Dalivandrian

I am playing my loremaster on Landroval somewhat sporadically. I've been using lotro as a break from my other games but I would be up for doing some group events here as well. My character is fairly low level, though.

I'm up for it, I had fun with the couple of runs I was able to do with people last time. I really only have one character, though. Level 30 Loremaster.

Exos has a whole set of free workout programs on their site. They have a weekly livestream calendar and if you check out their youtube you can find playlists for low intensity, high intensity, strength training, yoga, etc workouts. I did one of the metabolic workouts and it tuckered me out pretty good. All free, no adverts that I have seen so far in the actual video programs. https://www.exosathome.com/diy-weekly-planInsert other media

If you like it that much already (and I did when I started the series as well) then you are in for a fantastic ride through the rest of the series. It's one of those "I wish I could read it again for the first time" kind of series for me. Enjoy!

Woohoo!

This book may be a good resource for those of you interested in setting up a workout routine at home while practicing social distancing. I really respect the trainer that put this out and own the book myself in hard copy. I don't get any sort of profit from sales of this book - I just think that it has very sound fundamental advice and routines. A couple of notes about it: 1. The exercises that he includes do sometimes use equipment. He almost always includes some sort of low-cost DIY alternative. Some examples: door frame pull-up bar, home-made ab roller (with lawnmower tires, I have actually made a set of these and they are very cheap and very effective!), resistance bands. 2. While he includes a beginner-friendly workout, it is not the primary focus of the book I think it is a great resource for $1 if you keep those things in mind. You CAN put together an all bodyweight routine with this book, but it is really intended to help you set up a program at home with resources that make it more manageable and less costly than buying commercial equipement.

I'm now on book two of The Craft Sequence by Max Gladstone and I have to say that I am thoroughly enjoying it so far. It's got a very interesting premise (or set of premises?) and setting and I really like his writing style. Hard to describe, so here is some more information straight from the author himself if you are inclined to check them out: https://www.maxgladstone.com/2014/09/1364/ In non-fiction land, I just picked up The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers

I actually got myself 'back on' the bandwagon a month or two before the new year but I'll gladly join you all on this one going through 2020. I got serious about a fitness and health regimen about 10 years ago when I had a bit of a wake-up call at a doctor's visit. I did really well and got myself into pretty decent shape and was able to come back off the medications I was put on. I'm not anti-medication, I just realized that with some effort I could probably get myself in a situation where they were not yet necessary. So, I got a bit complacent in the intervening time and have recently made a commitment to get back to it! I'm not a spring chicken anymore (more of a mid to late fall chicken at this point, I think) so I really want to keep this up to help my quality of life. I feel so much better already, physically and mentally. I think finding something you like doing is a big part of the challenge. I'm currently working my way back through Mark Verstegen's Core Performance program. It was recommended to me years ago by a PT while I was getting rehab for one thing or another - I don't recall which particular thing it was. I had a number of issues on and off when I was playing racquetball seriously. Anyhow, I really like it as it trains a lot of different modalities: flexibility, balance, strength, aerobic and anaerobic capacity (He has this under Energy System Development). I modify it a bit as I prefer to work out at home so I do a lot of bodyweight, dumbell and resistance band training for some of the strength work. I supplement with some yoga as well. Once I'm done with that I plan to put some programs together with some books that I got from Ross Enamait. Never Gymless and Infinite Intensity are the books I have. He trains boxers but he has some really great no-nonsense fitness advice in his materials and I love his general philosopy. His books and site got me into jumping rope in the winter when it is crappy, cold (esp when below 0) and icy out for the ESD/aerobic part of my routine. I think little things like taking the stairs, parking a little further and walking, getting up from the desk and stretching, can make a difference as well. Helps me think and see myself as 'active' even more than doing the workouts sometimes. Great to have some company on the journey and glad to a part of the club!