| Birthdays stink! Or so says the little skunk hanging | | | | options available, that it's usually our own fault if we |
| from my car mirror-a reminder from my | | | | grow old and lazy. Look under "Exercise" in your |
| daughter-in-law that I'm nearing another dreaded hill in | | | | phone book yellow pages. You'll find health and |
| my life. | | | | fitness centers with weight rooms, dancing |
| Actually, the age doesn't bother me. It's the fact that | | | | instruction, racquet ball, swimming pools, aerobics, and |
| weight GAINED from my cake and ice cream is so | | | | yoga. You can go it alone or join a group of people |
| much more difficult to LOSE after one of those | | | | with similar fitness goals (and similar physiques).o Trot |
| particular birthdays. I'm also finding that joint pain and | | | | down the sporting goods aisle of your local |
| backaches make it more and more difficult to | | | | department store. It's amazing how many fitness |
| exercise consistently. | | | | tools are available! With a DVD, you can learn Tao Bo |
| Here's a simple fact: If I START to exercise, I hurt. | | | | or Pilates in the privacy of your own home, walk the |
| But...if I STOP exercising, I hurt even more!o "Before | | | | treadmill to upbeat music with people who encourage |
| beginning this exercise, please consult your doctor." In | | | | your pace (and shut them off when you get tired), |
| the past I thought this warning was only for heart | | | | do an aerobics exercise workout, or learn to Tango |
| patients. But now I'm discovering other reasons why | | | | with a friend or spouse.o You can buy a stationary |
| you should heed this advice. It costs a lot of money | | | | bike trainer unit for your old 2-wheeler and pedal in |
| for visits to the chiropractor and the podiatrist after | | | | any weather. You can purchase hand weights to |
| injuries, not to mention the time and effort you've | | | | wear as you work around the house, ankle weights |
| invested in your progress thus far.o When an injury | | | | to walk the treadmill, or heavy weights for your curl |
| occurs, you cannot simply stop exercising. You will | | | | bar. If weights aren't your style, try out some rubber |
| lose all the progress you've made so far. Instead, talk | | | | bands or resistance cords. Most of these items come |
| with your doctor about an alternative exercise. If | | | | with their own written instructions for exercise. |
| you've acquired a stress fracture in your foot from | | | | See, there is no excuse. If one part of your body is |
| jogging, he may recommend swimming instead. If | | | | out of commission for a while, exercise whatever |
| your lower back is giving you fits after yard work, | | | | muscles you can. Don't give up. Exercise matters, no |
| you may need to steer clear of certain weight | | | | matter what your age. |
| machines for a while.o There are so many exercising | | | | |