Getting back into the workout routine after taking several days off is tough. I recently found out just how tough it is. It was only a 12-day interruption, but boy, I felt it! I hope and plan never to take such a long break from daily exercise again if I can help it.
This go-’round was difficult because of planes, trains, and automobiles. It’s tough getting a workout in while traveling. I think if I planned better and tried harder, I could have gotten a workout in, but with so many things in a state of flux, I just couldn’t figure it out.
Senior Citizen Workout Tools
Now that I’m of age, I have signed up for a Medicare Advantage Plan. With this plan, I enjoy the benefit of having Silver Sneakers. No, they don’t send me a pair of silver sneakers. Silver Sneakers is a program that allows older folks like me to work out at participating gyms without paying an additional charge.
Note: Original Medicare, as offered at medicare.gov, does not offer Silver Sneakers. You have to get a Medicare Advantage Plan. Several insurance companies offer these plans. Do an internet search to find providers in your area. The premium for the insurance plan is covered through Medicare. In other words, there’s no extra charge.
Before signing up, please note the fine print . There are some situations when it might not be the best option for you.
Gyms such as Planet Fitness, Gold’s Gym, LA Fitness, and more participate in the Silver Sneakers program. I’ve yet to try it out since my benefits begin next month, but you can bet I’ll give it a shot. My home gym is more like a health club, and they don’t participate in the program. That’s fine by me. What I need is the ability to use a gym while traveling, and Silver Sneakers satisfies that need.
Additional Silver Sneakers Benefits
In addition to working out at participating gyms, they have on-demand online workouts (so does my home gym). Some gyms have pools, hot tubs, showers, and group exercise classes, while others have basic equipment.
Now that I’m a Silver Sneakers member, I have a fully-equipped gym bag in my vehicle for those “I’m on an extended road trip and need to work out” occasions.
There’s a Silver Sneakers Go app that is probably very useful for finding participating gyms. However, when I looked at their Privacy Policy, I decided to use alternative means for finding participating gyms. The Silver Sneakers Go app had too much personal information sharing for my liking.
Back to Working Out
Fortunately, the 12-day lapse in exercise wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Don’t get me wrong, I felt it a little the day after the body pump class, but it was nothing like when I first started working out. When I first started, it took three days for my body to start functioning properly. After my 12-day hiatus, I was able to live life as usual with the occasional reminder of my workout lapse.
I read an article or maybe watched a video about exercise being the indicator of a long and healthy life. More so than eating, drinking, or smoking. I don’t know how true it is, but I was happy about the news since I’m enjoying my exercise journey.
It is my habit to eat a relatively clean diet, and I don’t smoke but do enjoy my chardonnay. If exercise is the key to a long and healthy life, I’ll keep it up (along with my chardonnay). After all, now that I’m of Silver Sneaker age, this gal has earned her chardonnay privilege.
By the way, if you have any Silver Sneakers advice, I’m all ears!
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Felicia, thank you for another informative post. Since I enjoy exercising, this was one of my favorites. An achy knee has caused me to miss a few regular gym days, but while aging knees may slow me down, it will not stop me. I believe in Willie Jolly’s philosophy. He says, “A setback is nothing but a setup for a comeback!” As always, I’m looking forward to your next post.
The one thing I note about working out now versus when I was younger is that ice packs seem to be a part of the routine. Whether it’s a knee or hip, ice packs are always at the ready.
I agree with Willy Jolly. Setbacks and comebacks are part of the routine. My husband and I call ourselves Weebles. I don’t know if you remember the old commercial “Weebles wobble but they don’t fall down.” Yep, that’s us! 😀 I have the feeling that you’re a Weeble too.
Hi, Felicia. It’s always great to see you post. I think we may be watching the same videos. Dr. Peter Attia, MD, who you likely came across before, is someone I watch regularly on YouTube. He’s one of the leading lifespan/healthspan authorities and, in fact, that’s the sole focus of his practice. He says VO2 max is, by far, the best marker for longevity followed by strength (power in particular). Here’s a clip from the Joe Rogan podcast where he speaks on it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92kYDVjX0G0
Hi Dave,
I think we hang out in the same neighborhoods. I knew I read/watched something about that and I think the video you link to might have been the one I watched. I’ve learned a lot from Dr. Attia. Some of his info goes over my head, but I usually walk away having learned something and making a few positive changes.
Thanks for linking to the video.