Innkeeper upper body strength

So, like a fair number of women of a certain age, my upper body strength is not the best. However, I had no idea what GOOD shape I am in until a couple of guys came to move some furniture out of the house for us. Two of them picked up a twin bed boxspring and grunted their way out of the house. Trying to help, I said to one of them, 'Here, I'll help with this one (the queen mattress). I picked up my end off the floor and started walking (backwards in heels, ha ha) toward the door. The poor guy was panting trying to keep up.
Seriously, I have tried to pick stuff up and I can't quite manage what I could before.
But I did 'manhandle' a recliner onto a bed today so I could wash the floor. (After which DH waxed it.)
Because DH is a lot stronger I have always felt like I wasn't (ha, ha) pulling my own weight. Watching those guys made me think I probably do get a fair upper body workout making all of those beds and folding sheets. (Arms upraised to keep them from dragging on the floor.) Carrying those heavy stoneware plates (and standing there holding 4 of them while someone asks me questions), lugging the laundry around, the vacuum, etc.

Just signed up for Koko Fit today to work on Cardio and try to build back my upper body strength. Over the past few years I have really noticed that I am losing muscle mass....it happens when you aren't looking! Even though I have a regular pilates routine, muscle just evaporates .
Anyway, I am getting tendinitis in wrist, elbow and shoulder...a sure sign I need to build up those areas before the season starts so I don't injure myself. Even though DH does most of the heavy lifting, I get impatient and and haul things around that are just too heavy for my small frame.

Silverspoon said:

Just signed up for Koko Fit today to work on Cardio and try to build back my upper body strength. Over the past few years I have really noticed that I am losing muscle mass....it happens when you aren't looking! Even though I have a regular pilates routine, muscle just evaporates .
Anyway, I am getting tendinitis in wrist, elbow and shoulder...a sure sign I need to build up those areas before the season starts so I don't injure myself. Even though DH does most of the heavy lifting, I get impatient and and haul things around that are just too heavy for my small frame..

Click to expand...

Since DH cannot lift anything, I get to keep up with the "muscle it" part. Sigh..............

This is a very timely topic for me. I've had some major medical issues over the past three years and had multiple surgeries (4 in a year and a half) and with all the recooperating and "no lifting" orders from the Drs., what used to be muscles is now definitely not! I'm finally at a point where I think I can start on some strength training, but have no idea how to go about it.
Any helpful suggestions? I can't get to a gym, it's too far, so it's got to be something I can do on my own. I have to start slow until I know that I'm not doing my body any harm. I have a stationary bike and somewhere around here, some hand weights.

Breakfast Diva said:

This is a very timely topic for me. I've had some major medical issues over the past three years and had multiple surgeries (4 in a year and a half) and with all the recooperating and "no lifting" orders from the Drs., what used to be muscles is now definitely not! I'm finally at a point where I think I can start on some strength training, but have no idea how to go about it.
Any helpful suggestions? I can't get to a gym, it's too far, so it's got to be something I can do on my own. I have to start slow until I know that I'm not doing my body any harm. I have a stationary bike and somewhere around here, some hand weights..

Click to expand...

Hand weights, yup. Start off light, like a pound or two. Do curls while watching TV. You can also hold the weights out to your sides at shoulder height and raise and lower your arms. Gallons of milk are about 6-7 lbs. Cans of sauce, all kinds of things can be turned into weights.
While reading the forum...talking on the phone...whatever.
Something I found interesting - do a couple of sets of whatever stretches or lifting every time you use the bathroom. Kind of makes you do some sort of exercise a few times in a day. (I do leg stretches. Put my leg on the bathroom vanity and touch my toes, reverse, a couple of times. Hold stretch for a few seconds until stretching is easier.)
You could keep the weights under the sink or something. Stand in front of the mirror. Do some curls. Take them out, do a few reps, put them back for a few hours. ;-)

Madeleine said:

Breakfast Diva said:

This is a very timely topic for me. I've had some major medical issues over the past three years and had multiple surgeries (4 in a year and a half) and with all the recooperating and "no lifting" orders from the Drs., what used to be muscles is now definitely not! I'm finally at a point where I think I can start on some strength training, but have no idea how to go about it.
Any helpful suggestions? I can't get to a gym, it's too far, so it's got to be something I can do on my own. I have to start slow until I know that I'm not doing my body any harm. I have a stationary bike and somewhere around here, some hand weights..

Click to expand...

Hand weights, yup. Start off light, like a pound or two. Do curls while watching TV. You can also hold the weights out to your sides at shoulder height and raise and lower your arms. Gallons of milk are about 6-7 lbs. Cans of sauce, all kinds of things can be turned into weights.
While reading the forum...talking on the phone...whatever.
Something I found interesting - do a couple of sets of whatever stretches or lifting every time you use the bathroom. Kind of makes you do some sort of exercise a few times in a day. (I do leg stretches. Put my leg on the bathroom vanity and touch my toes, reverse, a couple of times. Hold stretch for a few seconds until stretching is easier.)
You could keep the weights under the sink or something. Stand in front of the mirror. Do some curls. Take them out, do a few reps, put them back for a few hours. ;-)
.

