Exercise

Exercise: A Path to Vital Self-Transformation

Exercise information can be found by following these three links:

General Exercise Information Including Aerobics, Stretching, and Balance

At the age of 55, I made peace with my body. Despite good health habits, I was on a downhill slope, feeling older, weaker, softer, and more uncomfortable in my skin each year. Strength training changed that. I already had a healthy diet, walked intensely, and did yoga, but I was missing a major component of exercise. I was not actively working to build and maintain muscle.

This photo is of my husband Vic and me with a little equipment. It was taken in 2001. We both began strength training in 2000 and supported each other's transformation. It was inspiring to have a committed training buddy.

Vic died on June 3, 2008 after being sick with lymphoma for two years. You'll find articles about his exercise program during cancer therapy on the home page. Vic never gave up trying to maintain physical strength. I also kept my exercise going during his two years of illness. Even when I could not strength train due to his hospitalization and my exhaustion, I took long outside walks in all weather and returned to strength training and more vigorous aerobics when he was home. In honor of Vic, my training partner, I resumed a full schedule of strength training just weeks after his death. Along with grief and depression following his death, I needed to stay strong to face the massive changes in my life.

I'm including a number of articles about exercise in this section to help you get started transforming your body. Information about aerobics and yoga is everywhere, but it isn't easy to find reliable and sane information about strength exercise. I hope my articles will help you get started.

I'm also providing links to the web sites that have helped me the most. I've been grateful to the people behind these sites for inspiring me and giving me invaluable practical information, but I had to learn, experiment, and become my own trainer. Strength training is a journey that will last for the rest of your life, dramatically changing your body and psyche. Begin slowly and safely. Understand what works so that you can use your precious time efficiently. I've found that all the motivation I need to continue my program comes from the way my body feels and looks. You can't miss the fact that I'm a transformed woman.

Look in the nutrition section of this website for a series of articles on nutrition and health. You can't become strong and fit if you're not supporting your body with optimal nutrition. Then look at the three sections below for detailed exercise information.

My Favorite Strength Training Websites and Books:

Ageless Athletes: A strength training site from a veteran lifter and researcher offering valuable information on all aspects of fitness and the possibility of a personal consultation. The creator of Ageless Athletes publishes Master Trainer, a journal for experienced strength trainers, especially older ones. I've published many articles in this journal and highly recommend it for sane, healthy, and scientifically based advice about exercise and health.

Strong Women: This site focuses on the work of Dr. Miriam Nelson, Director of the Center for Physical Activity and Nutrition and Associate Professor of Nutrition at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. Tufts has done excellent research on strength training for women and older adults. There is much advertising at the site, but also information about motivation, exercise, recipes, etc.

Body Building For Seniors is a site dedicated to strength, health, and fitness for older people. This site has interesting information for those who want to keep their fitness levels high as they age, and it's motivating to see how fit people in their 50s and 60s can be.

Booklist for Nutrition, Herbal Care, and Exercise: A list of books I've found helpful along the way.