# My fellow Dopers, how do you keep your body 'in tone'? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Tags:** diet-weight-loss\ **Created:** [June 21, 2025, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-fellow-dopers-how-do-you-keep-your-body-in-tone/1019933 "2025-06-21T13:50:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2025, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-fellow-dopers-how-do-you-keep-your-body-in-tone/1019933/41 "2025-06-28T22:56:47Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > you have to enjoy what you do It definitely helps. I know some who just force themselves to do something because they recognize they have to but that is really hard. > [@Maserschmidt](#): > > So, if you’re doing something, what is it, and if/how do you apply it consistently? I enjoy variety. I am more focused on endurance than strength training (cycling, running, a rowing machine and an elliptical in the basement), but for strength have a set of rings in the yard to do pull ups and dips, and dumbbells of various weights. I have a balance ball that I use both for body weight exercises designed for balance ball and as my bench for presses. I have a balance disc that I do a variety of exercises while standing on, and I have a 10 pound steel mace that I do a variety of exercises with, including on the balance disc. I had been rucking up and down stairs with a weighted pack as well training for a hike but the hike is done and likely will phase that out. For me that’s play. The key I believe is stressing the system, enough but not too much, and allowing recovery. And gradual progression. Weights are a straightforward tool to use but so are many other approaches. Body weight progressions that include skill building are also great and fun challenges for some. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2025, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-fellow-dopers-how-do-you-keep-your-body-in-tone/1019933/42 "2025-06-29T12:41:51Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > I did find some exercises from a physical therapist aimed at “50+”, I’ll give them a try just to slowly build up basic strength. I’m curious: what are the exercises that they included aimed specifically at “50+”? ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2025, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-fellow-dopers-how-do-you-keep-your-body-in-tone/1019933/43 "2025-07-06T01:49:04Z")
For me: CrossFit. I’d been doing _some form_ of it since 2008, but only went “brand name” in 2016. I know it gets a “cult” label, and is stereotyped as a bunch of acrobatic meatheads, but of the seven or eight “boxes” I’ve visited around the country (besides the one in my hometown), its a wide variety of ages and abilities in each class. But between a cool, fun group of friends to work out with, I _really_ cleaned up the nutrition–thanks to the lack of travel due to COVID. Since '20, I’ve dropped _and kept off_ 25 lbs. I’m in better shape **now** than I was on active duty. Yeah, I get it. . . I sound like a shill. Not my intent, i just found some structured, consistent plans that works for me. Tripler A li’l more sweat, and a _lot_ less sugar ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2025, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-fellow-dopers-how-do-you-keep-your-body-in-tone/1019933/44 "2025-07-06T02:13:48Z")
I used to be a semi-serious runner, but I have a lot of miles on my leg joints at this point. I’ve been running regularly for around 45 years now, and now “regularly” is 4-5 miles three times a week. We just got a dog, so I’ve been walking him around an hour every morning. It’s not very fast walking due to his sniffing. I also work out with light dumbbells, moving veeeerrrrryyyy slowly. I read about this somewhere, and it’s worked very well. My arms are more ripped than when I did pushups. I’ve also limited my beer consumption to a couple per month, which probably has a lot to do with me dropping 10 pounds in the last 6 months. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2026, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-fellow-dopers-how-do-you-keep-your-body-in-tone/1019933/45 "2026-04-27T21:16:58Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > > [@Maserschmidt](#): > > > > I did find some exercises from a physical therapist aimed at “50+”, I’ll give them a try just to slowly build up basic strength. > > I’m curious: what are the exercises that they included aimed specifically at “50+”? Man, was this almost a year ago? Here’s the list below. I’m finally doing the first nine, because both knees are suddenly giving me grief and I’m taking a break from walking. 1. Slow sit-stand (chair squat) 2. Countertop press-up 3. Bent-over row (kettlebell) 4. Reverse lunge 5. Standing row pull (with bands) 6. Farmer’s carry 7. Glute bridge 8. Heel toe & raise 9. Dead bug 10. Low-impact cardio Limited equipment, slow working of muscles basically. ---
**Author:** ![sb1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@sb1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sb1953)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-fellow-dopers-how-do-you-keep-your-body-in-tone/1019933/46 "2026-04-28T13:47:35Z")
this particular thread has a LOT of jargon ( dead bug,…11-2 wtf?) ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-fellow-dopers-how-do-you-keep-your-body-in-tone/1019933/47 "2026-04-28T13:53:36Z")
Ditto! I love the park, but my temperature range is mid-eighties and, of course, no rain, snow or ice. . ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-fellow-dopers-how-do-you-keep-your-body-in-tone/1019933/48 "2026-04-28T14:00:55Z")
That’ll be some exercise. Honestly, it’s very hard to describe any set exercise in plain English. You usually get a page with several pictures just to describe one exercise. And a lot of them have standard names. So it makes sense to refer to them that way. (I don’t know what “dead bug” means, either. I’m guessing it’s done on the back, though.) ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-fellow-dopers-how-do-you-keep-your-body-in-tone/1019933/49 "2026-04-28T14:04:34Z")
It’s an exercise that comes with play-acting! Let’s see what Harvard has to say about it, that’s a place where smart people work/matriculate. [The many benefits of the “dead bug” - Harvard Health](https://www.health.harvard.edu/exercise-and-fitness/the-many-benefits-of-the-dead-bug) > One of the best (and safest) core exercises for older adults is the dead bug exercise. To do the dead bug, you lie on your back on a flat surface (the ground or your bed) and engage all your abdominal muscles as you move your limbs up and down to imitate a dying insect. Perhaps they should have called it “Dying-Bug”. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-fellow-dopers-how-do-you-keep-your-body-in-tone/1019933/50 "2026-04-28T23:12:27Z")
It’s a nice list and it is _also_ a nice list for a _younger_ person new to strength training. 🙂 Hope your knees feel better! ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-fellow-dopers-how-do-you-keep-your-body-in-tone/1019933/51 "2026-04-28T23:33:37Z")
I’m 58. The main way I keep my body “in tone” is to not overeat, and eat nutritious foods (fresh vegetables, lean protein). I also run 5K two or three times a week. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-fellow-dopers-how-do-you-keep-your-body-in-tone/1019933/52 "2026-04-28T23:42:33Z")
In my heart of hearts, I’m a lazy person. If left to my own devices, I’d sit on my ass all day long, either reading, watching TV, or sitting in front of a computer. Fortunately for me, life has had other plans for me. I’ve been practicing judo for a long time (in about a week, it’ll be 55 years). In that time I’ve worked out at least twice weekly, and sometimes four times per week regularly. These days, I’m the head instructor, and I lead warm-ups and drills, so I have little choice but to get some exercise. I don’t spend nearly as much time as I used to slamming people or getting slammed: My body would remind me how old it is if I did. Still, I’m doing a lot of push-ups and sit ups and squats. I also get a lot of movement when I have to demonstrate or teach specific techniques. I don’t dare turn these tasks over to younger and fitter assistant instructors, though, because then I’d spend most of the workout time just wandering around with my hands on my hips or arms crossed, dispensing advice and criticism but not actually breaking a sweat, and I know that would lead me to getting fatter than I already am. What I don’t do enough of, though, is stretch. My muscles and joints are far less flexible than they should be. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-fellow-dopers-how-do-you-keep-your-body-in-tone/1019933.md?page=2)