Favorite Way To Exercise?

Yes, I am on cement. Here in the big city, there are these cement strips that run parallel to streets. They're called sidewalks. I use those when I'm walking. I ride my bicycle in the street on side streets and on sidewalks on main streets.

That's a fright!

Maybe you can do what the mailmen do -- they carry water pistols with ammonia in them. It takes a really insane dog not to stop cold and run away when that gets near their snouts.

Sidewalks?!! I thought they were bicycle and skateboard roads.

Way up at the north end of Manhattan is a stand of old growth forest. Really! I keep meaning to go up there, but it's several miles, and it seems silly to take a bus so you can go for a walk at the end of the bus ride. But it's very beautiful -- an estuary of the Hudson while it's still a river and not the salt pool it turns into at the southern point.

We finally have Hudson River walks the whole continuous length of the island. I use them too.

No, I don't like to go by the forest preserve. It gives me the creeps. Has ever since I was a kid.

Here in Chicago, there is a renewed interest in the Chicago River with riverwalks and such, but it is in its infancy. Mayor Daley and the park district are letting the communities that the river passes through decide what to do. I've only seen it from the el, but the riverwalk in Chinatown looks real nice.

I like to dance/swim/ and/or walk!

The group I'm in doesn't do any competive dancing but we've had quite a few performances lately. We'll be at a gentleman's wedding in the near future, his bride to be is from Ireland but there's been some hangup with the Visa so that'll be a short notice type of thing. Then we're free until the Renaissance Festival Columbus day weekend which will be all the better this year because my first "real" kilt will be in by then.

I'm glad to hear it I was looking for something other than yoga which happens to be very popular around here. I've tried yoga and I can respect those who practice but I know it's not for me. You've given me the encouragement I need to try Tai Chi, I was unaware that it included breathing techniques.

My Sensai in Jiu-jitsu included a lot of "shadow boxing" in his warm-ups among other things so I'm hoping the transition to kickboxing won't be too difficult. I'm sure I'll be nursing a few aches but it's all good stuff.

Yes, Pilates is an eye opener...I'm not too familiar with it, I've only tried it a few times and this was only with a video, but just after a few tries I felt it! Works all the core muscles..

In general what keeps me interested in my workouts is doing the things I like but mixing it up. The moment something becomes easy I kick it up a notch. Sometimes the length of the workout increases and others it's the intensity. All depends.

Jiu Jitsu!!!!!

As for kickboxing, we have Jean-Yves Theriault teaching kickboxing once a week at our dojo. Jean-Yves held the World Middleweight kickboxing title for 15 years (23 time world champion).

Thanks, I've been around but quiet. I actually meant martial arts and weights separately, although some nights it feels like I'm wearing ankle and wrist weights when I train. I do, however, do slow punching with 10 to 20 pound dumbells as part of my weight routine. It hurts (in a good way)!!! Barring a really bad injury, I can't see myself stopping jiu jitsu. I am now into training mode for my black belt test which will be more than likely in the spring. My daughter just got her brown belt on Tuesday and my son got his purple belt (purple-brown-black).

I rode my bike about two miles tonight, but not in a straight line. I did a circuitous tour of my neighborhood. I strapped a Gatorade bottle filled with water to the bottle holder and took off.

BTW, empty Gatorade bottles make awesome water bottles, especially if you like to freeze 'em like I do. Just remember to not fill them up all the way. Remember what your 5th grade science teacher taught you: Water expands when it freezes. If you put a full bottle in the freezer, the bottle will crack.

Jean-Yves Theriault! It is I who should be you!

I've been busy so I'm just reading this message now. It's great to know that your family is interested in martial arts.The benefits are huge. I got hooked the moment I was introduced, it's a great discipline and the benefits last a lifetime. I don't know about you but I sleep so well!!

Gee you guys have really been busy!!! Way to go everyone...

Eiric- what kind of dancing do you like? Glad your here..

talleyrand how exciting let us know how you do...good luck-when is it like the 10th and 11th?

Eventide- just called on my Tai Chi class it begins this coming week.. Wish me luck I am sure it will make me sore.. Let me know if you take it and you like it..I didn't like yoga much either I am not that patient--

Keltic- I know what you mean about the feeling of weights tied to your body-oh I hate that..some days I always feel like that LOL. I am so happy for you and your family!! How neat.. so you have the go ahead on your test then??? Cool any idea of how many hours is your test? The last Tae Kwan Do black belt test I attended was 7 hours long very few water breaks.. They all passed.. One man is 50 something is a border patrol and has several black belts in the different martial arts..I don't know how he does it..Please let me know...

Mike, thats great! Sounds like your having fun.. What are you going to do when it snows??? Got to have a plan.....Funny with your water bottle I have done that learned my lesson my entire bag was soaked...

I have done the treadmill 4 days this week plan on doing it again tomorrow.. I start my Tai Chi this week -hope I am ready....

Keep up the great work everyone..

Slainte

Ya know..I have been wondering about some sort of martial arts for my son. He will be 9 on friday and his Dad (and all of his family) have been pressuring me to get him into football...which my son tried last year and hated! On his Dad's side of the family they are a football/basketball playing lot but my son does not like either of them. He likes soccer right enough but I was thinking maybe something else to help him - with learning restraint, respect, calmness and many other wonderful things you can learn while in a sport, no matter what kind. Any advice? My son is tall for his age and probably will be but he is not gangly/akward...he's got good balance and what not. Just wondering since so many of you seem to know alot about it and have the experience I don't...all advice welcome....

Some kind of martial arts -- or maybe dance? Highland dancing? Modern jazz? If you had it (he could get it here!) west african dancing is extremely athletic.

I think it would be a mistake to pressure him into something he will hate. Especially a team sport -- it will affect the team as well as him, and that's not kind.

Martial arts sounds reasonable to me.

If I ever have a son, he'll have two choices of organized team sports to play: baseball or basketball. Football and hockey are out. Football is too dangerous IMHO for a developing body. Hockey you have to pay handsomely to join a private league, pay even more handsomely for the equipment and drag them to practice at 6AM.

Amy, you know what I am going to say...LOL No in all honesty, let him have a try at the martial arts.. I have seen kids as young as 5 which is really to young they don't have the attention span-but 9 is the perfect age-the boys always feel so cool taking it- they soon learn its not something you are suppose to go around bragging so that makes it even more cool..
He can always quit if he doesn't like it.. Its good to be tall in Tae Kwan Do as it is a lot of kicks..and your opponent has a hard time kicking your head. It might be wise to go watch a class first. IT can be scary at first but after you see yourself doing these things that you never dreamed of-can totally build your self confindence. You need to see what kind of instructor you want to. I have had the very strict military style and one that is layed back..I think it depends on the person who is taking the class can they handle military style...?? You know your son...
Wish him a Happy Birthday from me too..
This is just in my 2 cents worth- Let us know what happens..OK...take care Amy!

Slainte