Since retirement, I have focused on getting more exercise. I post weekly updates here to hold myself accountable and see my progress.
Between a bad cold and travel, I hadn't exercised for over two weeks. I was surprised I missed it a little, but the rest helped with some of my aches and pains. I am sticking my toe in the water again, hoping to gain momentum to my previous levels and beyond. Here's what this week looked like. Also, I've interspersed photos of what's blooming in the yard this week.
Thursday, May 1, 2025
Line Dance: The gym just started a beginner's line dance class I attended. The dances were all new to me, but they were at a beginner level, so I could mostly keep up. The instructor is good, and I hope to make this class part of my regular rotation. It got my heart rate up but wasn't too strenuous—just the thing to ease myself back into things.
Friday, May 2, 2025
LaBlast: This is a new class at the gym. It is a dance fitness class put together by Louis van Amstel from Dancing with the Stars. The class was vigorous, nonstop, and tiring. I definitely got a good workout. There was a variety of music and routines based on ballroom dancing. And no, my ballroom classes didn't help any in this class. However, I wasn't totally lost while doing the movements. I will try it again.
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Free Day: Today was Ward's birthday, and my sons came over for a celebration lunch. My excuse for not going to the gym was the difficulty of scheduling among classes and birthday celebrations. I did do a little yard work, but it was mostly a sedentary day.
Sunday, May 4, 2025
Free Day: Ward and I spent about 30 minutes trying to remember some of our ballroom routines. Otherwise, it was a calm, rainy, indoor reading day.
Monday, May 5, 2025
Strong and Balanced: Today, we worked with weights, bands, and balls. It didn't get my heart rate up very high, but there was some very good strength training. The instructor said we would be sore the next day, and she was right. :)
Ballroom Dance: Going back to class was hard because I had missed two in a row from illness and vacation. I kept my spot in the class as a slow learner, but I did better than I thought I might after the break. We worked on the quick step and samba, both fast-paced dances that definitely got my heart rate up.
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Line Dance: The class was a solid hour of movement and wore me out. I might not be remembering it right, but I think I'm not where I was before the break—not surprising. However, the class was fun.
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Free Day: I did some yard work and ballroom practice, but neither was too strenuous.
Are you working on anything you're trying to make a habit of? Want to join me in weekly reporting?
Until next time...
Oh my your flowers are beautiful. My yard bloomed out with the exception of the hydrangeas. Until zinnias and lantana start blooming we are mainly in a state of extreme green.
ReplyDeleteI love lantana, but it's only an annual here and doesn't get very big.
DeleteGreat job getting back to it and love the flower photos.
ReplyDeleteThese last couple of months are the most consistent I've been with exercise in many years, and I'm trying to keep it up. It helps that my husband has been doing this for years and is very encouraging.
DeleteSuch lovely flowers in bloom in your garden; that hedge of azaleas looks stunning! Well done getting back to your exercise routine.
ReplyDeleteThose azaleas have small and prolific blooms. However, this year they may have put on their best show yet.
DeleteAll of your flower photos are so pretty. It reminded me that lily of the valley were my mom's favorites, and my dad had an iris garden. :)
ReplyDeleteMy exercise/eating have been a little off this week, due to moving our son to Wisconsin. I did get in a couple of bike rides, and we took some good hikes on Wednesday in his new location. There are some beautiful places for hiking near him, so that will make him very happy.
The lily of the valley are in a corner of the yard that I don't go to very often. I planted them there as a little secret surprise for myself. Some of the iris in the picture came from my aunt. My cousin gave them to me after her mother passed away, so they have a special meaning.
DeleteEven with all of the extra things you were doing this week, you got in some good exercise with your hikes and bike rides.
My goodness you did a lot of dancing. I went to a line dancing class once and loved it.
ReplyDeleteI really like line dancing and it's the only exercise that I look forward to.
DeleteLots of dancing in your life! I love it.
ReplyDeleteThe flowers are so pretty. Such great variety.
I have never been a dancer, so it's interesting that I am doing it now. My husband has encouraged me, and I'm glad he did.
DeleteSounds like you get plenty of exercise. The flowers are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI am getting more than I used to, but I would like to get to the point that I'm not sore all of the time from it.
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