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!
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’.
What about your mind? I play canasta on Friday with a bunch of ladies. It has been said that playing a difficult game, like canasta, will keep your mind sharp. I don’t know about you, but I need all the help I can get in that area! I am forgetting words – like tray or lunch or vacation. Ahhhhhh!!!! Do some puzzles. Play solitaire. Anything that makes your mind solve something difficult will keep your brain moving too!
This is so true. I watched it first hand with my parents, so am determined not to let it happen to me. A fractured vertebrae in my back eventually resulted in PT, and I learned the joy of stretching and moving. I am determined not to be one of those “old” people who are hunched over. When I find myself thinking that there are more important things I should be doing, I remind myself that “this is for me”. I am just as important as everyone/thing on my to do list.
Thanks Susan – so true. I skipped my exercise 2x this week and it makes me mad. Nothing is more important. Cause, if I can’t move I think my family wouldn’t know what to do!! Keep up the good work!
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INCLUDED - My Party Planner! Put your party hat on and plan with confidence! Grab yours before they are gone!
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This is so true. I watched it first hand with my parents, so am determined not to let it happen to me. A fractured vertebrae in my back eventually resulted in PT, and I learned the joy of stretching and moving. I am determined not to be one of those “old” people who are hunched over. When I find myself thinking that there are more important things I should be doing, I remind myself that “this is for me”. I am just as important as everyone/thing on my to do list.
Thanks Susan – so true. I skipped my exercise 2x this week and it makes me mad. Nothing is more important. Cause, if I can’t move I think my family wouldn’t know what to do!! Keep up the good work!