Just in case you've been wondering where I've been...

[GreenGA]

Oh, I know those things!

A trainer in one of the classes I take uses them all the time.  He just LOVES having the class do a "plank".  This is where you are up on your toes, body straight, like a board, and you are resting on your forearms.  NOT, your stomach.  Of such fun...  Especially when you reach the 1+ minute mark.

I would rather do 200 crunches.  :-[

 

[Eli]

You do 'em on the ball? ;D

 

[Tinker]

I thought of one thing to add. It sounds like some might really benefit from an exercise ball. It's basically like a kid's beach ball, but much more heavy duty (and get a good one, when they're cheap they have a tendency to deflate quite rapidly from a blowout, leaving you on your ass). It's great for sit ups, much easier on your back, and you can really supercharge your core strength if you use dumb bells while sitting or laying on it, because you have to keep your balance while doing it.

I've had one for about five years. I hated laying on the floor and hooking my feet under the couch or a door bar, so wouldn't do my sit ups. With the ball, it's no big deal to crack out thirty at a time every time you see the thing, because it doesn't hurt your back. The few you do are much better than the none you don't when it comes to exercise.

If back is the problem, one needs direction, in my case, from my chiropractor. With the type problems I have, to bend backwards over the beach ball could put me out of commission very permanently.

i told a nurse friend what my problem is and she said it is congenital. When I came home, i told my wife my problems were caused because i was friendly  :

Didn't the nurse mean congenial?

Tinker

 

[tvgordon]

Bill, it's great that you are taking charge of your health and fitness.  BUT, spending your tool budget on something other than tools, are you nuts???  And talking about it on a tool forum - that's just not right.  I think you need to spend some time in your workshop and realise how relaxing and important it is for your mental health.
Seriously though, add strength training to your workout.  The more muscle you have the more calories you burn at rest.  Strength training also helps increase bone density and strength.  Just remember to warm up first (you're not 18 anymore - not that I am either!).
Tom.

 

[Daviddubya]

...i told a nurse friend what my problem is and she said it is congenital. When I came home, i told my wife my problems were caused because i was friendly  :

Didn't the nurse mean congenial?

Tinker

Tinker - Actually the problem is related to the reproductive organs.  The word congenital is derived from the Spanish word "con", meaning "with" and the medical term "genital".  So your problem is "with genital".  See, you learn something new every day!!!  Smile.

 

[Eli]

Bill, it's great that you are taking charge of your health and fitness.  BUT, spending your tool budget on something other than tools, are you nuts???  And talking about it on a tool forum - that's just not right.  I think you need to spend some time in your workshop and realise how relaxing and important it is for your mental health.
Seriously though, add strength training to your workout.  The more muscle you have the more calories you burn at rest.  Strength training also helps increase bone density and strength.  Just remember to warm up first (you're not 18 anymore - not that I am either!).
Tom.

Maybe buy some super heavy hand planes, and plane ceiling boards in place...

 

[Tinker]

Bill, it's great that you are taking charge of your health and fitness.  BUT, spending your tool budget on something other than tools, are you nuts???  And talking about it on a tool forum - that's just not right.  I think you need to spend some time in your workshop and realise how relaxing and important it is for your mental health.
Seriously though, add strength training to your workout.  The more muscle you have the more calories you burn at rest.  Strength training also helps increase bone density and strength.  Just remember to warm up first (you're not 18 anymore - not that I am either!).
Tom.

Maybe buy some super heavy hand planes, and plane ceiling boards in place...

Before nailing in place------
Tinker

 

[bill-e]

Bill, it's great that you are taking charge of your health and fitness.  BUT, spending your tool budget on something other than tools, are you nuts???  And talking about it on a tool forum - that's just not right.  I think you need to spend some time in your workshop and realise how relaxing and important it is for your mental health.
Seriously though, add strength training to your workout.  The more muscle you have the more calories you burn at rest.  Strength training also helps increase bone density and strength.  Just remember to warm up first (you're not 18 anymore - not that I am either!).
Tom.

