We have always been on the look out for something that will make our chores easier! After all we are seniors!
There has to be a better way!
The Benefits Of Using A Rebounder For Health And Fitness Reviewed. |
Rebounding is effectively bouncing or jumping up and down on a mini trampoline. This exercise can be done very gently or it can be a serious aerobic workout.
As it is a low impact cardiovascular form of exercise, people from older children to older adults can use a rebounder, as long as their healthcare team approves it.
I started using my rebounder 2 months ago. I was looking for something where I could exercise safely indoors during our cold winter months and something that would help me to get fitter and lose some weight.
As I have had an ankle injury and severe back pain with two herniated discs in the past, to the point I could barely walk without pain and numbness, I am always wary of any new exercise.
Exercises like jogging and running put too much pressure on my joints and back to be healthy for me. I love swimming but cannot always have access to a pool.
After checking with my doctor that it was OK to use this piece of equipment I started very slowly and with very short sessions.
Stepping slowly and gently on Rebounder |
It is important that wherever you use your rebounder that you make sure you have enough clearance above your head to use it safely. You do not want to be hitting your head on the ceiling!
It needs to be placed on a strong stable floor that is even. You do not want the rebounder to be on an uneven surface.
Also, ensure there is enough room around the rebounder to get on and off safely without bumping into or having to step over anything. Please take care that children and pets are not too close to you when using it.
Also as it is a form of cardio exercise make sure the room is well ventilated and open one or more windows to let fresh air in.
From my personal experience, I would say to get a rebounder with as large an area of use as possible to make it easier for you. Some have very small areas to bounce onto and I think I would personally find that difficult and annoying.
Then it is just a matter of making sure it is all fixed securely and you are good to go!
Bouncing On Rebounder. |
Rebounding is a pretty safe form of exercise for most people especially as if you need to, you can take it at a very gentle pace.
However, If you have not exercised for a long time and are over 50 years of age please do check with your Doctor first.
If you are very overweight or have heart or lung conditions or any illness or previous accident or injuries, especially to your back or legs or have joint issues or circulatory problems or just feel generally unhealthy or very unfit you must check with your doctor before using a rebounder.
I wanted a rebounder to help me to increase my fitness and to lose weight. So far both are improving slowly.
I wanted to be able to exercise effectively and easily indoors in the colder, rainy weather without having to go to a gym or pay gym membership prices. It certainly fulfills these criteria.
I am also looking forward to taking it out onto our Patio in the summer and using it there.
It certainly works the leg muscles and I have noticed my muscles, especially in my legs, are much firmer.
Rebounding apparently helps to strengthen the bones in terms of strength and density. This is especially important as we get older and at any age is healthy.
It is said to help improve coordination and balance. My balance was Ok before I started but I do think it has helped me become more stable and hopefully less likely to have balance issues in the future as I age.
As my husband had a major operation on his right leg several years ago, we have noticed some minor balance issues and they are gradually improving as he uses the rebounder more often.
I understand it may help pelvic floor strength and help to prevent urinary incontinence. I cannot vouch for that but if it does that is a good thing as well.
It certainly works the core abdominal muscles which I really need to be strong to offer support to my back. As I am unable, due to my back condition, to do many core exercises like sit-ups this is great to work my core muscles while standing up.
It also works the large back muscles and I know having been told by my health care team that if I can keep the back muscles strong and flexible that will help my back long term. I am supposed to swim at least twice a week but have been unable to do that at all these last 10 months and so rebounding is useful for me.
There are lots of videos on the internet that will show you exercises to do from the very gentle to the most advanced strenuous workout. Many exercises incorporate using your arms as well so you do get a great full body workout.
Like any other piece of exercise equipment, it is of course only as good as how often you use it.
It is quite a large piece of equipment and takes up a good amount of space in a room. At first I would carefully fold all its legs in and store it under the table. However, as I was using it every day for a short period of time it got to be a pain getting it out then putting it away all the time, so I just left it out. Now we are both using it, it's not worth putting it away, so we leave it propped up on its side in a corner and we do not notice it too much. For us seeing the results from the exercise it is worth it.
