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...
