Now we start training again! We are intermittent when it comes to exercise, and the last period of "non-exercise" has been very long. This, together with cortisone tablets and weight gain, means that we are not in good shape at all. But we must try to change that!
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We have trained in periods
If you have been following our blog for a while, you know that we have been training in periods. In 2013, we worked hard on our training programme. Tapout XT at home in front of the TV for 90 days. Then, when we travelled around Europe by campervan in 2015, we had periods when we stood still and did the Tapout programme in a tent, which we got just to train. Compared to now, we were in very good shape then!
What happened to training then?
We have trained in rounds even in recent years, but the periods between training sessions have become longer and longer. Of course, there is always something to blame. Stress, busy schedules, travelling at irregular times and evening events with bubbly and canapés, for example. Above all, however, it is health that has had an impact.
A year of health problems
Last summer, Peter's shoulders and knees became so painful that he could barely walk. After countless doctor's appointments, and above all, a lot of waiting Between all these doctor's visits, he was finally prescribed a long and tough course of cortisone. The pain eventually went away, but instead he gained weight.
Last spring he decided to quit smoking, which of course is fantastic for his health, but made him even more hungry and craving ... with even more weight gain as a result. And I (Helena) have probably followed the same path. More wine and less exercise has not been good for me either.
Now we have had enough
You come to a limit in the end, when you feel that you have to must make a change. For Peter, it is very much about being able to wear his regular clothes again. He has a whole wardrobe with lots of nice shirts and jackets, and he can hardly use them. a single clothing.
He has bought some big t-shirts and jumpers and wears almost the same clothes all the time. But now we've had enough! Peter has just come off the cortisone and wants to get back in shape. I'm happy to tag along, hoping for better shape and more energy.
This is our plan
We know it won't be easy, but we have been planning for this for a long time, so we feel mentally prepared. We will eat better food, with more vegetables and fruit. We will also stop drinking beer and wine at home (a vice!). There may be exceptions on special occasions and when we have guests, but otherwise it will be water. We have now stocked up lots of mineral water and stocked the fridge, so that we will always have access to good cold sparkling water.
We walk to my (Helena's) work every day, and Peter has now started jogging back. In the evenings, we now start again with our "usual" Tapout programme in front of the TV on the lower deck. We have been driving a passport so far, and have a whole bunch ahead of us.
To begin with, we will have to modify a lot (it is a tough workout and we are very untrained!), but as long as we get started we are happy. We must say that it feels really good to be up and running again! Perfect time to train now that it is autumn and darker as well.
What is it like for you? Do you find it easy to exercise, do you not exercise at all, or are you a seasonal exerciser like us?
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Lena - good for the soul says:
Go! So nice when you are in shape.
I'm also periodic, but it rarely goes so far that I give up completely for a long period of time. When I was single, I exercised at least three times a week and drank almost no alcohol. Now you could say that I'm happy if I manage to do it once a week.... and the wine... well, a couple of glasses every Friday and Saturday at least nowadays. And it feels ... and is visible. I have to tighten up, so thanks for the pep!
Hug Lena
09 October 2019 - 6:30
Helena says:
No, I can't imagine that you are slacking off as long as we are 😉 Then there has been this with Peter's sore knee and the cortisone that has caused it, but now we will try to do something about it! And do not forget that you need a little gold edge sometimes too! 🙂
09 October 2019 - 7:14
Anette says:
I am also a seasonal worker. After moving home from Bangkok, I thought everyday exercise would do the trick, cycling to and from work every day.
Unfortunately, it is not enough so now I have a card at Friskis and Svettis and also try to be healthier in the weeks, just a little party at the weekend.
Good luck with the new period.
09 October 2019 - 6:33
Helena says:
I completely recognise myself. We also try everyday exercise by walking to work. But that's not enough, especially in combination with a little too nice eating habits 😉.
09 October 2019 - 7:15
Ruth in Virginia says:
Thought so, that as you have been eating and drinking for the past few
months, you must have gained weight. All that good food
plus beer and wine in different countries. Of course you have to try everything
for the sake of politeness. - Then there is also the age ......
Unfortunately, you'll never be what you were, but it's worth it!
to try. Go, go, go!!!
