The daily writing prompt is asking – What are your favorite physical activities or exercises?
Exercise wise, I walk a bit and lift some light weights to try to keep some form. Activities are playing with my grandchildren in any way possible. Pretending to be whatever animal they want to ride. Teaching them sports, running through a sprinkler together or swimming while on vacation.
If my health holds up over the winter, I’m looking forward to getting on a basketball court again. I loved playing ball and I miss it greatly. I think I’m going to try to hit the court every day that it’s nice out in 26.
There are a ton of physical activities I do around the home and yard and that is a lot of my physical workout. None are my favorites but after they are all done, I do feel that the exercise was worth it and I save a fortune in paying others to do it.
Can’t wait for March Madness and warmer temps to return. Photo by Mike Hartley
The daily writing prompt asks – What is your favorite form of physical exercise?
I’m looking forward to a new favorite form of exercise. I just was reminded of this as I walked past my son’s first bike that I had pulled down from the attic. I pumped up the tires, oiled and cleaned it and thought about where I was going to get some training wheels so his son can ride it when he comes to visit.
All my grandchildren are growing fast and will be using our big front yard for many games in the future, so you know I’ll be playing along, trying to keep up and getting some good exercise watching the smiles of my favorite people.
I can only do my favorite form of exercise in a very limited way and really haven’t in a long time. That is playing basketball. Yeah, I can walk around and shoot and dribble with both hands well, but my right knee is injured and probably needs surgery if I want to run again. It feels a lot like the torn MCL that I had decades ago in the other knee. It’s the only limb I haven’t had surgery on.
As lame as it may sound, walking, dumbbells and learning some stretching and exercises for my back are my favorites now. I get a lot of exercise taking care of things around the house and yard but those aren’t my favorites.
Washing and detailing the car is fun and exercise. And on a sunny summer day when I’m headed to the beach with it the exercise of pushing in the clutch and shifting is great exercise for my mind.
The daily writing prompt asks – How often do you walk or run?
I’m walking just about every day since mid-last year. Since I strained or tore my MCL in my right knee I’m not doing any running. I’m going to look into getting that taken care of sometime this winter.
I love to walk. Be it on the treadmill or out and about. The last being my favorite obviously. That is another reason why I dread winter now. More treadmill time. I’m just not a cold weather person.
A couple miles a day is average. Sometimes I’ll get into a few more miles if its a good day or we are out sightseeing
A man and his best friend on their morning walk. Photo by Mike Hartley
What’s the most fun way to exercise? – The daily writing prompt is into how we take care of ourselves.
I smiled at my first thought, but I’ll leave that one alone.
I’d still love to play basketball for exercise, but it’s been a while since I’ve spent sunrise to sunset on the courts. I still believe basketball is a very good workout for both strength and stamina. But my playing days are over.
I enjoy long walks for exercise now. Some light weights in between working on the computer. Yard work also keeps me fit and I like the way it looks when done. Watching grandkids is both fun and exercise so that might be the winner.
Take that walk, pause and reflect. Always be honest with yourself. Photo by Mike Hartley
I’m finding one of my keys to exercise is to do it early. I’ve been able to get most of my workout in before noon recently. I’ll be walking around shooting today and that will help put a few more miles on the body. A friend who is an avid walker is getting geared up for the outdoor season. I’ll have to venture over the northern Maryland border, pay him a visit and see if I can keep up with him.
Trail along the Patapsco. Photo by MIke Hartley
Random Thoughts of the Morning
I never thought I would be applaud so much by people that I thought had integrity.
Maybe I can capture that photograph that changes the world today.
When I roll my neck this morning it sounds like a truck going down a gravel road.
I was tired of winter before I looked at this weeks forecast of rain, freezing rain, sleet and snow.
I was losing momentum and getting down. Life will do that to you every so often, but I’m on the right track again. As a friend tells me “it’s not what happens to you, it’s how you react that matters” and as usual he is right. So, I’m going to stay positive this weekend.
One thing I feel really good about is my goal of walking a few miles on the treadmill each day besides the other regular walking in life and photography hikes I take. I see the Red Cross has a 100-mile challenge/fundraiser for the month of February.
Take that walk, pause and reflect. Photo by Mike Hartley
I’m tempted to try it but I’m only averaging 2 miles on the treadmill each day and that will require 4 miles a day. I do a fair amount of other walks throughout the day most of the week, but my right knee has been an issue with pain for a couple of months now.
The short-term goal is to sprinkle in some 3 mile days and then make that the norm for maybe another month and then evaluate. The thing I like about it is that even if I have a lazy and catch some sports and just tinker around the house, I’m still getting a few miles walk in and some light weights.
I like the treadmill because it’s an even surface. Yes, I love getting out also but I step much differently outside. I’ve torn my ankles up enough for several people over the years.
It feels like it helps my balance which was getting suspect for a bit. It helped me relax and unwind. Also using it to multitask. If I’m going to watch a game, why not walk and watch. I’m also thinking of things to write about as my mind wanders during commercials.
I see yesterday January 10th was quitters day. I believe I read somewhere, a study said 80% of New Years goals will be given up on by the second Friday in the month. Luckily for me its full speed ahead on exercise as well as a few others.
What’s the most fun way to exercise? – The Daily Writing prompt wants to know.
I won’t go into the first thing that popped to mind. So Basketball has always been the most fun way to exercise in my history. I haven’t played much in recent years though. I enjoy the game a lot and the workout is great. And now that the last of the old cars is going out of the driveway, I can resume some occasional hoops.
Walking the great state of Maryland with my cameras and working on the yard and home is probably my fun exercise now. Walking on the beach. Stretching out on my deck.
And while some heavy yardwork/exercise is always felt in the body, the workout the grandchildren give me is pretty strenious. At least I feel worn out at the end of the day when they go home.
