Fitness? What's that again?

[figment]

The last few months I have not been at all active in terms of my fitness. I have had a lot of (fairly valid) excuses: moving, Thing-a-Day, cleaning the old place to sell. But all that's done now - I am out of excuses!
And r0ckc4ndy inspired me with her challenge to actually post about some fitness goals and hence perhaps make them stick a little better with some accountability.

So let's have some goals:

Take the stairs at work every day, every time (unless I'm with someone who's elevator-ing)
Take the stairs at home, at least 3x a week
Go to the gym 2-3 times a week: 2 mandatory, 3 desired

I'd like to achieve a better fitness level without re-injuring my knees. In fact, ideally I'll manage to have physical activity that helps my poor crackly knees. I'm not sure if I have specific results I'm looking to achieve other than that - but that'll do!

Okay friends, hold me to this!

Comments

[kalmn]

swimming is good, weights are good (except for the ones you do with your knees), i actually like stairsteppers and treadmills although your knees may vary, and that one thing where you "sit" except your back is against the wall and your behind is just hanging out there and your knees are at 90 degrees is killer for the muscles that support your knees but be warned i chose the word killer on purpose.

[figment]

Thank you! Oh I think I know the thing you mean. Do you "sit" and then lift your feet, bending at the knees? That is killer.

I did the stationary recumbent bike for a good long time today with no knee pain, hooray! I think the knee bands/braces help a bit, and maybe the fish oil is helping too. Next time I go to the gym I may swim, that's such a forgiving exercise (and really a good workout too).

[tx-cronopio.livejournal.com]

I'm about to move into a third floor apartment, yikes! I hope my knees can hold up until I lose some more weight.

[birdfigment.livejournal.com]

Ooh, exciting! But I hope you have some nice strong people with healthy knees to help you move.


I live on the 5th floor. I used to take the stairs all the time when I lived on the 3rd, but now that I live on the 5th... I've been taking the elevator Way Too Much.

[qubit.livejournal.com]

The knees thing might be worth meeting with a personal trainer about, if you haven't already: they may be able to suggest exercises that will strengthen the muscles around your knees to protect them in the long term without straining the joints too much in the short term. It's also good to get feedback on just what you should worry about; for example, my knees pop and crackle pretty regularly when I do squats and I was worried about that, but my trainer said some popping is normal and not a worry as long as there's no pain or soreness.

[spacebug.livejournal.com]

I'd second the pro opinion on knees; either a trainer or, better, a PT. Or a trainer who's a PT.

[birdfigment.livejournal.com]

When we joined the Y they told us we got one free session with a trainer. I should see if that is still valid - we haven't used it yet.

I have actually gotten some advice from a physical therapist on what to do for the knees, but I need to actually, er, do it. Regularly. And maybe see someone again.

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

Is the gym for aerobics, or weights, or both, or something else?

K.

[birdfigment.livejournal.com]

Cardio, weights, and swimming. Mostly the gym membership is for having a place to go that is climate controlled and exercise-focused. Biking etc. is good but I am not likely to do it unless it's nice weather. In theory I could also be taking classes there - yoga and such. I may; a class schedule is motivational.

Anyway, when I go to the gym I usually do a combination of stretching, cardio, floor work, and weights. Unless I swim; then I just stretch a bit, swim, and sit in the hot tub. :-)