The one we bought does not have a stabilizing handle. Now we are used to it that does not matter so much, but at first, it would have been helpful to have that security there. If you know you may have some balance issues or would like to feel more secure on a rebounder I would strongly recommend a handle.
You can buy rebounders that fold away easier and do have handles so both these can be overcome.
Ours was not too bad to put together as it just meant putting each of the six legs on which once we got the hang of was doable. Some rebounders are more complex to put together so depending on your level of skill and patience do watch out for that.
It is a sturdy piece of equipment that so far is still looking and operating as well as it was the first day of use.
While it is an investment it is not overly expensive for exercise equipment and as most in the family can use it, does work out very cost-effective.
It is fun to use! This is key for me as I would otherwise get bored and then not use it.
I miss it when I do not use it!
I am starting to see results! I especially like to see my tummy core muscles improving! Bear in mind when I started I was literally using it only for 5 minutes a day for weeks so I could ascertain how it was affecting my back. It is only in the last 3 weeks that I have built up to 15 minutes a day. If you don't have health issues you would build up to 15 minutes or more much more quickly.
People of any age can use a rebounder as long as approved by a doctor. I would advise that if used by children they are supervised. If used by an older person it may be a good idea to buy one with a stabilising handle and if possible have someone around if assistance is needed.
You can exercise in specific exercise clothes and that is advisable if you are doing a long serious workout. Usually, I just wear joggers or leggings, bare feet and a loose T-shirt or top.
I have often just hopped onto the rebounder for 5-10 minutes in my leggings and top in between working sessions on the computer. I would advise wearing a stretchy, forgiving material though just so you can move freely.
I exercise in my bare feet. I think it would be Ok to wear trainers if that was more comfortable for you. However, footwear would need to be very stable and have a good grip. If you are not sure perhaps try to out both ways and see what you feel is best for you. Clearly do not use a rebounder wearing slippers or normal shoes as that is not safe.
I would suggest buying the largest surface area you can. I personally would not feel comfortable on ones with a very small area though these are often easier to transport and fold away. It depends on what is most important to you and is a choice to weigh up.
2. Safely handle or not.
I do not have a safety handle and now I would not feel the need to buy one. However, in the early days, I would have felt happier with one. As I get older I might buy another rebounder with a handle just for safety. I think there are also some exercises you can do easier with a handle so a detachable handle would perhaps be useful. This is a very personal choice.
3.Price.
Rebounders vary quite a bit in price and often depends on durability and what comes in the kit with them. Usually, the wisest advice is to buy the best you can afford. You need to think how you will use the rebounder and the demands you will place upon it. I would always look for safety, reliability and sturdiness in a rebounder. You do not want parts of it breaking within months. However, do not feel you have to buy the most expensive when actually a less expensive model may fulfill all your needs.
4. Noise level.
Some rebounders are noisier than others. You will see some are sold on the fact that they are quieter. You may decide to choose on this basis alone if noise levels are important to you. For me, it was not an issue as I play music anyway when rebounding and I use it on the ground floor of our house and do not disturb anyone, but for others, this may be a key issue.
5. Storage.
If you are going to leave your rebounder out then storage issues are not such a consideration. However, If you feel you will need to put away your rebounder every time you use it check carefully the packing away and storage requirements. Does it fold up easily and quickly, do the legs fold up or do they need to be taken off, can it slide under a bed without much effort or do you need to disassemble it before storing. In my experience the more difficult it is to get out and set up a piece of equipment the less you will use it.
With any piece of exercise equipment that is new to us it is best to start off slow and steady and gradually build up so you can monitor the effect it has on your body. You do not have to bounce high in the air even gentle bouncing with your feet hardly leaving the mat will give benefits.
If you feel unsure do have someone with you when you first start using your rebounder for security. Children should be supervised and older people may wish to have someone with them especially at first.
It is important to maintain the correct posture keeping a nice line from your ankle to hip to shoulder and your head held straight and tall. Do follow the instructions for the exercises so you are rebounding safely and effectively.
In terms of how I built up time on my rebounder as I have known back issues, I first checked with my doctor that it was Ok for me to use this form of exercise for my specific condition.
