I will try to stretch twice a day. Either five minutes on the floor before I work out, or at a minimum throw my leg up on the handrail a couple times a day and touch my toes.
The elliptical machine works well. I am a power walker. If I’m taking more than a couple steps I walk with my hips in front of my shoulders and lunge from the hips. And take stairs either two or three at a time.
As far as exercises I really like the half wipers and side bridges. Rollovers feel good. Lots of leg lifts and cross crunches. Anything with a twist or bridge seems to do the trick.
as far the QL. I do the majority of my lifting standing up. If I have correct posture and technique I can feel the lift engaged all the way to my QL.
Then you know then I go hike a shit load. Like 35 miles in three days in Moab. Or 20 miles in one day. Or go hike 13-14k peak.