Updated Post: Ten ideas for fitness from Everyday Health

 http://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-fitness-pictures/10-everyday-tips-for-diet-and-fitness.aspx?pos=1&xid=nl_EverydayHealthManagingDiabetes_20140524#/slide-1

Ten ideas for fitness (I am not very fit but would like to be) from Everyday Health.  I originally wrote this in 2014 and it is time to return
1) Exercise at the right time of day for you.  I am not sure when that would be.  One thing I noticed just Friday.  When I walk to the light rail station after work (about a mile) rather than take the bus, my blood sugar is 20 points lower in the evening.  However other than that, It is hard to squeeze in exercise.  However, I should take an after dinner walk.  Two times around the park would be about another mile, and maybe that would put me over the top.

I am now retired and don't walk to the light rail.  My blood sugar is generally under control.  This is due mostly to medication rather than my exercising and eating better.  I exercise rarely due to sciatica.  However most of the time it doesn't bother me, yet I still don't exercise.  It is a habit I got when the sciatica was worse.
2) Develop a fitness plan.  This section suggests someone at a gym, or a personal trainer.  However, I have never done that.  The key here is knowing your aim, your goal for fitness.  I have my very clearly in my mind, to get below 200 lbs.  However, the steps are lacking.

I did go to the gym and develop a fitness plan with lots of stretches for locked shoulder and sciatica.  However I have not been to the gym for a couple years and is something I need to correct.  The ony days I get lots of steps is when I go to the temple all day.
3) Find a favorite exercise.  My favorite is basketball.  However I have not played much since developing locked shoulder.  However it is probably time to take it up again.  The issue, just shooting does not make you work very hard.

We have a hoop outside, yet I don't even go out to shoot.
4) Vary your exercise.  It suggests aerobic one day, then weight training then Pilates or Yoga, and then a day off.  I could handle that, with slow walking daily, but more than two days a week maybe.  However I need to find some method of strength training.  Instead of Yoga or Pilates, I could do stretching.  My mobility is so poor I need to do something.

Physical therapist suggested stretches which I do if I start feeling a twinge in my sciatica.  Physical therapist also suggested exercises for sgtrengthening the core, which I don't do but need to do.
5) Exercise with a friend.  Miranda walked with me a couple times, and maybe she could be a walking partner again.

 I often suggest walking in the evening but no one goes so I don't either.  
6) Enjoy easy snacks.  By this they want you to avoid processed snacks, but fruit, nuts, yogurt or turkey are recommended items I like. 

I am conscious of this but my snack too often include cookies and ice cream.  I also include nuts on occasion.
7) Factor in fluids.  Especially water.  Avoid caffeine.  Watered down Gatorade is OK if you need to replace electrolytes.

I am good at drinking water.  Two water bottles full a day.
8) Skip the soda.  Soda is bad.  Bad for you teeth, your bones, your insides and your out.  Even diet soda is bad.  I have a root beer occasionally, but don't usually drink soda. 

I usually have water, sometimes I add a sugar free flavor packet.
9) Cook more than you eat.  Having leftovers the next day will help avoid fast food, to come home to something you can just pop in the micro wave but is nutritious and delicious.

I am the best in the family at eating leftovers.
10) Get active after eating.  A light workout is recommended.  Since I eat late, this goes in with the walking around the park.

Currently I do not exercise after eating.  This is a place for change.