Video Demonstration Of A Simple Pain Reduction Technique For Arthritis In Your Fingers

Hi folks, In a previous blog post I described minor arthritis in the fingers of my left hand, which is probably just one of the maladies that comes with aging. Such minor health issues can be an annoyance, whether you are training for better health or undertaking a challenging training program for competition. My cycling buddy, Rory, has almost exactly the same issue, with swollen joints in several fingers. This ... Read more

11 Tips On Exercise For Better Health From FitOldDog

  Hi folks, With over 200 posts under my blogging belt, I thought it might be useful to my readers if I went through and pulled out pieces of key exercise advice, with links to the respective posts. Then I thought, "but I love prime numbers, remember that great book about the Reimann Hypothesis that I referred to ages ago, Prime Obsession?" So I decided to select 11 training tips, instead. Here they ... Read more

Dancing Old Dog: Continuum Really Works And It Can Help Your Training

  Hi folks, For your body to operate optimally, I imagine that you need to recruit all available systems, including both thoughts and feelings. Emotions can run high prior to and during a race, so there is an emotional component to sports right there. The left brain logical stuff is already built into your training plan, probably down to the last gel and the type of shoelaces you wear. We humans each tend ... Read more

FitOldDog Training Video #2: Sitting For Symmetry

  Hi folks, I have found that some of the most effective exercises are those that you can apply in daily life. This is the philosophy used by David Harp (now David Harp and Nina Smiley) in that great book, 'The Three Minute Meditator.' I still use the meditating ideas that I read there about 15 years ago. I can meditate at traffic lights, in the grocery line, and if I have the forethought, when I get ... Read more

FitOldDog Exercise Video On How To Reduce Your Risk Of Falling Through Better Gravity And Balance Awareness

  Hi folks, For older adults, especially the elderly, a fall can be devastating. The risk of falls can be much reduced by spending a little time becoming more aware of your body, and of it's relationship to gravity and objects that you handle everyday. This post provides some thoughts on body awareness and describes a simple exercise to improve your balance awareness. It's funny how it takes a while to ... Read more

Safe Exercise For Better Health Is The Way To Prepare For An Active Old Age

Safe Exercise For Better Health Is The Way To Prepare For An Active Old Age

This post presents an overview of the FitOldDog Training Philosophy or Training Wheel, which guides you through the process of developing improved mind and body awareness before you embark on an exercise program. The goal is to learn to train safely, and thus reduce risk of exercise-induced injuries. One of my favorite books is 'Lord of the Rings,' By Tolkien. This mighty tome treats the females in a strange way, ... Read more

Thoughts On Training At 50+: ‘Not Going Slower’ Versus ‘Going Faster’

Hi folks, The power is back on, hurricane Irene is leaving and in spite of blustery winds Rory and I went for an easy spin on our bikes. During the ride we were comparing our ride times (speed) over the years for certain routes and we agreed that we were definitely slowing down. It then occurred to me that a training program designed to make you faster might not be optimal for older endurance athletes. Your ... Read more

Do You Need A Coach, And If So How Do You Find A Good One?

  Hi folks, I am a highly motivated person, but on a dark winters morning, when it is raining, I'm tired and stiff and in my warm bed, do I really want to go on that early morning ride, jump in the pool, or wade through cold water on muddy trails? Or would I like to stay in the warm and have a nice hot cup of tea? Easy to answer, which is why I need a coach, whether I need to exercise for better health ... Read more

Disclaimer: As a veterinarian, I do not provide medical advice for human animals. If you undertake or modify an exercise program, consult your medical advisors before doing so. Undertaking activities pursued by the author does not mean that he endorses your undertaking such activities, which is clearly your decision and responsibility. Be careful and sensible, please.