aerobic sailing???

[Herschel]

Hey, fellow Mac sailors. Virtually every time I go boating, even if it is just motoring, I score well on my heart monitor with my smart watch. I'm 80 years old so my target heart rate for moderate exercise should be about 112 according to the American Heart Association. Yesterday I was out enjoying some motoring on the St. Johns River with a friend, transiting from my marina slip to an anchorage for lunch and return. I scored 57 intensity minutes and had target heart rate for a couple of hours. I am in good cardiac health confirmed by bi-annual checkups with my cardiologist. So, I am cool with this, but the Admiral does not score similarly with her smart watch when she goes boating with me. We both have Garmin's. I figure that I know as the captain, I am in charge and maintain the customary alertness that goes with that plus the normal physical activity of prepping for underway, taking in and setting fenders, undocking and docking, anchoring, sail prep if sailing, and...using the head! Does anyone else on the forum have similar results from their physical activity while boating?

[NiceAft]

Herschel,

Throw the watch overboard.

Take your pick.




Maybe we should just ignore this last one.

[Russ]

You are an inspiration.

I'm 63 and the admiral thinks I'm getting too old for boating. She says "It's so much work and I'm getting old." I'll have to show her this post.

I have an Apple watch that I really don't know how to use the biometric stuffs. It tracks some interesting data. I'll have to take some time to learn how to use it.

[kmclemore]

Well, I’m 69 and still at it, so I guess it ain’t that difficult!

That being said, Jan and I are leading our scouts on a trip to Philmont Scout Ranch this summer. For those who don’t know, Philmont is a very large plot of land in northeastern New Mexico, where Scouts can go on 12 day backpacking treks up into the Sangre de Cristo mountains, at altitudes up to 12,500 feet, where they will be virtually on their own for most of the time. We have six scouts going and four adults, and I think our backpacks will weigh about 35-40 pounds. I figure if we can do this, we’re certainly good for sailing for another 10 years!

Jan’s in pink… I’m taking the photo…

[Stickinthemud57]

While I don't kid myself that sailing is a substitute for my exercise classes, I place it in the "worthwhile physical activity" category. Lately I struggle between staying safe in the cockpit and the more physical and less "safe" onboard activities such as evaluating rigging tweaks, mods, and general futzing I like to do while underway. For instance, roller furling would be more convenient and save me the trips to the foredeck when taking down and securing the jib, but I am not ready to give up the performance of my hank-ons and the little bit of extra activity that dealing with them affords.

Although I don't have a way to measure the benefits, I am convinced that the serenity and meditative nature of sailing helps my overall mental health (and maybe my blood pressure?). My other hobbies too often have me sitting in front of my computer, so all the more reason to keep sailing as long as I am able. The octogenarians at this forum give me hope that I can continue for another decade or two.

NiceAft - Thanks or the graphics. I need to print those out and frame them!

[Herschel]

Stickinthemud57 reported:

While I don't kid myself that sailing is a substitute for my exercise classes, I place it in the "worthwhile physical activity" category.

That is what I am curious about. Yes, I endeavor to get in bicycling and swimming on a regular basis, but, honestly, I fall far short of my desired frequency. Life just seems to "get in the way." So, that has me curious about the apparent "aerobic sailing" I appear to be getting which compliments (but not replaces) the bicycling and swimming. If so, anything helps. If anyone else with a smart watch can share their experiences in this area, I would be interested.

[Be Free]

I don't have any hard numbers, but I recall a few years ago an exercise app I was using listed "sailing" as an activity that burned a surprisingly high number of calories per hour.

Anecdotally, I feel tired after a day of sailing and I'm looking forward to rolling into the berth as soon as the sun goes down (not my normal sleep pattern).

It sounds like what we do for fun may actually be (accidentally) good for us.

[dlandersson]

Thank you for this. I'm turning 70 and I was wondering if I should hang it up.

I'm 80 years old so my target heart rate for moderate exercise should be about 112 according to the American Heart Association.

[NiceAft]

I’m on the downslope to 76, and going strong, but I do exercise with 50lb barbell and 20lb dumbbells three times a week just before power walking 5.1 miles. I’m exhausted afterwards, but it’s how I try stay in shape.

And yes, Herschel is my inspiration.

[Herschel]

I’m on the downslope to 76, and going strong, but I do exercise with 50lb barbell and 20lb dumbbells three times a week just before power walking 5.1 miles. I’m exhausted afterwards, but it’s how I try stay in shape.

And yes, Herschel is my inspiration.

You are so gracious. I am impressed with the 50lb-ers. I use two 15 lb-ers for physical therapy twice a week for my osteoarthritis in my knees, and I thought that was cool. It did feel good to go into Dick's sporting goods a few months ago and go back to to the weightlifting section and buy some barbells. Felt like I got my man card punched one more time. But 5.1 miles is out of my league. I do try to get 4-5,000 steps a day.

[Stickinthemud57]

Stickinthemud57 reported:

While I don't kid myself that sailing is a substitute for my exercise classes, I place it in the "worthwhile physical activity" category.

