What sort of exercise might be a good fit for me?

Sounds like you’re a good fit for T25. Although there are some moves that require a bit of jumping or squatting, you can go at your own pace. T25 isn’t as hard as Insanity and you’ll still get your heart rate up.

It’s a common misconception that you need to get out of breath for a successful cardiovascular workout, you don’t!
Indeed, running coaches will tell beginners to run at ‘conversation pace’ so if you can talk with a running mate normally then your doing fine.

As you say, you’re not into running, but It’s a good rule to go by whichever exercise you pursue & as you grow stronger at a particular discipline, so too will your breathing threshold.

This is trite, but the best exercise is the one you enjoy doing. If you hike 1–2 hours a day then do that. Just do it a little faster.

Get some friends together, and play some Johann Sebastian Joust.

It sounds to me like you get quite a bit of exercise already with the walking.

You certainly can add swimming or ice skating twice a week in addition. I think swimming is a wonderful exercise.

You could use some hand weights to add to your walking. Either while walking or at home. It will help your muscles and bones in your arms. The walking helps the muscles and bones in your legs.

I like to do Zumba, but that’s because I like to dance. I love exercise classes. If you don’t like Zumba you could try yoga or Pilates. There are so many classes now. Whatever you try, try it at least twice. The first time always feels a little foreign. Each instructor is different too.

The Chinese do those slow exercises or moderate dance like line dance and they live to be 100. Maybe they are doing some other exercise I don’t know about, but from what I know they stay active, but they aren’t concerned about very high heart rates. If you get your heart going too fast the exercise become anaerobic again.

Do what you love so you keep doing it.

Aqua Jog or walking in the swimming pool to as deep as you can go and then walk back to the shallow end.

Who told you it doesn’t count unless you are out of breath? Do those activities that you enjoy at the rate that is comfortable. The walking alone, is plenty unless you are training for a marathon.

What about climbing? It’s very centered. And there’s satisfaction from the problem-solving aspect of it.

I think it may pair well with work you’ve been doing. The courses you’ve been taking.

I’d say as long as you can control your stride, you can use the eliptical machine and or the stationary bike, there’s almost no heavy impact on your joints to make you feel uncomfortable just keep at a pace which suits your comfort zone. I wish you the best of luck with this. :)

Have you ever mountain biked?

Try interval walking. Walk 1–2 minutes full on walk as fast as you can then slow to a normal stroll speed for 1–2 mins. Then hit it wide open again for 1–2 minutes and stroll for 1–2 mins. Do this 5 times and you will be sweating and panting. Interval training can be done in any movement exercise. I do this on my elliptical, treadmill or rower or out with the dog in the evening. Great 10 minute workout.

Have you ever tried yoga? It increases flexibility and balance. If you hold the poses long enough it builds bone and muscle. It also has a spiritual side that it very stress-reducing and that I find very positive.

Wow! Thanks, Fluther! I’m so happy to hear that I don’t need to make any big changes. This walking thing is easy for me, and I can keep it up.

I’ve been aiming for thirty minutes of fast walking in addition to the dog walks now, and I find that it does give me the feeling of calm that I associate with exercise. My slow hiking is calming too, but more mentally than physically.

I’m really glad I asked. To answer your questions:

@Sagacious I’m not even sure where I got that idea. Just happy to learn I was wrong!

@raum I can see adding activities like swimming or climbing at random intervals. Thanks for the idea! I tried climbing a few times when I was younger, and I did enjoy it.

@ARE_you_kidding_me Not seriously. It scares me a little.

@marinelife I have. I loved the relaxation, but not so much the exercises.

@longgone It shouldn’t, depending on where you live there are usually trails that are easy enough for anyone.

@ARE_you_kidding_me I’ll try it when I get my bike back. There’s some trails near me. I think if I can get over that fear, mountain biking could actually be great for me.