I have started wearing a fitness tracker that can be set to remind me to move every hour. Just getting off my chair and taking a short walk added to my regular walks and swimming has helped a lot.

Now that I'm over 50, stiffness and inflexibility is definitely my enemy number one. I took a friend's advice and tried yoga last week, which I've never done before because I never really viewed it as "real" exercise. Holy smokes, was I wrong! I have tremendous respect for all the strong ladies in that class (embarrassingly, I was the only male). I could not come close to being able to do what the women in that class did. Very humbling for me.

My problem was that some of the poses and stretches were excruciating! I am just not very flexible. Someone please tell me that this gets easier over time!

version50 wrote: »

Now that I'm over 50, stiffness and inflexibility is definitely my enemy number one. I took a friend's advice and tried yoga last week, which I've never done before because I never really viewed it as "real" exercise. Holy smokes, was I wrong! I have tremendous respect for all the strong ladies in that class (embarrassingly, I was the only male). I could not come close to being able to do what the women in that class did. Very humbling for me.

My problem was that some of the poses and stretches were excruciating! I am just not very flexible. Someone please tell me that this gets easier over time!

I've been doing yoga for several years. Both stiffness & inflexibility have improved but I've reached the point where if I'm going to enhance either more, I need to start doing yoga daily. Twice per week can only do so much.

version50 wrote: »

Now that I'm over 50, stiffness and inflexibility is definitely my enemy number one. I took a friend's advice and tried yoga last week, which I've never done before because I never really viewed it as "real" exercise. Holy smokes, was I wrong! I have tremendous respect for all the strong ladies in that class (embarrassingly, I was the only male). I could not come close to being able to do what the women in that class did. Very humbling for me.

My problem was that some of the poses and stretches were excruciating! I am just not very flexible. Someone please tell me that this gets easier over time!

I did a Tony Horton bodyweight tape last night that my 29 year old daughter said she'd do with me. I'm 55. It had a lot of Barre type moves in it. No weights but 30 minutes and I was so sore this morning. Now, I do row (on a rowing machine) 50 MPW, but I've done Pilates, Yoga and some Barre. I won't do Pilates again. I'd rather have a root canal. 1 hour of ab work and leg lifts, no thanks.

There are also muscle work classes at gyms that I've seen women kill it in. I'm fairly strong, but I'm not too arrogant to take breaks if I have to or bow out. 100s of reps of the same (or similar) move can be killer. High rep, low weight is exactly what rowing is. There's a reason that most only last five minutes on a rowing machine.

BBee5064 wrote: »

I’m doing an online Pilates class & slowly over time my stiffness is improving. Stretching 🙆‍♀️ is definitely the key as well as a healthy diet & a healthy weight ( something I’m constantly working on 😩)

That's wonderful BBee! Wishing you continuing success and improvement!