That is what I am curious about. Yes, I endeavor to get in bicycling and swimming on a regular basis, but, honestly, I fall far short of my desired frequency. Life just seems to "get in the way." So, that has me curious about the apparent "aerobic sailing" I appear to be getting which compliments (but not replaces) the bicycling and swimming. If so, anything helps. If anyone else with a smart watch can share their experiences in this area, I would be interested.

I am of the opinion (and research backs me up) that fitness watches are not an effective tool when it comes to establishing an effective exercise routine, so I have nothing to offer there.

I have found that for me any exercise regimen without some form of accountability works only for a short while - as evidenced by the rowing machine currently collecting dust in my office. To those with more resolve and willpower, I salute you.

Frustratingly, the rewards of better health have never been enough to keep me on a program, so I pay to be in an exercise class that meets at regularly scheduled times. This way it goes on my calendar, my frugal nature makes the guilt kick in if I skip, and since my wife is in the class too the accountability level is high, and I actually find myself looking forward to the classes.

I have been doing this for 6 months, a record for me.

[OverEasy]

Hi Herschel,

And yes, Herschel is my inspiration

Best Regards,
Over Easy

[FittsFly]

Well, I’m 69 and still at it, so I guess it ain’t that difficult!

That being said, Jan and I are leading our scouts on a trip to Philmont Scout Ranch this summer. For those who don’t know, Philmont is a very large plot of land in northeastern New Mexico, where Scouts can go on 12 day backpacking treks up into the Sangre de Cristo mountains, at altitudes up to 12,500 feet, where they will be virtually on their own for most of the time. We have six scouts going and four adults, and I think our backpacks will weigh about 35-40 pounds. I figure if we can do this, we’re certainly good for sailing for another 10 years!

Well welcome to New Mexico! I saw "Philmont" and recognized that as being in my neck of the woods. Thats great that your going to do that! Take it slow, I'm 60 , live in Southern NM at 3400 ft but any time I visit up there even in Santa Fe around 7000' I can feel the altitude.
Bring the boat and go a little more NW after and Sail Navajo lake. Might be on my list this year.

[kmclemore]

Well, I’m 69 and still at it, so I guess it ain’t that difficult!

That being said, Jan and I are leading our scouts on a trip to Philmont Scout Ranch this summer. For those who don’t know, Philmont is a very large plot of land in northeastern New Mexico, where Scouts can go on 12 day backpacking treks up into the Sangre de Cristo mountains, at altitudes up to 12,500 feet, where they will be virtually on their own for most of the time. We have six scouts going and four adults, and I think our backpacks will weigh about 35-40 pounds. I figure if we can do this, we’re certainly good for sailing for another 10 years!

Well welcome to New Mexico! I saw "Philmont" and recognized that as being in my neck of the woods. That's great that your going to do that! Take it slow, I'm 60 , live in Southern NM at 3400 ft but any time I visit up there even in Santa Fe around 7000' I can feel the altitude.
Bring the boat and go a little more NW after and Sail Navajo lake. Might be on my list this year.

Thanks for the tips! Yeah, I did Philmont with my two sons when I was 53... and I hike in the Colorado mountains about once a year... but at 69 it's definitely more of a challenge. Can't bring the boat, though... we're flying out to Denver with all the Scout girls and then doing a few things along the way to let them get acclimated to the altitude before we get to NM and start backpacking. Garden of the Gods, some whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River, etc. Should be fun.

[Herschel]

Well, I’m 69 and still at it, so I guess it ain’t that difficult!

That being said, Jan and I are leading our scouts on a trip to Philmont Scout Ranch this summer. For those who don’t know, Philmont is a very large plot of land in northeastern New Mexico, where Scouts can go on 12 day backpacking treks up into the Sangre de Cristo mountains, at altitudes up to 12,500 feet, where they will be virtually on their own for most of the time. We have six scouts going and four adults, and I think our backpacks will weigh about 35-40 pounds. I figure if we can do this, we’re certainly good for sailing for another 10 years!

Well welcome to New Mexico! I saw "Philmont" and recognized that as being in my neck of the woods. Thats great that your going to do that! Take it slow, I'm 60 , live in Southern NM at 3400 ft but any time I visit up there even in Santa Fe around 7000' I can feel the altitude.
Bring the boat and go a little more NW after and Sail Navajo lake. Might be on my list this year.

OK, this may be a tad off target, but it is my New Mexico story. Summers of 2021 and 2022 we drove our pickup and travel trailer from Orlando to Escondido, CA. We had a family member dealing with health issues and wanted max time on site. 2022 we are headed east toward home on I-10. three days driving/two nights rest and recoup, then repeated. Stopped in Deming, NM for two nights. Asked the RV camp host for tips on a good restaurant. Wanted a steak. She sent us to a great barn like place deep in the foothills. My rib-eye was the diameter of a basketball! Great meal. Stopped in the head on the way out. Urinal "deodorant cake" suddenly sprouted 8 hair legs and started crawling toward my feet. Tarantula! Backed off as much as I could as I "finished my business" and skedaddled out the room. Owner asked me how the meal was, "Great" I remarked, but the tarantula in the urinal was a challenge for this ole Florida boy." "Oh, that's a common feature around here; we'll shoo him on his way." Didn't check my smart watch, but it was probably "aerobic" level heart rate for a few moments there.