LifeTimes 12/18/2022

Spun with Foonerisms by Merl Reagle

Strasberg’s role in The Godfather, Part II

“Pretty maids all in ___”

A magazine or a cereal

Quick rapping sound

“___ your side!”

Ivan of tennis

Business abbr.

Utah city

Zodiac signs

sudden

Place for the walk-in wounded

Deserve

Been brought up

Carlos and Madonna, parents of Lourdes

Hawkeye’s outfit 75 Take (doze) 76 Hardbound alternatives: abbr.

Where Pam goes 82 Yes, 27 Across 84 A wife of Jacob

1983 taxi comedy

Star-crossed kid

Greek liqueur

the crack of dawn

Chow chart

Cabinet branch that oversees land: abbr. 95 Slay 96 Mr. Cassini

Behind by a single point

Army grade abbr.

“Over There” writer George

Newcomer

Formosa, today

Caesar’s 191

Hindu social class

One on the aisle?

the wheel

Haley epic

Preamble start

Buddies

As we speak

Overly

Ring outcome, briefly

The Crimean, for one

Earth, in combos

Spell

Saving meth.

Huck’s chum

1978 Alfa Romeo Spider, chocolate brown with a cream convertible top

I had been looking for a VW Karmann Ghia for years. I asked my neighbor to keep an eye out for one. One night in 2000, he called and said he found ‘my car.’ I immediately went over to his driveway with a flashlight and at first glance, thought ‘this is a weird Karmann Ghia.’ He told

me it was an Alfa Romeo, but I didn’t know what an Alfa Romeo was. He said, “It’s an Italian sports car like the one in the movie The Graduate.” It only took one spin around the block for me to fall in love with this car. My Alfa Romeo is chocolate brown (an extremely rare original color) with a cream

colored convertible top and interior It was in mint condition except for the carpet, which I have since replaced. I enter it in many car shows and often take home a trophy. It is such a fun car to drive and always turns heads when I fly down the highway.

CALL TO READERS

Tell us your love story

What’s the story behind your favorite or first car? We’d like to share it. Please send:

• Your name, city where you live and your age (with your date of birth).

• The year, make and model of the car, with a description of the car and why you love it.

• A high-resolution photo or a scanned image. (Must be of the actual car.)

• Send to drive@tampabay .com and put My Favorite Car or My First Car in the subject line.

Get outside and play

This winter, enjoy the great outdoors while getting fit in Tampa Bay.

begin your routine with a warmup and stretching and conclude it with a cooldown, which can incorporate stretching or walking.

BY ERIN FEITSMA Times Total Media Correspondent

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: winter, when the Florida weather becomes a bit more bearable, and we can finally break out our holiday-themed, pompomclad knitwear with glee (just me?).

Don’t miss an opportunity to take advantage of the Sunshine State’s slightly cooler temperatures. Enjoy the great outdoors in beautiful Tampa Bay and kick-start your 2023 New Year’s resolutions with a new outdoor fitness program.

According to the “Exercise: The Right Program and the Right Preparation” resource from BayCare, exercise need not be particularly rigorous for it to be beneficial. Thirty minutes of moderate exercise every day or on most days of the week is recommended. Before beginning a new fitness regimen, it’s important to contact your health care provider to make sure the program or activity you’d like to start is the right fit for you, especially if you have an existing medical condition. Beginners should gradually work their way up to implementing 30 minutes of a new program or activity into their days. New workout regimens should consist of moderate exercise, nothing too strenuous. Always make sure to

Don’t forget, fitness can be fun –after all, we’ve long heard that the best kind of exercise is the kind you do consistently. Here, we’ve compiled a list of enjoyable exercise activities with epic Tampa Bay area views that will get you moving in no time.

Paddleboarding at The Getaway: For a balance-building workout on the water, you can’t beat Urban Kai’s stand-up paddleboarding class. Catch some rays and do some reps with this workout routine performed entirely on a paddleboard. This Urban Kai class challenges attendees to

do planks, sit-ups, burpees and more all while balancing on their boards. You’ll complete a body weight workout under the sun next to the coastal Gandy eatery, The Getaway (No one could blame you if you grabbed a seared tuna salad or Getaway chicken sandwich afterward.) Bring along a friend or loved one to complete the class with you; Urban Kai requires two or more paddlers to book this class. Prices vary. Plan to spend $40 if you need to rent a paddleboard, or $20 if you plan to bring your own board. Urbankai.com.

Kayaking in Caladesi Island StatePark: If you love the water but would rather wade in a kayak than test your balance on a paddleboard, you can give your arms a workout by traversing Caladesi Island State Park’s paddling trail. Located in Dunedin, Caladesi Island State Park can only be reached by boat. The island’s paddling trail takes you through a forest of mangroves and puts a spotlight on Florida’s natural beauty. Choose your own adventure with 1-mile and 3-mile trail paths and keep your eye out for wildlife while staying active in a unique and

undeniably gorgeous setting You might even see a manatee! Pro tip: Make sure to apply bug repellant before embarking on your kayak voyage to keep the mosquitoes at bay. Floridastateparks.org/learn/ paddling-caladesi-island.

