As we age

Getting older and the cruelty of things like sarcopenia hit hard for some people. Why?

We’ve all heard the term in this era: Lifestyle. More specifically, the way you move, the posture you hold, what you eat, drink, who you surround yourself with and on top it all off, what you wear are all important contributors to our daily lives. The choices we make without thinking affect us the most. And most of all, they affect the aging process. Reflecting on what we have in the present and understanding what will be good for us in the future can significantly determine our quality of life.

Those who find the spark to alter their lifestyle like Pamela and who start after the age of 60, well that’s priceless. I applaud anyone and everyone who has the determination, courage and resilience to begin making different choices. Not only are weights important for stability and overall strength in the body, but they keep our muscles and bones active on a cellular level. Sarcopenia is when muscles lose their strength and quality and this happens when the tissue is not stressed; or in other words, worked out . “The rate of muscle loss is dependent on exercise level, comorbidities, nutrition, and other factors.” No one is immune to tissue decay and cell depletion, but what we do to combat this, tells all.

Will you be the person that increases your risk for disease? Or will you take one day at a time to change your endurance and strength? Although I ask brusquely, I mean well.

Maybe for you this means turning on your favorite song and moving nonstop until it ends. Maybe if you enjoy numbers, you take 1 squat and one push-up at the top of every hour but increase in number each time. And if you enjoy competition of a certain kind, maybe you would prefer to challenge a friend to see how many steps you could get in a day or how much water you could drink before the sun went down. Whichever methods you choose, the benefits will come if your consistency lasts.

Speaking of long lasting changes it is important to know that healthy habits are contagious. Another word for this is positive behavior modeling. In the book, “Everyday Emotional Intelligence” featuring articles of the Harvard business review, people of a high EQ can effectively motivate and bring about positive changes. It’s never fun to be the one positive person amongst complainers, as I’m sure we’ve all experienced. However tedious as it seems right now, it is crucial to be aware of our community and those near to us, especially as our social circles likely become smaller as we age.

Improving our lives doesn’t have to mean dramatic, grand gestures, but it does mean taking time for introspection and dedicating a few minutes for our physical body. My personal method for self-care includes setting a timer. As someone with tendencies of ADHD, I find this holds me accountable especially when I am by myself. Not only does consistency bring change, but it increases morale and that, “yes” inside of you grows deeper. With so much information flooding our inboxes, trusting what we know and how we feel is ever important. If you have a system in place for longevity and living a healthy life, I’d love to hear about it. Until then, wishing everyone a strong and mobile season to come.