Use it or Lose It – Updated 2/11/23

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Is the aging process slowing you down? Have you heard that old saying ‘Use it or Lose it’? Well, I am finding out that it is 100% true.

I used to make fun of that quote. I thought It was weird and yes, I will admit it, I even thought….how stupid.  I never took the time to figure out what it even meant. Who is the stupid one in this equation? 😊

But, regardless of what I thought (or didn’t think) ‘Use it or Lose it’ is a true statement.  Whether it be your mind or your body, if we don’t engage those muscles those muscles will no longer exist. Our bodies were designed to move and to keep moving. We need to exercise.  We need to stretch. Because, if we don’t use them they will go away. And we will become stiff and definitely achey. I know this from personal experience!

Have you wondered why old (er) people walk like ducks? Their feet are carefully and deliberately placed at a V when they take a step. They do that so they can keep their balance because their quads, calves, and feet are not strong.  The muscles are weak. They lost it. Has this happened to you? If it has, It is not too late to reverse it!

My faves for beginning your ‘Moving Campaign':

So, how is your body doing? 

• Can you jump like you could as a kid? Or is it more like 2” off the ground…on a good day?
• Can you hike and jump from rock to rock? Or do you c.a.r.e.f.u.l.l.y step from rock to rock?
• Can you touch your toes? Or do you have to bend your knees to reach them?
• Can you even bend your knees to try and touch your toes?
• Can you sit on the floor?
• If you can sit on the floor can you even get up without help?
• Can you cut your own toenails?

About 5 years ago…

I realized that cutting my own toe nails was becoming difficult.  Holy moly! I joined a Pilates studio primarily for the sake of stretching.  I now go to yoga a few days a week, and let me tell you, those slow classes where I hold the pose for 5 seconds or more are killers! I can hardly move the next day! I have a long ways to go to be flexible. But, I am on the right track. And, I am proud to say that I can now cut my own toenails.

I am also not as stiff as I used to be.  Even tho I am still stiff! I am looking forward to finding out how my body is behaving in 2 years.  After 2+ years of yoga.  Maybe I will be able to touch my toes without bending my knees!

I would like to encourage you to get moving.  Find a class or an accountability partner.  I find that sometimes I need someone to make me get going. Or a class to make me finish. I mix in weight lifting, cardio intervals or body sculpt classes a few days a week when I am not at Yoga. I need to keep going!

Spend some time observing the older people around you. The ones at the grocery store or Target.  How do they move? Is it slow and deliberate? Then ask yourself it that is how you envision yourself in the future. If it is not….you gotta do something about it.  Keeping what you have will NOT happen by itself.

Because, I promise, if ‘You Don’t Use It, You Lose It’.

2/23 Update:

I moved to an area that did not have Pilates and very few Yoga classes were available. So, for about 4 years I did NOT use it. And guess what happened…I got stiff. I got wobbly. I ached everywhere. I knew that I needed to do something but what? And, I know me…I need a class to keep my motivated – working out from home doesn't keep me on track.

So, last month I joined Club Pilates. And I love it! I go 3-4 times a week if I can. And within a month I already feel a difference. I walk faster and my stride is longer…I don't feel as stiff or as wobbly. I can cut my toenails with ease.

My goal…put on my shoes without sitting down…to put them on while standing up!

My 2nd goal – to sit cross legged on the floor and not feel uncomfortable.

I definitely want to use it and NOT lost it.

So, remember…you want to use it or lost it!

Check out what I found for you below!