Has anyone tried paddle boarding? I want to try it, and someone at my swimming class last night proposed that we go together when it gets a little warmer. Any tips or thoughts?
OMG, I need to not try to do two things at once. I am on a conference call and when I read this post I first read it and thought “waterboarding”, not paddle boarding! 
@intparent, our community college is doing workshops on paddleboarding - I am really tempted. My Pilates trainer tells me a strong core is really helpful!
Paddle boarding is great fun and exercise. You need good core strength to do it at more than a casual pace and there is some technique to learn. It can really be a whole body exercise that gives a good cardio and resistance work out but most importantly, it’s a lot of fun!
The new Hobie Mirage Eclipse, which is a “pedal” board looks really interesting to me. Definitely going to give this a try.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCv1MeL0Cyo&list=PLaNpyEaQ9zBLkUv77zC6tttlOPt1jG3Yw&index=3
Stand up paddle board, or prone board? Either will use many of the same muscles as swimming (back).
Well, it’s possible that @abasket, @MichaelNKat and others just changed my life! I woke up, caught up on this thread and, for the first time in my life, voluntarily walked/jogged a loop around my house – about one mile. Have done this to walk the dog the few times it was my responsibility and a few other times with friends but never just to exercise.
I’ve really been prompted by this thread to think about what my problem is with exercise. Inertia for sure. Just don’t care for it, definitely. But, if I change my mind set to: this is something I must do for my health. Like the cholesterol med I take every day, I just have to do it, perhaps I can.
If someone wants me to start my own thread, I will but, beyond the inertia and dislike, here are some of my barriers and, if anyone can suggest solutions, I’d love to hear them.
- I used to enjoy biking once upon a time. I live in a very hilly area and can't ride from my home. I did buy a bike rack once that was complicated, rickety and was just a huge disincentive to use. Does anyone know of a user-friendly, not too heavy (I'm under 5'3 and pretty small) one that's easy to take on/off? I'd consider keeping it on the car but our garage is short so it can't extend out very far and it sure would be nice to access my trunk. On/Off is okay, as long as it's easy and pretty quick. Does such a thing exist?
- I just left my headphones on the flight home from visiting D3 at college so need to replace but most fall out of my ears so I need the kind that have a wire that goes around the ear. Solved that problem but what I haven't solved: how to listen to music or, preferably news or podcasts. Has anyone found an arm band that secures the phone and it doesn't slip down? Don't want to waste more money buying ones that don't. In terms of headphones, I see wireless ones--can I use those? (Don't laugh but even if I'm outdoors without internet?). And, after that question, maybe it won't come as a surprise that I don't know how to find or download podcasts. Listening to an interesting talk or story would most definitely help me exercise longer/not think what I'm doing is boring. Love Ted talks and certain NPR shows, for example.
- Lastly, I'm intrigued by exercise shows or regimens on TV. I don't have a huge amount of space so can't do anything that requires me to take long strides, etc. but I could do weights, stretches, things that have me jogging in place -- anything within 2-3 feet, maybe more but not much more. Anyone know of any good ones for people that are pretty out of shape? Or the best way to search on my own? We have comcast and also have access to netflix and Amazon streaming.
I’m hoping this is relevant to the thread and that answers will help others but, if anyone wants me to start my own thread, I can. I’d love to build on this one day of motivation I have!!
Also, dh used to work for jawbone, the co that makes the UP, competitor to fitbit. I just found an unopened UP that pins to your clothing (UP move). I wore one of the bracelets intermittently when dh worked there but didn’t really like it. Will try this device and, with my new found motivation, maybe this will also help!
I initially thought standing up is just how you do it, but saw people on the nearby lake sitting and kneeling last week. The person who invited me said boat wakes are an issue sometimes where we are probably going, so she usually kneels.
One thing that I have noticed is that many people spend extra time to avoid exercise. Examples:
- Driving around the parking lot to find the closest space to the door, when it would be quicker to park further away where there are no other cars and walk in.
- Waiting to crowd into a crowded elevator or escalator when walking up the empty stairs would be quicker.
Obviously, such exercise comes only in bite-size pieces, but if such bite-size pieces of exercise save time as well, then why not, especially if one is pressed for time?
Just sort of skimmed other’s answers…I’m with those that find it boring. Finding forms of exercise that interest me is a challenge. I do try to take walks regularly with my H which helps combat the boredom. If we get engaged in a lengthy and interesting discussion the walk can be over before I even realize it!
Other things that turn me off are things that take extra time-- going somewhere specific, (a pool, a track, a gym), changing clothes, requiring a shower, etc. Guess, that’s why I can handle taking a walk. It doesn’t add a lot of extra time (unless we got to a special park to walk).
I want to try stand up paddleboarding and my sister lives on a lake in the Poconos that would be perfect for it. I haven’t convinced her to buy a board, though. They are pretty expensive.