Walking on the Riverwalk: Getting your steps in by walking around your neighborhood or on a treadmill is perfectly fine, but every now and then, you may crave a break from familiar scenery. Enter Tampa’s Riverwalk. The Riverwalk is an unfurling 2.6 miles of trail that hugs the Hillsborough River and invites vibrant, joy-giving views. From boat parades to a holiday tree lighting, different events and displays rotate at the Riverwalk so there’s often something new and interesting to see at different times of the year. You’ll also get different views depending on the time of day you visit. Enjoy a sunrise stroll with your dog and a cup of Buddy Brew Coffee or go after sunset to marvel at the nighttime cityscape, all while getting a bit of exercise. Thetampariverwalk.com.

BikinginSt.Pete: Get your daily requirement of exercise and art appreciation at the same time when you book a St. Pete art and mural biking tour You’ll pedal alongside a

three-and-a-half-hour

tour guide who will take you through a

trek across

Kayakers enjoy the paddling trail at Caladesi Island State Park. The trail winds through a forest of mangroves, puts a spotlight on Florida’s natural beauty and is one way to stay active in a gorgeous local setting.

Log hours of exercise and get your daily dose of art appreciation with a St. Pete art and mural biking tour. Enjoy exploring the city and bike to over 30 of the murals that add to St. Pete’s special charm.

Courtesy of St. Pete Biking Tours

Photo floridastatparks.org

St. Pete to explore the city’s array of quirky murals. (We’re quite fond of Ricky Watts’ “Eye of the Storm” mural, ourselves.) You’ll log hours of exercise while getting an intimate 7-mile tour of the wonderfully artsy city and over 30 of the murals that add to its special charm. The tour costs $75 and includes lunch from the Burg Bar & Grill. You’ll even score a souvenir water bottle to help fuel your future biking journeys around the city. Stpetebikingtours .com/st-pete-mural-tour.

Bird-watchinginlocalparks: If it’s bird-watching you’re after, look no further than the Great Florida Birding Trail. This network of nature spots across Florida offers a variety of awe-inspiring places to spot wildlife and get out in green space. Some local bird-watching-friendly sites include Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, where you might see osprey and Eastern screech owls; or Brooker Creek Preserve, where you can take a guided bird walk on the weekend. Other birding locations in the area include Boca Ciega Millennium Park, Weedon Island Preserve and Sawgrass Lake Park. Get your bird-watching binoculars ready! Floridabirdingtrail.com.

YMCA local programs: The Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA offers a host of fun activities for those looking to get active, including land and water classes specially designed for seniors. There are low-

impact Enhance®Fitness classes, the Silver Sneakers program and even pickleball. Silver Sneakers® exercise routines include chair yoga classes, seated exercise programs and low-impact cardio and strength workouts. The program also offers an added social element.

“Silver Sneakers offers a community for our seniors and includes classes and oftentimes social activities,” said Dawn Kita, director of community health for the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA “Many centers offer lunchand-learns or potlucks, game days or even holiday parties to encourage social interaction and deeper friendships.”

Swimming classes and programs are also available at the YMCA, as well as the Masters Swim Team, which invites participants to train alongside swim coaches. Swimmers can register to compete at local and regional meets.

The fitness programs offered by Tampa YMCAs go beyond supporting just physical health and also help fortify relationships and foster a sense of community among participants.

“The benefits of being a part of YMCA programming are limitless,” said Kita. “Most seniors will find a community of others who are improving their health, staying active and who are very supportive

of each other Our seniors have the opportunity to be active together with the support of group exercise instructors and other YMCA staff. Additionally, the family-like atmosphere offers support.”

Kita encourages those who are considering starting a new fitness plan to first consult with their doctors to discuss any limitations they may have or parameters they should follow. Newbies should also make sure they have the appropriate clothing and shoes for workout routines and bring plenty of water and a small towel to the YMCA when they attend classes. Kita also stressed the importance of working at your own pace.

“They don’t need anything fancy to get started. The most important part is to simply start slowly, listen to their body and progress at their own pace.”

Tampa YMCA memberships vary in type and price. A Tampa YMCA membership for seniors ages 62 and over costs $44 a month plus a $29 joining fee, while membership for senior couples costs $69 per month plus the same $29 joining fee. Some Medicare MA plans may cover the cost of specific gym memberships, said Kita. Income-based YMCA scholarships are also available to help offset the cost of membership.

Tampa YMCA members have access to free group exercise classes, free special events, over 20 Tampa Bay YMCAs and more.

“The earlier people can learn to be active and live a healthier lifestyle, the better their quality of life can be throughout their lifetime,” said Kita. “It is easier to stay on a healthy track when you surround yourself with others who are doing so as well. Challenging your friends to

stay active, encouraging each other to make the right eating choices and being supportive can all help in the long run with a person’s health. The Y offers a community of folks who are working to be healthier every day no matter what their age.” Tampaymca.org.

