wb416As I was snowshoeing in a new trail through knee to hip deep snow last week I thought of you. There I am having to pick up those shoes to nearly waist level each time, working hard enough to stay warm in just a T-shirt, with a severe clear sky and not another human within miles. And I thought of you.
Anyway, through the sweat because it was very warm at about 30 degrees I was meditating on your original post about exercises to develop and maintain health. Over the years I've seen many articles and posts like that. But, I've come to realize there is no substitute for knowing the human body and an individual's body in specific.
The rules I was taught and have found successful are not associated with specific exercises; but with the parameters of them.
-Unless being done for a short period, like a wind sprint, keep all exercises aerobic. A person should always be able to talk while exercising.
-Health/fitness is a life long style of living; not a specific short term program. It is the long term choices of everything a person does.
-Food and rest choices are just as important as actual exercise.
-Don't be afraid to hurt a little. Until form starts to suffer or you have the "burn" you are doing well.
-Be patient. It will take some time to get in the shape you wish. That is fine; you have the rest of your life. Plus, your standards and desires will probably change. They have for most everyone I know.
-Avoid "diets", or short time exercise programs like the plague.
-Know Why you are maintaining a healthy life. For me it isn't about looking good or maintaining a certain society determined weight. It is about being able to do things I want to do. It is about having as much quality in my life as I can; not having quantity of life.
Anyway, such were the meditiations as I was slogging along on the shoes.