Safe, travels, Laura!

I'm doing some errands this morning, then I am going to make that list I talked about to give myself some focus today.

David, speak more of the Pilates as it progresses... I am intrigued.

I did Pilates years ago and it’s no joke! My yoga studio has a few Pilates classes but I’m scared to go!

David, speak more of the Pilates as it progresses... I am intrigued.

I really like how as a beginner they can tailor your workout to what you're capable of doing.

My friend, Alison, who had done yoga said, if she had an issue doing a particular pose the instructor would say "Okay, sit this one out." But in Pilates there are always multiple ways to work a muscle group and if a particular movement is difficult they will find another way to get the necessary work. So she now knows all the ways to direct her own session with activity that accommodates her myriad shoulder and hip issues.

I love that we do small group sessions so the instructor can come over and give you lots of individual attention to correct your form. They are very patient as they guide you to working your lower abs, for example, and getting you to not use your hips, or push back on your shoulders.

Most of the instructors I work with have gotten advanced certifications in things like Kinesthesiology. They really understand all the muscle groups, and how people compensate - often from injury - in ways that get your body out of whack.

Almost all of the instructors in my studio came to Pilates after significant injury and it became a way for them to reclaim their bodies.

I like that the sessions are one hour, in and out.

I love that after I reach a certain level of training I can just go into the studio and direct my own workouts using the equipment.

I haven't even gotten to the reformer yet, but I'm drawn to the idea that I can work on a machine that will provide some support and guidance for my movements.

Like yoga, it focuses a lot on posture and alignment and breathing technique.

I did Pilates years ago and it’s no joke! My yoga studio has a few Pilates classes but I’m scared to go!

People always say how hard it is, but I haven't experienced that. I definitely feel sore and I've worked muscles I don't usually use, but it all feels very doable. Very controlled. Only an hour.

I have several friends that are almost religious about it - which I know some people find off-putting. But from talking to them, they feel that way because it has provided them with a new flexibility and core strength and often helped them get past serious injuries or chronic conditions.

I'm really motivated to giving my body a leaner, more flexible frame. Hence the combo of Ozempic and PIlates.

I'm turning 64 this summer and I'm already very aware that carrying extra weight is hard on my joints, hard on my back, aggravates my sciatica and is very limiting going forward. I have an idea of what I'd like my body to look and feel like by end of summer and I'm trying to get there.

That's fantastic, David. I am trying to keep what I've got and improve on it. I'm lucky in the joints department so far, and I'm pretty naturally flexible, but it will all fade if I don't focus. Swimming and lifting right now. I could do more with lifting, but right now I'm just giving myself credit for going, and it certainly helps a bit.

They do offer Tai Chi at the Y where we belong. I just have to, you know, actually go try it. If there's enough attention to helping noobs, it should be fine.

Then I just read and saved an article with some manageable agility exercises which are supposed to help stave off the reduced ability to react quickly and, like, save yourself from a fall, etc. that can come with aging. So there's that, too.

OK, I have my list. Here I go...

Swimming and lifting right now. I could do more with lifting, but right now I'm just giving myself credit for going, and it certainly helps a bit.

I forgot to mention they have specific sessions to focus on cardio, flexibility or strength, so I'll probably be doing some stuff with small, free weights going forward. Which I know is one of the most important things you can do for your health as you age.

just have to, you know, actually go try it.

As with friendship, the key to exercise habits (for me) is Proximity. (Not that I don't love and depend on my friends that live inside my computer.)

Back when I didn't have any money I used Kezar Stadium to run because it was right across the street. Finding a studio eight minute walk from my house is huge.

One of my friends said I was lucky it was so close, but it had been there all along and I didn't know until I did the research and found it.

Talking about it with my neighbor, Lorraine, she said, "Oh yes, the Koret Center attached to USF is available for use to locals and it's affordable." That's also eight minutes walk from my house.

So there have been options, I just hadn't done the work to find them.

Anyway, it's not always about finding the right exercise but finding something that's easy to access.

Still plugging away with the rowing machine. It works well for me; I find it a good balance between strength and cardio, and it saves me from ever, ever having to subject myself to the horrors of working out in a public place.

I ought to be doing at least 150 minutes each week, but I’m averaging 100–125 minutes. Hopefully, the amount of walking I do in the city kind of makes up for some of that.

I ought to be doing at least 150 minutes each week, but I’m averaging 100–125 minutes. Hopefully, the amount of walking I do in the city kind of makes up for some of that.

You're doing great! 100 to 125 minutes a week is significant for a rowing machine. And you can't beat the proximity!

Yeah, 100-125 minutes is a lot!

I got a new smart watch last year and since then every month have had a competition with friends for the most steps that month. It’s surprising how sometimes it’s super close and sometimes we are all far apart. And while usually the same couple people are at the bottom, it’s pretty variable! That said, I do feel like my cardio has very much gone by the wayside—I’ve been lifting 2-3 times a week, but I feel like if I tried to run a mile I’d fall over. But I also feel like adding more is a big ask. May try to get back on my treadmill.

I had a rowing machine jam going for a while a few years ago. It was great.

I don't think we're past the point of no return here so we should keep on fighting - but I'm pretty sure they're crashing the economy deliberately. Authoritarianism thrives in chaos. Desperate people are extra stupid and malleable.

My main question is how much of global financial collapse of the last Fascist ascension was similarly engineered. Obviously oligarchs didn't create, for example, the dustbowl - but they exploited the hell out of it. It was our last major round of tariffs.

I have an abundance of exercise options in very close proximity including a couple gyms with classes, including Pilates. The gym in my building is almost always empty and I can swim an elevator ride away. No excuses, Laura. They moved us from row 31 to row 7 to balance the plane. I packed my sugar free powdered creamer which TSA dude tested. Didn’t think about it. It could have stayed north.