Getting Fit at 50

-

I'm working to get a bit more fit. I've never had a regular exercise routine. I have had a very busy life over the years... kids to keep up with, barn chores, animals to take care of, gardens to grow and harvest.

One of the things I noticed as my life has started changing is that I'm not as busy as I once was and did not like the changes I saw in my own body. I decided it was time to spend a little more effort on my health.


I've started my health quest by just simply walking. I've been walking about 2 miles a day. At first it was challenging. I will say that I live in an area that is pretty much all on a hill. I live in a Gorge.. this is mountains on both sides and a river that runs between it. So when I set out on my walk it is mostly downhill. I walk a mile and turn around and walk the mile back.. mostly all uphill. And my muscles feel it!! But it has been a good thing, given me more energy and motivation.

I took a few pics today on my walk (and yes, unlike most of the USA we are having an unseasonably warm winter).  I know the pics don't show the incline as much as it is..  but trust me my body feels it!!!  Ha, ha!! ...

This is a downhill view...

Heading back up to my house..



So at 50 (almost 51 :) I'm making the choice to work a little harder, day by day to get and keep fit.

Do you have a regular exercise routine? Do you know you need to exercise but have problems with motivation? Are you reaching or in midlife and desire to get more fit? I'd love to hear from you and find out where you are at with exercise in your life.


 



Comments

  1. MonicaFebruary 13, 2015 at 7:37 AM

    What a beautiful area to walk in! Nature is so entertaining, don't you think? I don't have a workout routine so to speak but when the weather is nicer I walk longer with my dog. :)
    Hope you have a lovely weekend Crystal!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CrystalFebruary 13, 2015 at 7:53 PM

      I love walking out in nature! Always enjoyable things to see.... Hope your weekend is great too!! Crystal :)

      Delete
  2. Cary ~ My Wool Mitten at Serenity FarmsFebruary 13, 2015 at 8:17 AM

    I'm trying to do the same at 55 Crystal, and walking is the best exercise for me as well. This year I set a goal of 20 pounds and 2 inches by the first of April and was well on my way until we got loaded up on ice covered by packed snow around here. I try to do my walking in the big barn to keep me going on my routine ;) Good luck to you (and me!) in our quest to be healthier!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CrystalFebruary 13, 2015 at 7:56 PM

      Good for you Cary!! And yes.. good luck to us both! Have you ever heard of the Leslie Sansone Walk at Home videos? I use them when I can't walk outside due to weather.. http://www.walkathome.com/ Lots of options so they don't get too boring! :) .. Hoping you can meet your goals.. Crystal

      Delete
  3. KrisFebruary 13, 2015 at 9:49 AM

    Keeping fit is so much harder in winter. We haven't had hardly any snow here in SW Missouri, but a lot of colder, windier weather. I DON'T LIKE the combination of those two! When the weather is in the 40's, I generally take the two dogs - one older Pit Bull and one HYPER Rat Terrier for an hour walk through the fields of our 80 acre farm. Lots of up and down hills and armadillo holes to watch out for. We also do some playing fetch with a tennis ball - which has me running around as much as the dogs. Then there is also laundry, dishes, floor scrubbing, vacuuming, etc., etc., etc.!!!! I have to be IN THE MOOD - to do regular exercise - although there are times when I do enjoy it. I'll be 67 this year. My grandmother was 102 when she died and was active until she reached 100! Then she started to slow down!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CrystalFebruary 13, 2015 at 7:59 PM

      Wow!! On your grandma! That is amazing! So many good things about being fit as we age. I do understand the need to be "in the mood" .. some days I just tell myself that my main goal every day is to just MOVE everyday.. doing something.. :) Crystal

      Delete
  4. LauraFebruary 13, 2015 at 11:08 AM

    Wow, those pictures make me think of the gorge in Oregon. If that's where you're at, you're so lucky! I love it in Oregon!

    My stifle is that I know I need to exercise, I just lack the motivation, and while I've planned to start exercising more regularly for the lady month and a half, I havent actually done it once. What a drag! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CrystalFebruary 13, 2015 at 8:01 PM

      Laura... it is the Columbia River Gorge.. I live on the Washington side.. and it is beautiful!! Very wet! LOL.. but pretty..

      I totally understand the motivation issue.. I just have made a point of moving.. I started that way... just move every day.. which then grew to walking.. and walking farther... now to just keep at it!! I find when I do, I have more energy and feel more motivation. I think it feeds on itself.. you know? :) Crystal

      Delete
  5. AnonymousFebruary 13, 2015 at 4:04 PM

    Hello! I found your blog ages ago but think this may be my first comment. Good for you to start your exercise program!