And why are these friggin running shoes so expensive?  The first pair I bought, umm I mean wasted $120 on, I purchased from a north eastern sports store chain, Olympia Sports....and they sold me the wrong shoes.  So off to a real running store and I spent $95 on another pair better suited for my feet.  Wore them a week using the hotel treadmill and they felt fine...did 12 miles with them.  Got home and ran 4 miles on Saturday and hurt my ankle.  I don't think it was the shoes but I'm a bit gun shy now.  Probably wont run again till this Saturday in order to give my ankle time to recover.  Feels pretty good now so hopefully will be OK by the weekend.

I like the idea of working tools into my strength training.  I'd prefer a Festool HL850 over a hand planer though....I am a power tool guy you know

 

[Bob Marino]

Bill, it's great that you are taking charge of your health and fitness.  BUT, spending your tool budget on something other than tools, are you nuts???  And talking about it on a tool forum - that's just not right.  I think you need to spend some time in your workshop and realise how relaxing and important it is for your mental health.
Seriously though, add strength training to your workout.  The more muscle you have the more calories you burn at rest.  Strength training also helps increase bone density and strength.  Just remember to warm up first (you're not 18 anymore - not that I am either!).
Tom.

And why are these friggin running shoes so expensive?  The first pair I bought, umm I mean wasted $120 on, I purchased from a north eastern sports store chain, Olympia Sports....and they sold me the wrong shoes.  So off to a real running store and I spent $95 on another pair better suited for my feet.  Wore them a week using the hotel treadmill and they felt fine...did 12 miles with them.  Got home and ran 4 miles on Saturday and hurt my ankle.  I don't think it was the shoes but I'm a bit gun shy now.  Probably wont run again till this Saturday in order to give my ankle time to recover.  Feels pretty good now so hopefully will be OK by the weekend.

I like the idea of working tools into my strength training.  I'd prefer a Festool HL850 over a hand planer though....I am a power tool guy you know

Wow, Bill.

Look like a different person.

Bob

 

[Daviddubya]

...And why are these friggin running shoes so expensive?

Bill - Try Road Runner Sports - they have stroes in some cities plus catalog and Internet sales.  Quality stuff at a decent price and knowledgeable sales people.

 

[Bob Marino]

Bill, it's great that you are taking charge of your health and fitness.  BUT, spending your tool budget on something other than tools, are you nuts???  And talking about it on a tool forum - that's just not right.  I think you need to spend some time in your workshop and realise how relaxing and important it is for your mental health.
Seriously though, add strength training to your workout.  The more muscle you have the more calories you burn at rest.  Strength training also helps increase bone density and strength.  Just remember to warm up first (you're not 18 anymore - not that I am either!).
Tom.

Bill,

I think running outdoors on the "open road" is way more taxing on your knees, back and body in general than on a treadmill, epecially since you are 54 (as am I), not 24.

Bob

And why are these friggin running shoes so expensive?  The first pair I bought, umm I mean wasted $120 on, I purchased from a north eastern sports store chain, Olympia Sports....and they sold me the wrong shoes.  So off to a real running store and I spent $95 on another pair better suited for my feet.  Wore them a week using the hotel treadmill and they felt fine...did 12 miles with them.  Got home and ran 4 miles on Saturday and hurt my ankle.  I don't think it was the shoes but I'm a bit gun shy now.  Probably wont run again till this Saturday in order to give my ankle time to recover.  Feels pretty good now so hopefully will be OK by the weekend.

I like the idea of working tools into my strength training.  I'd prefer a Festool HL850 over a hand planer though....I am a power tool guy you know

 

[GreenGA]

Bill,

What do the soles of a pair of your well worn shoes look like?  Are they worn more on the inside or outside?

If so, then you need to get a pair of running shoes that are made for your feet, either pronated (roll your foot/feet in) or supinated (roll your foot/feet out).  I roll my feet to the outside so I needed a pair that was made for someone supinated.  Others in need, most others, need shoes for pronated.  It makes a world, WORLD, of difference.  New Balance has just about the best selection for running shoes and great information on the subject.

You may wish to consider visiting an podiatrist.  My S.O. visited one for her feet and while I was there, I thought "what the hey"...  I found out so much about my feet that I ordered a pair of orthotics.  Best 300 I ever spent.  Well, not really but you know what I mean.

