What does a tutor do over the summer?  Tutoring continues, but at a relaxed pace.  In the breathing space, the tutor pursues various topics of interest….

Given our culture’s focus on being slender and youthful, combined with the threat of weight gain that lurks in the lifestyles of many, exercise and/or weight loss have become “everyman” topics.  This tutor is right on board:  when you deal mainly with young, fit people, you’re best off to be youthful and fit yourself.

With family, work, and the pressure to stay fit, many find themselves squeezed from different sides.  Inevitably, the following question begs to be answered:

• Assuming I can find some time for exercise, what are the best ones to do?

I’m definitely not a workout specialist; I can only contribute observations I’ve made from my own experience.  Generally, I’ve trended away from muscle building exercises, towards aerobic ones.  The year before this, I focused mainly on outdoor running, running up and down stairs, and riding the stationary bike. This past year, I’ve changed mainly to skipping.

I’ve mainly given up outdoor running for two reasons.  The first reason is injuries:  I never run on pavement, yet I still get injured running.  The second reason is crowding:  the fields I run in can be quite busy.  A serious runner needs space.

Running up and down the stairs is great.  For me, it’s indoors, so it doesn’t offer the advantage of fresh air.  Another drawback: it can’t be done when people might need to use the stairs.  Furthermore, I find it doesn’t build the calf muscles the way I like.

My stationary bike is outside, so it’s a fresh-air activity.  It truly is a great exercise; I find it to be injury-free.  From my point of view, its only drawback is that the musculature you get from it is quite disconnected from everyday life.  (I’m not a cyclist other than on the stationary bike.)

Why I like skipping, and some other observations about exercise in general, I’ll share in the  next post.  For now, let’s make the most of this perfect summer day, whatever we are doing:)

Jack of Oracle Tutoring by Jack and Diane, Campbell River, BC.