Collage1- Please join our Diet/Exercise thread. Every question you have will be answered! That said, I have generally not heard great things about the Bluetooth headphones. There are some that get OK reviews, and maybe someone else has found a great product, but generally I’m not hearing many positives about use for exercising.
I think phones are too big for running, and I tend to fall, so I use an iPod Nano for music and I clip it to my shorts or jog bra.
Good job @collage1!
I also find that earpieces fall out of my ears. I thought my ears were deformed or something. I have the headphones with the wires that go over your ears, but I am pretty sure the bluetooth ones will work when out walk/jogging as my friend had those the other day. I also see people with the big earmuff looking headsets too. They should stay on, but are a bit big to port around. I see them in the gym.
DH used to have a bike rack on the top of his car, but for many reasons, that was a bad idea!
I have Bluetooth headphones and love them. Don’t have any trouble with them. I wear a waist pack, flip belt or bondi and my phone goes in there. You can’t put the phone behind your body though, the signal won’t go through your body but I put my phone to the side. It’s comfortable and I listen to podcasts or books on tape.
The ocmplaints with the Bluetooth headphones are that they cut out a lot- i.e. don’t hold the signal. Don’t ever run outside (or walk) with the big puffy headphones. They block out too much of your surroundings and compromise safety- from people and cars/bikes. In fact, it’s best to use headphones outside that don’t seat completely in your ears for that very reason. One of my pet peeves is people running in races with ANY music or headphones. They are too unaware of the runners/walkers around them. I know I’m old school and in the minority about that. In 40 years of racing, I’ve only used music twice (back in the day) and that was for a 50 miler and a 62 miler. I needed the help!
I do exercise, but I don’t like it. Some of the reasons- I don’t like the effect sweat has on my hair. I’ve never had the endorphin rush that people describe. It’s just not really enjoyable to me, but I want to age well. I figure if I want to be able to walk a mile when I’m 80, I better keep moving around now. Another reason I don’t like it is the feeling that no matter what I do, it’s not enough, as some of the comments on this thread illustrate. I was also a kid that was always picked last for teams in gym class. I have no athletic ability. I have a pilates reformer and a treadmill and those are my main forms of exercise. I get at least 10,000 steps every day. I walk, I don’t run. Reading some comments and some news articles, I get discouraged- That’s not enough cardiovascular benefit! That’s too slow! Why do you think (fill in the blank) is adequate exercise?! If you’re not running you’re fooling yourself that you’re getting any cardio benefit! Why would you drive to the gym?! and on and on…I’ve been exercising regularly for about 12 years- some of you on this thread who are star athletes, runners, etc might scoff at my routine, but I figure it’s better than nothing, probably more than millions of Americans. Hopefully it’s enough.
Depends on the house and yard work, actually. Of course, the extent to which you can actually use house or yard work in such a manner depends on various other factors (e.g., does your lawn slope?), but it can’t be dismissed out of hand.
My ears only work with one kind of earbud that came with the original google phone. They enlarged them so they are uncomfortable. GGRRR. I’ve got over the ear ones now. I didn’t like the Nano armbad, so now I just use a fanny pack with my phone for music or podcasts. I should get myself back to the long exercise thread! Everything I do is thanks to that thread.
Re gimmicks: I’ll be the first to say doing Color Runs was a gimmick, but it worked as it gave me the camaraderie of being in a big “amateur” crowd, and it WAS motivating for me to think - oh, let me just make it to green. Oh, let me just make it to red. Etc.
I’m all in favor of gimmicks if they get you moving. Some people like to exercise at home. Some people like a gym. Some people like outdoors. Some people like quiet solo activities. Some people like to meet friends to exercise. Some people like to track against themselves. Some like to compete against others. Some people do best in the morning. Some do best in the evening. Whatever. It’s all good. No need to make one size fit all.
Since I do OrangeTheory, my H comes up with names for lawn tasks - like if all the leaves need to be raked, he’ll tell me it’s AutumnTheory and that it’s the hot new thing, lol. Or mowing the lawn is GreenTheory. And look what a deal I’m getting since I don’t have to pay for it!
Well, I live out in the country and the gym is in town. If I walked there, I wouldn’t need to go to the gym. 
So back to topic, I do not like to get up early and go to the gym, when its usually crowded with more serious exercisers. And on days I don’t have to go into the office or have an early client, as someone upthread said, I like to have a cup of coffee, watch the news, check emails/cc/facebook etc. I am up (awake) early, but that’s not when I want to exercise. Some like to do it and get it over with. I’d rather ease into it. The other day when I was meeting a friend at the trail, our spouses went early to run there. It was 39 degrees. We both decided to wait an hour and a half and let it warm up a bit. I am impressed with the guys’ dedication. I just have no intention of emulating it.
When I go to the gym, it used to be after work, but was also crowded. When I can, I now go in the mid morning or early afternoon when the silver sneakers crowd is there. I feel much younger then.