Once I had the medical go-ahead I literally tried bouncing for 2 minutes very gently then got off. When that was Ok for me 2 days later I tried it again for 2 minutes. All that first week I did a couple of minutes every other day.
The following week I increased to 5 minutes every other day. The week after as I had not had any pains I increased to 10 minutes every other day.
I dropped back to 7 minutes when I got a bit of backache and gave myself a few days off, then started gradually increasing again. I have now built up slowly to 15-20 minutes 4 days a week. Sometimes I do the 20 minutes in one session. Other times I split it into two 10 minutes sessions.
I think as I want to lose weight I may need to increase to 30-minute sessions 5 days a week next.
At first, I needed to concentrate a lot on what I was doing to get the form and balance right but now I put on some great music, which for me is often a Queen track and rebound away !! I find, 20 minutes flies by so quickly!
Higher stepping on Rebounder |
In the end that really is the key factor to improving fitness and losing weight through exercise. Choose something you feel you will enjoy and just go have fun!
When I give gifts, I try to give something that connects with that person's passion. Or something that is very practical. It is a happy moment when I give a gift that hits both marks. I gave the Grypmat to my best friend and he immediately let me know how wonderful this product is.
A Grypmat is a trademarked, silicone tool organizer that sticks to surfaces and so much more.
Grypmats:
I knew I'd review the medium Grypmat as soon as my friend started text-bombing me with photos and comments about the gift I gave to him. As a side note, my friend works in building maintenance and car repair. I know that he HATES when people are careless and scratch things by laying their tools on surfaces. I've been with him when the socket drops out of his hand, falls through the engine, and a hide-n-seek game ensues. As soon as I saw these Grypmats, I knew that he would put it to good use. But I had no clue how much he'd love it. In fact, I had apologized that this gift was probably a really boring/practical/work-related gift.
The following is a selection of photos and comments from my friend (used with permission):
"I'd say I've had numerous times I'd like to have it on the window....
a place to sit stuff"
"Even the mirror job... I had tools on the wiper cowl and if you miss one... crunch... hoodcrumple"
"And it's an electrical insulator... won't arc battery..."
Of course, there are Grypmat knock-offs available. I decided to purchase the original Grypmat out of the expectation (an expectation that was met) that the materials would be high quality and the product would perform as advertised. I'd imagine that the knock-offs would provide a non-marring tool mat but I imagine that the "gripping" ability would be absent. For example, my silicone soap molds are heat-resistant in an oven and would prevent tools from making scratches in surfaces if used as a mat. But the grip factor is missing as is the industrial level quality. I am also not confident that my silicone items would stand up to the chemicals used in auto repairs and similar activities.
"Grypmat is a Veteran-founded company founded by former Air Force F-16 Mechanic, Tom Burden" from the Grypmat official website.
Another reason I chose Grypmat was related to who the inventor is. While I am not someone who does a great deal of shopping, I do try to support Veteran-owned businesses when I spend money. I also support entrepreneurs and small business as often as I am able. Finally, who better to design a tool mat than an F-16 mechanic?
I felt that my decision was validated when I realized that Tom Burden had also appeared on The Shark Tank. If The Sharks have faith in this product, I thought it would be a good choice as a gift for my friend.
And clearly, it was an excellent and much appreciated choice.
Related Links:
If you are interested in a Grypmat, or want more information, you can check the official website. You can also find Grypmats on Amazon via the Grypshon store or using the link below.
Photo credit: truck and Grypmat photos courtesy of Dawn Rae's BFF.
Ideas on What to Place Above a Bench Seat - Complete the Look |
If you've added a bench seat to a foyer or against a wall in a bedroom, it can be difficult to figure out what to put above it.
If the bench seat is against the wall in a bedroom, it can look rather lost when you consider the distance between the seat of the bench and the ceiling.
Obviously, you'll have to position items higher than where a person's back and head would be when they're seated.
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Good seafood that is good for you.
I've lived in coastal communities on both the West Coast and the East Coast in years past and thereby acquired a real love for fish and seafood. Coastal living also has the advantage of the availability of fresh seafood.