09 October 2019 - 6:41
Helena says:
Absolutely true, and also with age. But we will try to improve the conditions a little anyway 😉 Thanks for the cheer!!! 🙂
09 October 2019 - 7:16
Lisa / Let's go Explore says:
How nice to get started again!
I'm not a seasonal exerciser, the training is always there, but I've had to accept that the time is only enough for about 2 sessions rather than 3-4 a week. And less qualitative because when I do run, it becomes more for well-being too, so rather jogging or mountain biking or floorball than really good sessions at the gym. But better than nothing.
Go for it, so good that you are doing this together!
09 October 2019 - 7:41
Helena says:
Soooo impressed by everyone who manages to keep training in the long run! Well done! And mountain biking or floorball sounds like great training to me! 🙂
10 October 2019 - 7:43
Petra says:
I am also periodic when it comes to training, unfortunately ..... Have started quite well now lately? Recognise me in the weight gain as I myself currently go on cortisone tablets due to muscle rheumatism ... But we will come again! Cheer us on?
09 October 2019 - 8:04
Helena says:
Sorry about the side effects... But glad you're up and running! Cheer us on! 🙂
10 October 2019 - 7:44
4000mil says:
I usually try to keep going, but it's always a constant battle against time. Just packed the training bag after an involuntary break of 1.5 weeks. Work in Stockholm, visit with my dad in Gävle, alone with the kids and managing Lina's grocery bag, homework, horseback riding etc. have caused the break. It is difficult to be perfect in all areas of life at the same time. 🙂
09 October 2019 - 8:24
Helena says:
Impressed by everything you can do Gunilla! No, it's really not easy to be perfect at everything everywhere all the time... 😉.
10 October 2019 - 7:45
Mr Steve says:
There is a time for everything. For me, it's exercise enough to make sure I get up every day and get around at home.
09 October 2019 - 8:45
Helena says:
That is indeed the case! Good to stay as mobile as you can, based on the conditions you have!
10 October 2019 - 7:46
Ditte says:
Good luck! And if you want to, you usually can. So yes, this will be good. But illness can also limit. I have periodically eaten cortisone and in strong doses and it affects so that the body swells. Intravenous did not affect me. I walk a lot, about 10,000 steps a day and often more and think that I can't eat more calories than I spend. Then I have a perfect old exercise programme that my father once devised called "BRAK" - abdomen, back, arms and knees that you can do at home and your own body is the weights. Do this programme three days a week and it gives you strength and good energy.
09 October 2019 - 9:16
Helena says:
It sounds like a good combination with long walks and other exercise. That's kind of how we think too!
10 October 2019 - 7:46
Emma, sun like sun? says:
I've hardly ever exercised, except when I was at school, when it was all about dancing. But I've always been pretty active, with a big garden and all that entails. Cutting the grass took four hours, that's a pretty good workout.
However, I have always needed to train my stomach and back muscles because I'm tall and overly flexible, my shoulders fall forward, and I have poor posture. And in my 50s, a little belly suddenly appeared. Where on earth did it come from? I have NEVER had a belly! Well, except when I was pregnant.
Swimming in the pool a little almost every day but now it starts to attract less because the temperature is falling. In any case, I have started to walk more, walking with my son to school and he just whines, can't we take the car!? But I say no, he needs to move around too.
I should probably make use of those pilates exercises I have as well. Should...
Good for you for taking action!
09 October 2019 - 9:35
Helena says:
You can move in many different ways! For the sake of health, active everyday activities go a long way, at least as long as you do them regularly and get some breath 😉 Cutting grass sounds perfect! 🙂 And smart to walk instead of taking the car, when you can. It's a constant challenge this ... 😉 .
10 October 2019 - 7:48
Monica says:
Hey, hey, hey, hey,
As several have pointed out - there is actually an age perspective in this too. It's certainly not that you're old people, but it's true that the metabolism slows down over the years and it becomes more difficult to maintain the weight you had when you were young. Few manage it. Many are driven into fanatical health journeys where, at the age of 90, you have to do strength training and walk at least 18,000 steps a day. For good fitness, daily walks are actually enough, especially if you have joint/atrophy problems, and to keep the weight off and lose weight, the best thing to do is what you are already doing - cut down on calories. You are already eating healthily but there are villains: beer is one of them. We've all heard about "liquid bread" and beer belly. We still have our French habits of apéro and wine with dinner, but we've removed the snacks and drink mostly white wine, which has the lowest calorie content. It's good to feel healthy but also to treat yourself to joy in everyday life!!!
