Do you
still make New Year’s resolutions? My resolution had been to decide what I want
to be when I grow up – and I’m running out of time! But you may have something
more practical such as one of the most common resolutions: losing weight and
exercising more.
If
your resolution is the latter, here are six suggestions from the National
Council on Aging on how to move more and sit less during the winter months when
the temperatures drop, sidewalks are slippery, and winter weather hinders
outdoor activities.
1.
Explore arthritis-friendly exercise videos. Check out these short videos with
exercises focused on reducing joint pain through stretching and building
strength. There are options for working out your upper and lower body, as well
as trying out Tai Chi, all in your own home. https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/exercise/videos/
Also,
the Arthritis Foundation’s “Walk With Ease” self-directed program is a physical
activity and self-management intervention developed for people living with
arthritis and/or other chronic health conditions who want to be more physically
active. https://extension.oregonstate.edu/walk-ease.
2.
Find an exercise class near you. It can be hard to stay motivated while
exercising alone. Find an exercise class that can offer different options for
activities and provide an opportunity to meet up with friends. You can find
classes at Water’s Edge, The Dalles Fitness and Court Club and at the Center. One
popular class that has been proven
effective
is “Strong Women” (and men) which is available at the Center and CGCC.
3. Go
mall walking. Okay, you aren’t going to find an indoor mall in The Dalles, but
you can walk a good number of steps around Home Depot - if you don’t stop to
check out the latest refrigerators or power tools. There is a “Mall Walking
Resource Guide” found at https://www.cdc.gov/prc/mall_walking.html.
4.
Take steps to prevent falls. If you do walk outside, take precautions to avoid
slips and trips on icy sidewalks. Check out how you can “Winterize to Prevent
Falls” at
https://www.ncoa.org/wp-content/uploads/Winterize-to-Prevent-Falls2.pdf
5. Get
a workout to go. Go4Life’s “Workout to Go” guide has several options for
exercising in your own home, including hand grips, wall pushups, and arm
raises.
6.
Find an indoor community pool or track. We don’t have an indoor track – at
least until the Youth Center is built, but there are pools available at Water’s
Edge or The Dalles Fitness and Court Club.
Whatever
you do it needs to be fun. It can’t be a chore. And the mantra “No Pain, No
Gain” you can forget. You aren’t preparing for the Olympics. Remember to take
your time. You aren’t exercising the body you once had, but the body you now
have!
“Give
the Gift of Warmth” is the theme of this year’s Annual Blanket Drive hosted by
the Wasco County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). On Saturday, January 12, 2019
from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot at 523 East 3rd St. (across the
street from Sawyer’s Ace Hardware) you can drop off NEW or gently used (and
washed) blankets, socks and other warming items. All items collected from this
drive will be donated to The Warming Place in The Dalles, and to Gilliam &
Sherman County Emergency Management.
For
more information about this blanket drive or the Medical Reserve Corps, contact
Tanya Wray at tanyaw@co.wasco.or.us. (541) 506-2631 or visit the North
Central Public Health District webpage at www.ncphd.org.
The
name of the 1960 American heist film starring five of the Rat Pack: Peter
Lawford, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Joey Bishop was Ocean’s Eleven. (Once again because of
the holidays I am writing this early, so I will include the correct responses
in next week’s column.)
There
are several colloquial phrases I remember from growing up in Indiana that I
seldom hear anymore. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the
term commonly used by restaurants, especially diners and cafes, from the 1920s
through the 1950s that referred to a low-priced meal that usually changes
daily? Email your answer to www.mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at
541-296-4788 or send it with the 1926 advertisement in The New York Times for
"The Famous Old Sea Grill Lobster and Chop House" where you could
still get "a steak-and-lots-of-onion sandwich for a dime".
Well,
it’s been another week living day to day. Until we meet again, keep learning,
moving and always keep dreaming.
“I
know. I'm lazy. But I made myself a New Year’s resolution that I would write
myself something really special. Which means I have 'til December, right?” Catherine
O'Hara
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