Now life circumstances have brought me back to the Midwest where 'fresh' is only found in specialty markets at a premium price due to coastal seafood having to be shipped inland. So a readily available, but tasty, substitute had to be found to satisfy my seafood and fish cravings. I found just such a product in Gorton's Grilled Tilapia fillets with roasted garlic & butter.
Image by Elf, the author of this review |
Image by Elf, the author of this review |
The fillets can also be cooked in the microwave, but I prefer the oven baking method best. Plus, if I cook long-grain rice to go with it, the rice also takes 20 minutes. Perfect timing.
Gorton's also has other varieties of their Tilapia dishes. The Signature Grilled Tilapia tastes like it has been grilled outside. And Gorton's two Skilled Crisp Tilapia selections are lightly battered and coated with garlic and herb seasonings or with classic seasonings with just a squeeze of fresh lemon.
Pixabay |
Today you can find just about any kind of fish or seafood with the Gorton's name. This article is about their Tilapia dishes, but they also have salmon, haddock, flounder, cod, shrimp, clams, crab and much more.
From delicious classics such as fish sticks and popcorn shrimp to lighter options in the Smart Solutions line to the chef-inspired Everyday Gourmet line of dishes, there is a fish or seafood entrée for everyone. Check out Gorton's 56 varieties of fish and seafood products here and see which one(s) you would like to try.
Note: Gorton's fish and seafood products can usually be found at most grocery stores, or online on Amazon.
For more fish and seafood recipes and product reviews, search ReviewThisReviews for Seafood.
*Gorton's Grilled Tilapia Review written by (c) Wednesday Elf on 1/2/2021
For many years now, every New Year's Eve and New Year's Day is celebrated with the Twilight Zone marathon. Even though we cut the cable a very long time ago, we didn't cut the Twilight Zone tradition in our home.
In reviewing how you can see the marathon, I'll tell you that CBS usually airs the Twilight Zone marathon starting on New Year's Eve and lasting until the early morning hours of Jan 2. But, you can now set your own schedule thanks to Netflix & Hulu.
Hulu has all 5 seasons available and Netflix is currently offering seasons 1-3 & 5.
What better way to start 2021 than with the voice of Rod Sterling!
The Twilight Zone - Season 1
(The Definitive Edition)Check PriceDo you know what happened on January 1, 1960?
To be honest, I wasn't there, but I know what history tells us. On January 1, 1960, the 13th episode of the 1st season of the Twilight Zone aired. That episode is entitled "The Four of Us Are Dying".
It is about a con man who can change his face to look like whomever he chooses by simply concentrating. 36 year old Arch Hammer doesn't always pick the best people to impersonate, but he always has an angle or reason for his selections. Some schemes require a lot of money though and getting that can be very "expensive" as well as dangerous when you don't know the life story of the person you choose to impersonate.
You can watch that episode this New Year's by visiting Netflix or Hulu. If you don't mind waiting and you would rather own the entire first season, you can do the same thing we have done in my household. You can buy the full season, all 36 episodes, on DVD.
The January 1, 1960 episode is a thought provoking episode for anyone who thinks they would rather be someone else. However, that is not my personal favorite episode, or the one that reflects my greatest desire or fear.
I admit, it is hard to choose a favorite episode out of all of the Twilight Zone shows. There is one that haunts me though, so I think it must demonstrate some fear or concern in my own "twilight zone". It is "Time Enough At Last". If you know the title, it must haunt you too. If not, you will find it in season 1, episode 8.
Now tell me. What is your favorite or most memorable Twilight Zone episode?
The Twilight Zone: Season 2 (Definitive Edition)Check Price The Twilight Zone: Season 3Check Price The Twilight Zone - Season 4 (The Definitive Edition)Check Price The Twilight Zone: Season 5Check Price
They have a key to open doors that no one else can see. It's the “Key to Everything”
As is now almost expected from a story by Dean Koontz, a best-selling master of suspense, this is a novel of wonder; this is a novel of terror!
