21 Comments
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Natalie's avatar

Excellent tips, Jennifer. Fortunately, I enjoy all the low impact workouts that you mentioned and have been doing them for a while (walking, cycling, strength training, pilates, yoga and stretching). It's summer here so I plan to resume swimming. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.

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Lydia c lee's avatar

I'm def a walker but I need to get in the strengthening exercises. That's where I let myself down. Good post. #WWWmimsy

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Christie Hawkes's avatar

Yes to low impact, high intensity workouts, Jen! I enjoy many of the things you mentioned: walking, yoga, water activities, weights... I would also include a water rower in the mix. The Orangetheory workouts I do several times a week include a mix of treadmill, rower, and weight floor. It's perfect for me. On my non-gym days, I walk, yoga, or swim. I also appreciate you pointing out the importance of finding movement you enjoy. Life is too short to grumble your way through a workout.

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JenealogyScrapbook's avatar

I remember those early aerobics days. I still have my Jane Fonda and Richard Simmons LPs when a group of friends would get together at our homes after we'd packed the kids off to school. It was fun. Nowadays I love my aquarobics. We do both strength and cardio workouts. I recently bought a rebounder but haven't got a routine happening yet. I've a hip that let's me know when I've done too much.

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Bernie L Cruikshank's avatar

Do something you enjoy. The goal is to move for life. If you do something you love, you are more likely to do it for life, not just for a short time. With love, not force ---- these words really speak to me and remind me to go get on that bike (wind be damned) or to hit the pool. I have scheduled those two and a light weight workout for this week and feel pretty good about actually doing it. Now if I could ever start stretching daily I would have life by the tail...LOL

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Jennifer Jones's avatar

You're doing so well Bernie. Well done on scheduling your workouts. I should have put scheduling as a tip as it does help to be consistent

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Joanne's avatar

My favorite is yoga/pilates but I do try to include a variety of workouts each week.

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Jennifer Jones's avatar

I know you have this Joanne. Well done.

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Sue Women Living Well After 50's avatar

Hi Jen, what a fabulously comprehensive post and you've covered everything. I also like that you've provided some tips for readers. I agree with all you've said, but I still like to include my running. I love it and whilst my body is still feeling great I will continue. I just am a little more balanced in my training these days. xx

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Jennifer Jones's avatar

The thing with running is that you love it Sue. So it ticks the tip to do something you love. As we age, balance is the key, and you have that covered.

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Min's avatar

Hi Jennifer, great post! I remember the days of aerobics! I used to wear my leotard and then there was the leg warmers phase. OMG - cringe! My favourite form of low impact exercise is yogs, pilates and rebounding on my bellicon rebounder. I like to walk too. My body has never liked high impact exercise though I used to do it in my younger days! Thanks for sharing with us at #WWWhimsy ! xo

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Jennifer Jones's avatar

Don't forget the matching headband and wrist band Min. Yes definitely, it's cringe. I'm so glad there are no photos of me from that time.

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Denyse Whelan's avatar

I am still waiting to want to do "anything" like strength training ...at home, even though I have the equipment...I went too far too soon just recently so needed the break.

I did the 1980s aerobics in the fluoro colours...not pretty and not fun for my 'inner workings'

But I did give that a go.

Great ideas here Jennifer. It really is your speciality area.

Denyse x

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Jennifer Jones's avatar

Thanks Denyse. 80s aerobics wasn't for everyone. Yes I remember those fluro colours. Eek!

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Denyse Whelan's avatar

I’m just remembering the barefeet too! On hard floors!!

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Donna Connolly's avatar

Yup, l did classes like that too (back in the day). :D Great tips and great post!

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Jennifer Jones's avatar

Thanks Donna.

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Lynda Heines's avatar

Oh, Jennifer, I remember those high-impact classes on a concrete floor in a church basement. My friends and I all ended up with tendinitis, which I dealt with for years. It was healed, or so I thought, and then I took up running. Of course, it came back, and I spent a lot of time and money treating it. Now I walk and do water aerobics. That's neat that you introduced those low-impact classes. You were ahead of the curve!

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Jennifer Jones's avatar

Thanks Lynda. Shin splints and tendonitis were common back then, and they were so painful. Like you said they took ages to completely heal.

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Deb's World's avatar

I remember doing aerobics classes like that back in the day Jen! Good on you for introducing low impact classes. Your tips are all great and timely. Thanks the reminder that it doesn’t have to be high impact all the time. Great post!

Deb #teamwwwhimsy

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Jennifer Jones's avatar

Thanks Deb. Those were the days! Must rack my brain and see what else I remember from back then. It was a whacky time in the gym.

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