Move it or lose it

Movement

Prompt #44: Physical activity

After I retired, I decided to fill my time with activities I loved. As it turned out — many of those activities were physical. My current weekly schedule is full of exercise I enjoy.

Because that was the key — it had to be stuff I wanted to do. It didn’t take much looking around to find a plethora of activities for the retired set.

The first place I went to was my local senior center. They offer line dancing, yoga, and low-impact cardio classes for free. I take advantage of all of these whenever I have the opportunity. I know I’m stronger thanks to the weight training during my cardio classes. And I just flat out love to dance. I’m usually sweating profusely by the end of an hour on the dance floor. But it’s really fun!

Once the pandemic hit, I turned my guest room into a yoga/meditation room and subscribed to a local yoga studio’s streaming service. I can stream as many yoga classes each month as I want for the cost of about four classes in a studio. I found teachers I liked and I usually do yoga four or five times each week.

Then about a year ago, I discovered that my local community center had finished renovations on their pool and it was open now year-round. I get a senior discount on a 10-card punch pass and swim for an hour each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I can usually get a whole mile in — even though I’m a pretty slow swimmer.

There’s also the senior meet-up hiking group. I’ve gone on a couple of hikes with them as I’ve been able to fit into my schedule. Usually weekends. Simply lovely Humans and fabulous exercise.

And finally, this spring — I joined a senior bowling league. I bowl every Thursday afternoon and it has become one of my very favorite physical activities. As an extrovert, I’ve really enjoyed meeting all the fabulous folks who bowl with me. And I’m at the young end of the spectrum. I’ve met folks in their 90s who bowl every single week. #lifegoals for sure!

As I glance at my calendar these days, I can see penciled in about two hours every day of some sort of physical activity. When I worked in the OR, I had a very physical job so I truly enjoy moving my body still. I like feeling strong (cardio). I like being flexible and stable (yoga). I like that my resting heart rate has dropped 20 points (swimming). I like wandering around in nature with other like-minded souls (hiking). And I LOVE the camaraderie of being a part of a team (bowling). Plus my average in bowling has gone up over 30 pins since I started in May. And that’s just proof that even as a senior, I can embrace new skills and get better at something.

It’s never too late to get moving!

Namaste.