09 October 2019 - 11:32
Helena says:
Of course the body changes with age, it's true! And of course you should treat yourself to joy and pleasure! The reason we want to start exercising now is because we feel that we don't feel good right now, but hope to feel better. For us, there is relatively often wine at events and parties and the like, so removing the wine at home does not make it disappear completely 😉.
10 October 2019 - 8:00
TravelAnna says:
Go for it! You usually go all in for things so this will go well. But it is of course sad to hear that Peter has been so bad. Good that he stopped the cortisone!
I've been exercising regularly since 2005 (without interruption except when I've been ill, of course). My tip is to let it become a "must routine" just like brushing your teeth. Then, of course, it helps that I am close to the gym and can control my time a lot.
Good luck!
09 October 2019 - 13:54
Helena says:
Great job by you Anna! I'm so impressed by everyone who makes it a routine! We try it and sometimes succeed for half a year or so, but then it is forgotten, unfortunately ... But now we are on G, so it feels good! Thank you!
10 October 2019 - 8:14
TravelAnna says:
Just commented and saw my comment published but now it's gone! Can you check what happened?
09 October 2019 - 14:54
TravelAnna says:
Now it appears again ... Is it haunted? 😉
09 October 2019 - 14:55
Helena says:
The comments are not supposed to be visible until we approve them (this was required to become a responsible publisher), but sometimes it seems that the person who published their comment first sees it quickly before it disappears. Strange! But as I said, they should not be published immediately. I approve as soon as I can! 🙂
10 October 2019 - 8:15
TravelAnna says:
Aha, then I get it! The strange thing was that my comment was visible for a long time and the post said "14 comments". Then it was suddenly 13 and it was gone, only to reappear later. Maybe just a temporary glitch! 😉
10 October 2019 - 17:32
Helena says:
Yes, it's strange, isn't it? Someone else said something similar. Don't know what is happening... 😉 😉
10 October 2019 - 19:13
BP says:
Wishing you all the best of luck! Agree with Ruth there. I mean you don't turn down good meals and different drinks when you are travelling/eventing. quitting smoking is also a big contributing factor to weight gain. I remember a girlfriend who stopped smoking at the age of 60. 6 months later she had gained 25(!) kilos in weight. She eventually had gastric bypass surgery.
It's great that Peter stopped taking cortisone, because even cortisone has the side effect of making you incredibly hungry and often increasing your cravings.
It's good that you want to do something about it before it gets out of hand.
Once again - good luck!
09 October 2019 - 20:15
Helena says:
Yes, there are many things at once that contributed ... Thank you!
10 October 2019 - 19:13
Ama de casa says:
How nice that Peter is better now and that he has managed to quit smoking is absolutely superb!
I'm probably a bit of a procrastinator when it comes to training. I HAVE trained before. Went to aerobics and step-up (the reason was that if I did it, Anders promised to come along and ride an Icelandic horse 😉 ).
But my training was not in this millennium... But who knows? A new training period could be on the horizon? There's even a gym on the boat. I've heard. 😀
No, my "exercise" will continue to consist of walking. But better to move a little than not at all.
Good luck with the restart!
09 October 2019 - 20:50
Helena says:
Yes, it's actually fantastic that he quit smoking! 🙂 And hehe, maybe you have long periods. Or 5:2 (five years of rest, two years of training)? No seriously, walking is good! And definitely, any movement is better than no movement!
10 October 2019 - 19:15
Christine - 29°. says:
Go for it! And tough with Tapout XT. I like that workout too. 🙂
But I am definitely a seasonal exerciser. During the winter/travelling, I train automatically via the surf. Then I cycle to and from work (2 miles/day) during spring, summer and early autumn. And now from the end of October I put the bike away and switch to the gym to train the paddle muscles (and because I think it's too cold outside. Ha, ha! ).
09 October 2019 - 21:03
Helena says:
Thank you very much! And glad you know about Tapout! We think it's a varied and fairly fun workout. It is indeed too tough for us right now, but we adapt the exercises sometimes, and skip some. It is still good and varied training for us. How good it sounds with surf, bike and gym. Awesome!
10 October 2019 - 19:17