Don't Stop Moving People
What better day to talk of getting older than on your birthday? I think young people are about the only people who can’t wait to celebrate their birthday. As you get older, it loses its attraction. Then, and I don’t know, but it may get a little more exciting when you are still around in your nineties. Maybe there’s a little fun in seeing if you can turn into a centenarian, reach a milestone, accomplish something most people don’t. There’s the common adage, “it’s hell to get old.” I’ve been extremely fortunate with some great health and very minor aches and pains. My husband is walking around like he has wooden legs and ski boots on presently. Those years of wrestling and running culminating in 2 ACL replacements does take its toll. Add in cold, wet weather and ta-da! You have a recipe for joint pain. No worries, he has an appointment next week, and no doubt will go through with double knee replacements if feasible. He has about the highest pain tolerance of anyone I know. Maybe I do too I don’t know. My dad used to say he didn’t think my nerves had fully developed as I didn’t seem to feel pain. Oh, the proverbs of Jim Goodwin! Again, for another blog! However, when people speak of getting old, I think the “hell” part is certainly the physical side. Nothing works like it used to, things crack and creak going up the steps (which I solve by running up them ha so I can’t hear those noises), the body is stiff in the morning, and maybe some of the fitness the body loved to do has had to be cut back in intensity. And if we’ve learned nothing in this COVID-19 world, it’s that we MUST keep moving now more than ever. Our natural reaction when we are sick is rest, lay around, take it easy. In many cases this is true, but then we develop other problems when we sit or lounge too much: slower metabolism, compromised posture, neck and spine problems, higher risk of diabetes and high blood pressure, higher risk of clot formation, and even chronic pain. I’m adding one more: depression. Let’s talk about moving!
Many of you may or may not know I teach yoga at a treatment center for addiction. I hear a lot of chronic pain problems that in many cases lead to the addiction. That pain may have arisen from a car accident, work-related accident, botched surgery, or other types of injuries. One thing I have observed time and time again: the movement helps their body and their mind. Some days we are sticking to a true yoga formatted class. Other times, I can sense an anxiety or agitation in the room. I don’t know what’s causing it specifically for everyone, but I can try to remove it even if for the 50-60 minutes we are there. And in most cases, that means throwing something at them that’s more strenuous, a new move, music with a faster tempo or repetition of a move to promote exhaustion. They focus on what their body is doing, not their mind. They must move, work a little harder, and keep going. My apologies to all the true yogis out there as I buck the format, and throw mindfulness to the wind (don’t fret, we still have savasana for that). Of course, a few will fade, but it’s remarkable how many will keep trying. The other outcome over the weeks is the disappearance or at least the minimization of pain. “I can’t do that because it hurts” on week one, turns into executing the move without complaint several weeks later. Now, what changed? It’s rather simple. They started moving. Literally, just moving. Now, are there people who will always be limited because of trauma or injury to their bodies? Absolutely. As we age, we’ve been conditioned somehow to just stop moving if something hurts. I’ve injured knees, shoulders, ankles, feet, and my back over the years. The last time I injured my knee (as in, I couldn’t even walk on it), I thought that’s it, I’m going to have to have surgery. My smart daughter said try PT first. Just because you’re in pain doesn’t mean you need surgery. Well, she was correct. With the help of Shawn Adamson, I got my knee back without surgery. Did I have to take it easy for a while, dance less, not take those squats so low, remove jumps? Yep! However, NOT moving entirely, was not an option. I have practiced R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) so much over my lifetime I’ve lost count, but I’m still here, still moving. Our bodies need to move. Our joints need to work. Our muscles need to be strengthened. We cannot give up on our bodies. Look at your dog if they are in that age 10 and up category. They’re moving a little less, sleeping a lot more, and having a difficulty getting up and down off your bed, couch, or whatever (if you allow that kind of thing in your house!). They need to keep moving too. Just like you and me. Their entire being spun off playing, running, catching, retrieving, and chasing. Humans are meant to move too. Does our movement change some as we age? Of course, it does, but it shouldn’t stop completely. I recall my mom talking about people she had known who had retired, and just were so glad to have the freedom, they sat down in front of the tv. She said, “they’re just waiting to die. You have to keep moving and find a reason to get out of bed each day.” Harsh? Maybe. True? Definitely. Before she had her hip replacement, she’d struggle getting up from a chair, but then she’d say, “once I get moving, I’m good.” It’s why I’m so thrilled I was born in 1965 instead of 1765 or 1865 because these hip and knee replacements (when I need them) can keep me moving!
I didn’t even touch on the benefit of physical movement for the mind. I’ll save that for another post. That’s the good stuff in my opinion. I have a little plaque that says, “You’re only one workout away from a good mood.” I’ve used movement as my therapy my whole life. Can’t stop now. Why does your Fitbit or Apple Watch tell you to get up and move? Why do they have standing goals or step goals? Because sitting is the new smoking. Let that shit sink in a moment. Wow. It’s a new year, get moving. Take a walk with your dog. Stand up and do 25 squats. Walk up and down your block or driveway. Work on getting 3000 steps in a day, then start to increase that by 500 steps each week. Turn on your favorite music and dance around. Take the steps instead of the elevator. Take an online or live fitness class. Dust off your bike. Sit in a chair and stand up and down 25 times. Hold a plank for 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute (you’ll be shocked how quickly you’ll build up your time). Too cold outside? Put on a damn hat, gloves and heavy coat and take a walk or hike. Make a vow to keep moving. Reason #439: what if you do need surgery? If you’re used to moving and grooving, you’re going to have a way better recovery process. Start out small and build on it. You don’t have to run a marathon, just take a walk. You don’t have to turn into a fitness pro, just challenge yourself. Try different types of exercise and movements that fit your lifestyle and your body type. Don’t start out doing insanity for crying out loud unless you’re young, fit, ready, or used to doing that already. Just get moving. I can guarantee you’ll start feeling better: physically and mentally. Do you have to go 125% everyday? No. Some days you’ll feel great and be able to push yourself a little more than the day or week before possibly. Some days, it’s all you can do to just take a walk, and that’s ok! Just keep moving, little by little, day by day, week by week, month by month, and before you know it, you’re moving on a regular basis. You’re feeling better, stronger, and wiser! You’ll be skirting some serious health problems, sleeping better, and maybe dropping a few pounds. For so many with sedentary jobs or for those who are now working from home, it’s critical. Make some time out of your day to move! Your life depends on it. Your loved ones are depending on it too!
Happy Birthday to me! Feeling great at 56 honestly. Now, time to get moving and get up from my computer!