http://mirrorathlete.com/blog/2010/02/24/how-to-exercise-safely-and-increase-fitness-levels/ Free Ill-Health Prevention, Fitness, Pain Alleviation, Rehabilitation & Hard to Find Boomer Secrets Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:30:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 http://mirrorathlete.com/blog/2010/02/24/how-to-exercise-safely-and-increase-fitness-levels/comment-page-1/#comment-5616 Marc Woodard Wed, 08 Dec 2010 17:17:40 +0000 http://mirrorathlete.com/blog/?p=482#comment-5616 My current fitness routine: Walking daily. I'm now able to walk 8-10 miles on any given day and 14 miles once a week. Within this time I go to the gym and may substitute a walk for aerobics conditioning on recumbant bike, walker, etc. This may/may not include Pilates stretches. Once to twice a week I try to work upper body mixed in with the walks. Upper body usually includes the following: Chest, biceps, tricepts, rotor cuff (shoulders) and ab crunches. All weight bearing exercises are high reps (12-15) and 2-3 sets each. I modify every weight bearing exercise to remove direct pressure on my back. So all exercise with weights braces the back to a stationary position. My biggest challenge with all my exercises: Ensuring I minimize aggravation to my entire back including my neck. For me, exercise is pain managed. This means I experience pain with all activity and exercise. However, to not exercise creates more pain. I choose less pain, so I've learned to pain manage around my pain trigger points. To do any less is not an option for me. My current fitness routine: Walking daily. I’m now able to walk 8-10 miles on any given day and 14 miles once a week. Within this time I go to the gym and may substitute a walk for aerobics conditioning on recumbant bike, walker, etc. This may/may not include Pilates stretches. Once to twice a week I try to work upper body mixed in with the walks. Upper body usually includes the following: Chest, biceps, tricepts, rotor cuff (shoulders) and ab crunches. All weight bearing exercises are high reps (12-15) and 2-3 sets each. I modify every weight bearing exercise to remove direct pressure on my back. So all exercise with weights braces the back to a stationary position. My biggest challenge with all my exercises: Ensuring I minimize aggravation to my entire back including my neck. For me, exercise is pain managed. This means I experience pain with all activity and exercise. However, to not exercise creates more pain. I choose less pain, so I’ve learned to pain manage around my pain trigger points. To do any less is not an option for me. ]]>