Jeffy Coltrane lives a quiet life in Suavidad Beach, CA where he works at maintaining a normal life for himself and his 11-year-old daughter Amity since his wife, Michelle, left seven years ago. Life is simple for the pair of them. Jeffy is a dreamer who wishes he had lived in the era of the 1930s when Big Bands like Benny Goodman performed. Or in worlds that never were and never can be. He admits he's all about Big Bands and Hobbits. Amity shares his love of Science Fiction and Fantasy. They share a small house and a simple life where Amity is home-schooled and Jeffy repairs and restores Bakelite radios and collects and sells vintage posters and other Art-Deco articles from past times.
Then, a local eccentric they call 'Spooky Ed” shows up on their doorstep. Ed insists that Jeffy hide a strange and dangerous object that “he must never use”.
The next morning, a group of ominous men visit and search their house. Jeffy & Amity have hidden the 'object' from the subsequent search these supposedly government agents make. Later, they accidentally activate the object Ed had called “the key to everything”, where they discover an extraordinary truth. The device allows them to jump between parallel planes both familiar and bizarre, wondrous and terrifying. And they wonder if the key could help them find Michelle.
But Jeffy and Amity soon find that others are interested in the device, including a man determined to use the key's grand potential for profound evil. Unless Amity and Jeffy can outwit him, the place they call home may never be safe again.
*Image of Dean Koontz - "424471817_e337d8f8ec_o" by jeremyvaught is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0
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Dean Koontz has written more than 100 books, 14 of which have hit the top spot on the New York Times Best Seller list. He has sold over 500 million copies. He lives in Southern California with his wife, Gerda, and their current Golden Retriever, Elsa. Koontz has a deep love for Goldens and has included them in several stories.
ELSEWHERE by Dean Koontz |
Book Review of ELSEWHERE by Dean Koontz written by (c) Wednesday Elf
South Carolina Folly Beach Pier |
If you're planning a vacation in the new year and you love history, or maybe you just like to relax on you're vacation, consider Charleston South Carolina.
We’re lucky enough to
have family living in Charleston. If we didn’t have family living there I don’t
know if we would have ever have considered taking a vacation there. What a
mistake that would be, as we’ve traveled there many times to visit and every
time there is something new to see and do.
As you know this is where the Civil War started, when confederate soldiers fired on Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, which was occupied by Union forces. This was known as the first shot fired in the Civil War. Okay, enough history; you can read this anywhere online. What I want to tell you are some of the fun things that we like to do when we visit Charleston.
Folly Beach is on James Island, we always make it a point to visit this beach in the morning. We walked to the beach and collected some beautiful seashells. We’ll later use these seashells to do some crafts with our grandchildren.
The beach is so very
peaceful in the morning, and if you can get there early enough to see the sunrise it’s a beautiful sight. Although we didn’t do this every day, come on, I’m on
vacation right. If you miss the sunrise, the sunsets on Folly Beach are epic.
Take a day to visit the huge outside market in downtown Charleston, we like walking through and stopping to see the many vendors and their wares. You’ll find everything here from fine art to the smallest trinket to take home as a keepsake. There are some very talented people, who hand weave these baskets. Well, it’s hard to see the people in this photo, but I really wanted you to see the baskets.
As you walk through, you’ll see people throughout the market crafting and weaving their
baskets. We have purchased several; after all, you can never have enough
baskets, right? Some of them are a bit pricey, but most time the vendors a
willing to make a deal.
Once you're downtown take some time to check out the carriage ride
guided tours of the city. These tours have so many different routes around the
city, and you can take a different one every time. It’s a beautiful ride
through the streets of Old Charleston, the tour guides are well versed in the
history of the city, and the horses are very friendly too. If you’re going to
visit Charleston, put this on your things-to-do list, you won’t be sorry.
As I walk through the streets of this historic city. I can’t help but think of
all the generations that have lived in these homes. Homes that have been here
for hundreds of years, the history just pours out of them. After the war,
Charleston didn’t have a lot of money to rebuild so they restored and restored,
keeping the old buildings for us to enjoy.
This is my favorite
thing to do as I see something new every time we take a walk around the city.
These are some of the things we like to do when we visit Charleston. There is
so much more to enjoy here, with so many wonderful restaurants and parks to visit.
Charleston Where History Lives
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Charleston! Charleston!: The History of a Southern City
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