Prior to wearing the orthotics, I would look down at my feet while running on ground or the treadmill and the feet were always splayed outwards.  My right more than my left (left pointing to around 10:30 and my right about 2:00).  If left unchecked this would cause me great discomfort and injury down the road.  After installing the orthotics in my running shoes, my feet now point dead ahead.  A lot of the aches and pains I experienced while running went away.

Something to think about.

Oh yes...

If your feet are not up to running and you have access to a treadmill, climb aboard and set the speed to about 3 mph (the average walking speed) but set the incline to something greater than 7%.  The cardio benefits of walking like this for 30 minutes equals or surpasses that of running for 30 minutes at double the speed.

 

[bill-e]

GreenGA, I am over-pronated and the current shoe is a stability shoe for over-pronators.  My original shoes were for supinated feet because the chain store had no idea what they were doing.

So I think I have the correct type of shoe, now to find one that feels good.  :

David, I had checked out RoadRunner but being new to all this I wanted to first go to a local store and find the right type of shoe.  I've done that so now I still need to try on a few more.  Once I have a good feel for the brands and sizes, I'll likely try RoadRunner's 60 day fit guarantee

 

[Eli]

I second the vote for New Balance. The only sneakers I'll wear.

Another great tip for your back is change shoes at lunch if you stand all day. My lower back problems disappeared when I started changing my shoes and doing more core work. The Tempur-pedic mattress didn't hurt either.

BTW, Bill, your new picture looks great.

 

[bill-e]

If there's one thing I've learned in these last few month both through experience and reading, absolutely nobody really agrees on shoes.  What's stable and cushioned for one is too hard and flexible for another.  It's very individual.

I think I probably will try a podiatrist at some point soon as I do have one foot that points out and from what I can tell they have different degrees of pronation.

 

[GreenGA]

The different degrees of pronation would greatly benefit from a visit to the podiatrist.  If you were to have a pair of custom made orthotics, of the proper material, they would compensate for the differences and bring everything back into line.

If you lived in the South Jersey or Philadelphia area I could recommend a podiatrist, although for some reason, I doubt you live 'round these parts.

 

[Tinker]

Bill, in your last post, you mention cushioning.  I have always loved to run.  not long distance or even jogging.  However, i have found in recent years that ALL running is almost out for me.  i have so many swollen and herniated discs and a dislocated pair of vertibrae, that almost any running will cripple me (so far only tempoarily).  also, with one leg shorter than other, it is almost impossible to match a lift with enough cushioning.  I have tried an ortopedic MD, my shoe repairer, web sites of shoe makers, (private and commercial such as Redwing, Chippewa, Timberland, etc, etc)  In your own research, have you come across a site I might find answers.  (I do not wish to go down the surgery trail>>> too many friends have had too many horror stories and I am not interrested) (Medicare would prefer I take medication>>> ain't no way I will go that route.) 

This is not a sob story, i have dealt with the problem for over 50 years, 30+ as a mason contractor.
Tinker

This is not a sob story.

 

[jonny round boy]

Wow, Bill.

Look like a different person.

Bob

Woah, you're not wrong there! Competely different - Well done Bill! I need to do the same thing in the new year, 'cos Jonny Round Boy is getting rounder by the day!!!

 

[Dan Clark]

Bill,

I'm impressed with the weight loss, but I just noticed your new pic.  WOW!!! That's amazing!  You look totally different!  Nice job!

Dan.

 

[bill-e]

Thanks guys for the comments.  Now if I could only get younger and better lookin

Tinker.  I really just came to the realization that I have foot issues so I have not as yet explored anything but some commercial shoe sites and message boards.

I would think though that a sports medicine center would have a properly trained podiatrist who might better be able to address your issues.

I can say that for a neutral gate, the ASICS Gel Nimbus 9 are about as cushioned as they come and feel like you're running feet are landing on foam....they just didn't properly support my feet.

If I do run across something I'll shoot it over to you though.

GreenGA, thanks, New Hampshire here.  I'm lucky to be situated between UMASS and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical centers which have renowned sports medicine facilities (and are Blue Cross participants) so I'll probably look for a podiatrist attached to one of those hospitals.