    Three years ago, I started swimming laps at the local community indoor pool. I was 55 at the time. I talked a good friend into taking an adult swim-conditioning class with me. I still remember the first class when the young, buff, 19-yo male instructor asked us to swim four lengths in a row. At the end of the first length, the two of us were hanging onto the wall trying to breath. He came up to tell us again what the exercise was. I smiled up at him and basically said "yes, we know, we just need to catch our breath for a moment". I still laugh about our beginning.

    Three years later, we are still swimming and now routinely swim a mile (65 lengths) in about 45 minutes. With fins on. The fins are the best and make it so much fun. Some workouts I do think 'this was so much easier at 12".
    For me, the best thing was asking a friend to join in. In the three years, we have taken some breaks due to health issues flaring up or life just getting in the way. Then we get back to it and 'just keep swimming...'
    Cheering you on, SJ in Vancouver BC

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CrystalFebruary 13, 2015 at 8:04 PM

      SJ... THANK YOU!!! Thank you so much for sharing your story. It is sooo encouraging and inspirational!!!! My goal is to .. just keep moving!!! :D .. And you've certainly encouraged me to keep on keeping on... Have a blessed day.. and thank you again for the comment! Crystal :)

      Delete
  6. AnonymousFebruary 17, 2015 at 3:13 PM

    I don't like to leave the house to exercise except in the summer. I think it's fun to just walk or run on the spot in my bedroom. I carry hand weights and lift them all kinds of different way while I walk and run. I lift my arms and hold the weights out to my sides or do curls or hold them over my head and drop them back to work underarm muscles. Then I'll do some squats and some side to side running to strengthen my knees and ankles. I listen to sermons or pray or watch a video while I do it. You can also do isometric exercise like tightening your abs or leg muscles or arms while you are just sitting around...or even in church!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Bobbie78February 18, 2015 at 7:12 PM

    My exercise routine is not that great. But if I had a beautiful view like this, I would walk everyday. That is beautiful. You are truly blessed.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

All messages are moderated. After approval your message will be posted. Thank you for your comments!! Crystal :)

Popular posts from this blog

Canning Chicken Noodle-less Soup

-
Image
Today was one of those busy days that it seemed I was moving from the time my feet hit the floor until this evening.. But, I got so much done and that is a great feeling! :) One of my accomplishments today was canning 14 jars of chicken noodle-less soup. I call it “noodle-less” because you can’t can noodles. They end up falling apart. So I canned the chicken, veggies and broth. When I go to use the soup I will bring it to a boil and then add a handful of noodles (any type of pasta will work) and cook it until the noodles are done. Because I plan to add the pasta after the fact I wanted to make sure there was enough chicken broth to do this. So I only filled my jars about half to two thirds with chicken and veggies and then filled with chicken broth. Here is how I did this…. I started off with 2 chickens that were a total weight of about 10lbs. I put them in my 14 quart stock pot… I then added 2 gallons of water.. And 3 tablespoons salt.. I brought this ...
Read more

Canning Cabbage

-
Image
I had 4 large heads of cabbage that weighted about 25 pounds. We had some really hot days and I figured I better get the last of them picked soon. My daughter Sierra and I ended up processing 3 of them yesterday and I have one left for a meal on my menu this week. I made pickled cabbage and then canned up the last of the cabbage. Here is the recipe for the pickled cabbage (according to how I made it)… 8 pounds cabbage 1 large onion 1 ½ red peppers 1 lb carrots ¾ cup salt 9 cups water 12 cups white vinegar 10 cups sugar 1t mustard seed 1t celery seed Slice cabbage thinly. Slice onion and peppers. Grate carrots. Mix all veggies together in a very large bowl. Sprinkle with salt and mix in well. Let sit for 2 hours to soften veggies. Rinse veggies well.  In a large stock pot (mine was 14 quarts) combine water, vinegar, sugar, spices. Bring to a boil. Add cabbage/veggies. Bring to a boil. Fill hot pint jars with veggies using a slotted spoon. Fill jar with brine...
Read more

Canning Beef Stew

-
Image
In my last blog post I shared that I had bought 10 pounds of beef roast. I cut it all up and used 4 pounds in 2 crockpot freezer meals ( http://homesteadinghomemaker.blogspot.com/2012/02/two-more-crockpot-meals-for-freezer.html ) . I used the other 6 pounds of meat along with potatoes, carrots, onions and celery to can beef stew. Here were the general proportions I used in canning 7 quarts of beef stew.. 6# beef 2# potatoes 2# carrots 1# onions 1# celery After I cut up the meat and got the freezer meals done I moved to the beef stew. I peeled and cut up the potatoes and carrots. I chopped up the onions and sliced the celery. I pulled out 3 quarts of veggie stock from my freezer to use for liquid in the stew. You can use beef or chicken stock or you can use water. I did not add anything to thicken the liquid as usually thickeners don’t hold up in canning. You can thicken the broth after it is opened if you would like. I added 1 teaspoon salt to each of my ...
Read more