Click to expand...

Madeleine said:

I do leg stretches. Put my leg on the bathroom vanity and touch my toes, reverse, a couple of times.

Click to expand...

You do this while you're using the bathroom? Well you're certainly flexible!

happyjacks said:

Madeleine said:

Breakfast Diva said:

This is a very timely topic for me. I've had some major medical issues over the past three years and had multiple surgeries (4 in a year and a half) and with all the recooperating and "no lifting" orders from the Drs., what used to be muscles is now definitely not! I'm finally at a point where I think I can start on some strength training, but have no idea how to go about it.
Any helpful suggestions? I can't get to a gym, it's too far, so it's got to be something I can do on my own. I have to start slow until I know that I'm not doing my body any harm. I have a stationary bike and somewhere around here, some hand weights..

Click to expand...

Hand weights, yup. Start off light, like a pound or two. Do curls while watching TV. You can also hold the weights out to your sides at shoulder height and raise and lower your arms. Gallons of milk are about 6-7 lbs. Cans of sauce, all kinds of things can be turned into weights.
While reading the forum...talking on the phone...whatever.
Something I found interesting - do a couple of sets of whatever stretches or lifting every time you use the bathroom. Kind of makes you do some sort of exercise a few times in a day. (I do leg stretches. Put my leg on the bathroom vanity and touch my toes, reverse, a couple of times. Hold stretch for a few seconds until stretching is easier.)
You could keep the weights under the sink or something. Stand in front of the mirror. Do some curls. Take them out, do a few reps, put them back for a few hours. ;-)
.

Click to expand...

Madeleine said:

I do leg stretches. Put my leg on the bathroom vanity and touch my toes, reverse, a couple of times.

Click to expand...

You do this while you're using the bathroom? Well you're certainly flexible!
.

Click to expand...

happyjacks said:

Madeleine said:

I do leg stretches. Put my leg on the bathroom vanity and touch my toes, reverse, a couple of times.

Click to expand...

You do this while you're using the bathroom? Well you're certainly flexible!

Click to expand...

Har, har!
It does present an interesting quandary. But flexibility is what it's all about!

It doesn't even have to be actual weights- when I was pregnant and poor, I used soup cans, bags of rice, whatever I could get my hands on that I could lift. I just saw where you can take a gallon jug and fill it with sand and use it as a kettleball. I haven't tried that yet, but I am going to. There are tons of youtub e videos for exercise- I like to check them out for new ideas because although I'm no longer pregnant, I'm still relatively poor

Madeleine said:

Breakfast Diva said:

This is a very timely topic for me. I've had some major medical issues over the past three years and had multiple surgeries (4 in a year and a half) and with all the recooperating and "no lifting" orders from the Drs., what used to be muscles is now definitely not! I'm finally at a point where I think I can start on some strength training, but have no idea how to go about it.
Any helpful suggestions? I can't get to a gym, it's too far, so it's got to be something I can do on my own. I have to start slow until I know that I'm not doing my body any harm. I have a stationary bike and somewhere around here, some hand weights..

Click to expand...

Hand weights, yup. Start off light, like a pound or two. Do curls while watching TV. You can also hold the weights out to your sides at shoulder height and raise and lower your arms. Gallons of milk are about 6-7 lbs. Cans of sauce, all kinds of things can be turned into weights.
While reading the forum...talking on the phone...whatever.
Something I found interesting - do a couple of sets of whatever stretches or lifting every time you use the bathroom. Kind of makes you do some sort of exercise a few times in a day. (I do leg stretches. Put my leg on the bathroom vanity and touch my toes, reverse, a couple of times. Hold stretch for a few seconds until stretching is easier.)
You could keep the weights under the sink or something. Stand in front of the mirror. Do some curls. Take them out, do a few reps, put them back for a few hours. ;-)
.

Click to expand...

Madeleine said:

Hand weights, yup. Start off light, like a pound or two. Do curls while watching TV. You can also hold the weights out to your sides at shoulder height and raise and lower your arms. Gallons of milk are about 6-7 lbs. Cans of sauce, all kinds of things can be turned into weights.
While reading the forum...talking on the phone...whatever.
Something I found interesting - do a couple of sets of whatever stretches or lifting every time you use the bathroom. Kind of makes you do some sort of exercise a few times in a day. (I do leg stretches. Put my leg on the bathroom vanity and touch my toes, reverse, a couple of times. Hold stretch for a few seconds until stretching is easier.)
You could keep the weights under the sink or something. Stand in front of the mirror. Do some curls. Take them out, do a few reps, put them back for a few hours. ;-)

Click to expand...

Thanks Maddie! Good suggestions. Now I'll get a workout trying to find those hand weights!

DH is a bit of a fitness nut which is fab - has just started pilates and loves it, also does jogging and swimming.Me I do running round like a headless chicken over 4 floors! keeps me trim!