Prolific Pulse Blog

As part of my effort to lose weight and regain some strength, and overall mental health, I started taking yoga classes via Meetup groups. Fortunately, for me and so many others who have handi-capable body challenges, there are classes to make adaptable provisions. Before knee surgery, I took part in adaptable yoga classes until I felt like I could practice at home, returning whenever I needed to tweak my movements. Knowing that knee surgery would affect my abilities to do mat work I started taking chair yoga classes. Although I took a silly break, I am back at it again.

Yoga helps in several areas, much of which affects my health. As an insomniac from childhood, who NEVER took a nap, yoga helps me to relax which also helps with focus, another long life issue. After years of Yo-Yo dieting, my metabolism has taken a beating and yoga helps get that back on track. Stronger muscles also help with weight loss.

Aging brings with it a chance of bone loss and loss of flexibility. Yoga helps with both. In the long run, this also serves to protect from injury. A long time ago a co-worker asked me why I took yoga classes and I told her it was so I could jump in my pants both legs at a time. Disclaimer: this is not possible, so don’t try this at home. Digestive issues have also been an issue, but yoga helps with this. It also helps not to drink with a straw (free non-yoga tip for tummy issues-and another post).

If you have groups such as Meetup, local recreation groups, gyms, or school programs, it helps to attend so you can get an idea about form and technique. Since this is not available everywhere, I highly recommend checking online for videos. I use YouTube videos for chair yoga. Just go there and search and you will find several videos. Test them out and find what works for you. I have used a variety because I get bored easily with exercise. Plus, a variety helps to focus on different areas of the body.

You Call This Yoga website and article about Chair Yoga

This is a video I tried this morning and love it!

This video is with my local Yoga teacher, Howie Shariff

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and I always recommend checking with your medical professional before attempting changes in activities.

poetry, Short Fiction

Don’t Take My Legend From Me

October 20, 2019October 24, 2019 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

Photo by Mitchell Griest on Unsplash

An Acrostic

Letting go of all future concerns, it was difficult for Edward.

Edward had a heritage of hard-working family who instilled a work ethic.

Gently, Elaine helped Edward to his favorite resting chair so he could enjoy the sunbeams.

Even with plenty of love in place, supporting his every need, Edward felt sad.

Needing the help of others, Edward felt ashamed.

Determined to be the legend who wins, Edward set forth a plan.

…..

There you go! That’s my Six Sentence Story for this week. Thanks to Denise of Girlie on the Edge for faithfully providing these prompts and cheering us on. Won’t you join? Join us here

Senior Health, Uncategorized

Getting Fit: The Senior Exercise Edition

October 19, 2019 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

color colour fitness health — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

As the pool is closing for the season, it’s time to ramp up the exercise routine for the fall. What’s worked for me is tabata and strength training. It’s a nice mix which I sometimes combine, but often do separately.

With an older body, not making excuses here, there are some quirks that need attention. First, I have physical challenges, including arthritis, bursitis and fibromyalgia, among some other thing. When planning my routines, I have to concentrate on ways to help me manage these without feeling the need to give up. Not a quitter, it’s in my gene pool, I am determined to accomplish goals. This brings me to a list of pointers to help with planning for my workout. Disclaimer: These are things that help me and I take no responsibility for your experience with them.

1. Be reasonable by making challenges within your ability while still pushing yourself

2. Remember this is for you and you are not competing with anybody else.

3. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate

4. If you are trying to lose weight be cautious about eating your exercise burning calories – there’s a balance in there and you will find it with practice – also good to note is that if you eat food that is high calorie, you are not likely to burn it off with reasonable exercise. Ask your doctor for a guide how much to consume in balance with exercise.

5. Use an app to help. I use MyFitnessPal, but I have a routine so it’s hard to veer away. I like that you can log your exercise along with eating, but mostly, I focus on the eating.

6. Consult your doctor before starting exercise. Mine is one of the best cheerleaders who looks at my weight. She also tells me nice things like how she wish she had more patients like me. I can’t help, though, but feel bad for the other patients.

bright cardiac cardiology care — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

7. Find music and/or videos to help you with exercise. I downloaded Spotify and use their Tabata music, complete with timers and even exercise suggestions. There are some great videos on YouTube including Tai Chi, Chair Yoga, Walking and pretty much exercise for any age groups.

8. Senior Centers and other community centers have exercise programs. Where I live there is a city booklet where you can find programs at reasonable pricing and there are even ways to get fee adjustments for those who cannot afford the whole program pricing. There may be community pools open year round.

9. Socializing while exercising is a great way to get your move on and catch up with friends. Joining walking groups or enlisting friends to join in walking are great ways to get your move on. Meetup often has groups with this focus.

10. Don’t overdo it. I cannot stress this enough that you have to listen to your body. Exercise should not bring pain, true pain. Aching may happen, but pain is not good and is a sign to STOP. I have had times when I started exercising and had to stop in five minutes. When you have bad pain days, you have them and it’s time to do something else to take care of you. Maybe a warm soak or hot tea or something in the relaxation realm. Relaxation should be a natural part of your daily routine. What goes on in the mind goes on in the body.

Now, you may have read this list and thought it’s just like any other list you have read. If you got this far, which I hope you did, there is one last and most important thing: YOU GOT THIS!!

black and white laptop — Photo by Prateek Katyal on Pexels.com

Just a little side note: I am not endorsing any of the programs or apps mentioned in this post, these are just some things that have worked for me.

poetry, TTOT

Ten Things of Thankful – October 18

October 18, 2019 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

light landscape sky sunset — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Good Afternoon! It’s that time again for Ten Things of Thankful! Let’s get at it!

1. 2. Fall coolness – it’s awesome to be heading into sweater weather. This is my favorite time of year and while I don’t have to rake leaves (Thankful #2) it’s a great time to get outdoors and take a walk about.

3. 4. 5. Good week for writing and I was able to get something written every day. Especially I am thankful (#4) for Six Sentence Story and (5) I Write Her. Here’s what happened on those two: Six Sentence Story IWriteHer

6. Halloween month – I just like it – carry on

girl holding pumpkin — Photo by Kristina Paukshtite on Pexels.com

7. As this month has a special day for infant loss awareness I rewrote a poem that I wrote about my own experience. I am grateful for being able to write this poem with the assurance of hope. Here is Forever My Sweet Soul and it is a Friend link from Medium so you won’t get a pop up about having to be a member to read. It will eventually get on my blog.

8. Blood Work was AWESOME!!