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Similar anecdote; I'm middle aged and have become fairly sedentary over the past few years but life is busy & a little complex so not easy to get back to a gym

Similar anecdote; I'm middle aged and have become fairly sedentary over the past few years but life is busy & a little complex so not easy to get back to a gym or regular cycling. I've recently started doing step-ups when I first get up in the morning whilst waiting for the kettle to boil. I've a strong coffee table which is about 20"/50cm high and I do five steps leading with each leg, then switch legs and repeat until the kettle boils. I'm currently up to a total of about 50 step-ups and get my heart rate up to 145-155 region in that time. No sweat and no stiffness. I'm not sure how much this is actually doing but having seen a few things on HIT recently it could well be a very good two minutes for my health. I've noticed a difference in how I can now spring up a couple of flights of stairs so something is changing for the better. The most important for me is I can fit it in with zero 'cost' to my time and it's fairly easy to do every day. Edited to add I also stand on one leg when cleaning my teeth. I've an electric toothbrush which 'pings' every 30 seconds so I swap legs each ping. Again it's zero time and may well be helping a little with balance and some of the core fitness.

RobertRoberts 9y ago
That's a great idea, I may have to try that. I am already tired of the same exercises. I did run into an issue though. Just like you, I'd exercise while my milk was heating up (quick coffee, switched to hot chocolate (organic, don't give me greif)) but when I cut back on that too, it affected the number of times I worked out. lol. :P Any suggestions on how to get a routine in where there's not triggering event?
- Steve44 9y ago
  No direct suggestions, sorry. One thing though with the milk you need to think about and keep watching as you don't want it boiling over but with the kettle I can just leave it. I'm going to see if I can start doing things like full bodyweight squats or possibly press ups for zero time but not sure either would get my heart going like those steps do. My stopping of the gym was due to the kids changing schools so my routing changed. Like with your cutting back one small change can have consequences you'd never consider.
  - RobertRoberts 9y ago
    You may want to try a short jog to fill in the missing work out. That is how I started. I determined to do just 10 minutes a day. I ran in my pajamas and crocs for the first few months, on a treadmill. My rule was never run faster than it hurts, and in the first 10 min run I probably did half a mile (lol, walking speed :P) But running didn't help me with my neck and back or arms, so that's why I started with the upper body stuff, but I am noob with this. :P With the milk I microwave it, I have electric kettle for the tea though. Maybe I will have to make my self drink more tea to my exercise in? Another note on the jogging thing, I run on the balls of my feet, to avoid knee/hip/spine issues associated with running. Though it's more strain on your calfs/ankles/tendons (soft tissues that repair easier than cartilage), and it's a little more exertion. But my rule was I waste so many 10 min blocks of time in my life, I could do this.(10 min getting dressed, 10min in the shower, 10 min reading news, or eating breakfast, etc...) I was in physical pain all the time from years in a desk, I was desperate, that was my motivation. That was probably 3-4 years ago. This past winter it was too cold to run, so I tried the "actual" workout stuff. What is a "press up for zero time" mean?
    - Steve44 9y ago
      Running has never been my thing, just can't seem to get along with it. > What is a "press up for zero time" mean? By that I mean it doesn't take up any special time, like doing my step ups when the kettle is boiling. Even if that extends to 3-4 minutes that's still done in no time. BTW I measured the table and it's actually 17"/43cm high which is coincidentally about as high as a natural step up would go.

RobertRoberts 9y ago

That's a great idea, I may have to try that. I am already tired of the same exercises. I did run into an issue though. Just like you, I'd exercise while my milk was heating up (quick coffee, switched to hot chocolate (organic, don't give me greif)) but when I cut back on that too, it affected the number of times I worked out. lol. :P Any suggestions on how to get a routine in where there's not triggering event?

Steve44 9y ago
No direct suggestions, sorry. One thing though with the milk you need to think about and keep watching as you don't want it boiling over but with the kettle I can just leave it. I'm going to see if I can start doing things like full bodyweight squats or possibly press ups for zero time but not sure either would get my heart going like those steps do. My stopping of the gym was due to the kids changing schools so my routing changed. Like with your cutting back one small change can have consequences you'd never consider.
- RobertRoberts 9y ago
  You may want to try a short jog to fill in the missing work out. That is how I started. I determined to do just 10 minutes a day. I ran in my pajamas and crocs for the first few months, on a treadmill. My rule was never run faster than it hurts, and in the first 10 min run I probably did half a mile (lol, walking speed :P) But running didn't help me with my neck and back or arms, so that's why I started with the upper body stuff, but I am noob with this. :P With the milk I microwave it, I have electric kettle for the tea though. Maybe I will have to make my self drink more tea to my exercise in? Another note on the jogging thing, I run on the balls of my feet, to avoid knee/hip/spine issues associated with running. Though it's more strain on your calfs/ankles/tendons (soft tissues that repair easier than cartilage), and it's a little more exertion. But my rule was I waste so many 10 min blocks of time in my life, I could do this.(10 min getting dressed, 10min in the shower, 10 min reading news, or eating breakfast, etc...) I was in physical pain all the time from years in a desk, I was desperate, that was my motivation. That was probably 3-4 years ago. This past winter it was too cold to run, so I tried the "actual" workout stuff. What is a "press up for zero time" mean?
  - Steve44 9y ago
    Running has never been my thing, just can't seem to get along with it. > What is a "press up for zero time" mean? By that I mean it doesn't take up any special time, like doing my step ups when the kettle is boiling. Even if that extends to 3-4 minutes that's still done in no time. BTW I measured the table and it's actually 17"/43cm high which is coincidentally about as high as a natural step up would go.