Times Total Media is the sales and marketingdivisionoftheTampaBay Times. Contact timestotalmedia@ tampabay.com

with questions.

Enjoy the Tampa Riverwalk, a 2.6-mile-long trail along the Hillsborough River that invites vibrant, joy-giving views. Savor a sunrise stroll or go after sunset to marvel at the nighttime cityscape, all while getting a bit of exercise.

Tampa Bay area YMCAs offer a host of fun activities for those looking to get active, including land and water classes specially designed for seniors.

Urban Kai’s stand-up paddleboarding class challenges attendees to do planks, sit-ups, burpees and more while balancing on their boards. These paddleboarders enjoy a workout on the water near The Getaway on 13090 Gandy Blvd.

Courtesy of Urban Kai

Courtesy of the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA

Photo thetampariverwalk.com

IMPORTANCE OF ARM STRENGTH

We often take our 24 arm muscles for granted until it suddenly becomes difficult to get out of a chair or get up from the floor In addition to appearance, it is important to maintain arm strength as they are needed for practically every upper body movement we perform.

Strengthening arms and shoulders helps prevent a forward rounded posture which can lead to neck pain and shoulder injury. Weak arms can even negatively impact workout exercises. When you strengthen your back by doing a lat pulldown, you need strong bicep muscles to perform the movement. Pushups would be very difficult to perform with weak triceps. More benefits of having strong arms are: carrying groceries or grandchildren with less effort, helping you to break

a sudden fall after tripping if you are near a stable object. And of course, strong arms can help your tennis and golf games.

Meet Major Arm Muscles

The biceps and triceps are muscles of upper arms. The biceps are located on front of upper arm and are responsible for bending elbows and helping with shoulder rotation. Triceps are on the back of upper arms and allow you to extend arms. Bicep tendons attach the muscle to the shoulder and elbow. Tricep tendon attaches the tricep muscle at the back of upper arm to the elbow bone. Equal training of these muscles is important, as strength imbalances may make you more susceptible to injury.

ARM EXERCISE WARM-UP

Standing or sitting straight, have feet about shoulder-width apart.

• Hold arms straight out shoulder height with palms facing upward.

• Rotate arms from back to front 8-10 times.

• Rotate arms from front to back 8-10 times.

• Change hands so palms face the floor and repeat the pattern 2 or 3 times.

• Make arm movements slowly.

ARM STRETCHES FOR END OF WORKOUT

Extend right arm overhead to lengthen right side of your body.

• Bend right elbow, bringing fingers to middle of upper back.

• Hold right elbow with left hand and gently bring right elbow toward the back and to the left side.

• To increase the stretch, lengthen the right side of your torso even more by bending sideways to the left.

• Hold for 15-20 seconds, then repeat stretch on the opposite side.

• Repeat stretch several times.

ARM WORKOUT

Standing Bicep Curls build strength in upper arms and train shoulders to be more stable.

Standing or sitting tall with feet shoulder-width apart, hold a weight in each hand. Abdominals contracted.

• Hold weights by your sides, palms facing forward.

• Bend arms from elbows, moving weights toward shoulders.

• Slowly lower weights about 3 seconds until you reach starting position.

• Repeat 8-12 repetitions, building to 2-3 sets of 8-12 repetitions.

Tip: Avoid rolling wrists inward and keep elbows attached to sides.

Hammer Curl most effective for building forearm, wrist and grip strength.

Standing

Stand hip-width apart with a weight in each hand resting by your sides. Palms facing inward.

• Contract abdominals as you bend both arms at the elbow, lifting weights up to your shoulders.

• Only lower part of arm should be moving.

• Slowly lower weights back to starting position.

• Repeat 8-12 times, building to 2-3 sets of 8-12 repetitions.

Tip: Avoid rolling wrists inward and keep elbows “glued” to your sides.

Tricep Kickbacks target back of upper arms.

Holding a weight in each hand, lean forward from hips with knees slightly bent. Abdominals contracted.

• Bend arms, bringing elbows close to your chest with palms facing inward.

• Extend arms to the back until they are fully extended and parallel to floor.

• Bring arms back to starting position.

• Repeat pattern 10-12 repetitions.

Tip: Keep elbows at your sides throughout entire movement.

Overhead Tricep Extension strengthens muscles on back of upper arm and increases stability of shoulders and elbows.

Sitting or standing with feet hipwidth apart, hold center of one weight in both hands.

• Contract abdominals as you lift weight to behind your head; elbows should be bent and biceps near ears.

• Straighten arms as you lift weight straight up.

• Slowly bend arms as you lower weight back to the starting position.

• Repeat 10-12 repetitions.

Tip: Keep upper arms stationary as much as you can, only extending your forearm.

Check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program. Sally Anderson is happy to hear from readers but can’t respond to individual inquiries. Contact her at slafit@tampabay.rr.com.

Your Move | Demonstrated by Barbi Bozich