Move Because You Can
Snow in New England makes everything beautiful, and it’s a lot of work to clean up.
This morning, we had 2 - 3 inches of a wintery mix that covered our driveway and needed to be shoveled before my first client arrived. It was super wet and heavy so had to moved in small sections and probably took about an hour to clear.
Yes, we could hire a plow to clear the heavy snow, but we don’t for two reasons:
I’m a little bit too cheap to pay what It costs for the plow when I can get the work done in approximately an hour.
It’s a free workout that helps to keep me strong and healthy to engage in the activities that I enjoy more.
When you continue to move on a regular basis, your body stays strong and healthy. When you stop moving, it becomes harder and harder to get back to moving.
My grandmother sat in a recliner for the last 20 years of her life and only got out of it to move to her wheelchair or her bed, yet there was nothing physically wrong with her.
She had fallen and broken her ankle in her 70’s and was afraid to fall again, so she just stopped moving.
This past month, I have met 3 women in their 70’s who refuse to stop moving and have started (or resumed) learning how to maintain their physical health.
One wants to improve her strength and cardiovascular endurance before going on a trip to the Galapagos with her daughter
Another wants to enhance her strength and flexibility so she can confidently get back on her bicycle regularly, and
The third simply wants to be healthy, flexible and strong as she ages so she can do whatever she wants.
You are never too old to stop moving. There are women in their 90’s and 100’s who continue to compete in a variety of senior olympic events. In interviews, they report that they do it because it keeps them young, it’s social, and it’s fun.
Almost any movement is possible if you believe you can, and then takes steps to make it your reality.
Action Steps:
Consider your beliefs about exercise, movement and what’s possible for you.
Is there a possibility that you could do more than you presently do, if you wanted to, or are you already pretty active and happy with your level of movement and flexibility?
Decide how you want to live your life as you age and take steps to make it happen safely (e.g., slowly add more strength, cardio and/or stretching to your current routine or contact a professional for help).
If you want support starting a new exercise program, feel free to contact me for a free consultation.
