
DeleteWow! you are amazing!
ReplyDeleteWell, hellbent maybe!
DeleteAnd now I've bought the book.
ReplyDeleteI hope you like it. I haven't seen any recent editions, but really liked the illustrations in my copy, nice comfortable looking ordinary women in non fancy clothes, nobody very thin.
DeleteMy exercise routine has never been very ambitious but over the winter I decided I would like to do some walking so have simply opened our door and walked in the hall. I'm a wuss when it comes to snow and ice so I don't want to walk outdoors. Mall walking would be a possibility (lots of people do it) but it involves getting there via the car and gas costs money. Resident Chef won't allow me to walk outdoors by myself and insists on accompanying me which would be fine except for his top speed is way slower than my snail's pace and I'm constantly having to stop and wait for him. Me having 36" inseams and him only 28" makes a huge difference. All his height is in his torso. Hall walking, although horribly boring, means we can go separately and walk at our own pace.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to move. I think mall walking was invented for older people to avoid extremes in temperature and still get some movement. His inseam is the same as mine! We could share jeans?
Delete