Autumn Years Summer 2023

after the initial difficulty of starting, the rest is actually more about maintaining and increasing momentum. It will re quire consistent practice, repetition and intensity but mostly motivation. The key is in understanding that even small steps will take you to the summit, albeit slower than you might like. Getting or staying active through movement must be enjoyable. It is important to seek out activities that you enjoy or used to enjoy before experi encing limitations. Even better, this is a great time to try new and different things! There are a whole host of fun movement activities available to seniors today. Check with your local library or community for senior resources. Many fitness facilities have senior programs and even offer free member ships for Medicare recipients. Maybe try pickleball, which is the current rage for all ages (no actual pickles have ever been involved or injured), hiking or walking clubs or age-appropriate group exercise and/or dance classes. It is great to recruit a friend or family member to go along with you, especially if you are a bit timid about doing it on your own. And remember that if it excites you and scares you at the same time, it might be a good thing to try. Make every effort to include and increase movement every day. Consider getting a Fitness Tracking device like a Smartwatch or Fitbit to help remind and motivate you to “move it or lose it,” but remember that your best motiva tion will be the reward of renewed and prolonged functionality. Age well by making moving fun to stay Fit for Life .

These signals along with diminished strength and stamina tell us that instead of just letting our bodies adapt, it is now time to acknowledge these changes and proactively accommodate our bodies. If we ignore these signals, the problems will worsen. The only way to prevent continued loss of function is to resume and continue movement.

We find we are unable to perform some ordinary activities of daily living. We may require assistance with things we have always been able to do by ourselves. Our strength, stamina and ability begin to wane simply because we have let them go. It is also important to note that in addition to loss of body functionality, inadequate movement can precipitate loss of cognitive function. In a study published in the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurol ogy, they found that older adults who reported either light or no exercise at all experienced a cognitive decline equal to 10 more years of aging when compared to people who were moderate to intense exercisers. Clearly, it is how we respond to aging that is often the difference between aging well and just aging and continued movement can make that difference.

“Nothing happens until something moves.” –Albert Einstein

People are not always aware of their own limited range of motion. The first step should be to see your doctor for an assessment and to rule out any medical condition that may be causing limited movement. Osteoarthritis is a common culprit but there may be other factors. Often something as simple as Stretching, Yoga or Tai Chi classes may be all that is needed to resolve the issues. In addi tion, a regular fitness routine including appropriate muscle strengthening and flexibility cannot only increase function ality but also ward off further problems. If you are unsure of what kinds of exercises would help, it would be best to seek out a good personal trainer, even if only for a limited time to ensure safe and appropriate exercises. For those who have more severe limitations, the aforementioned “re-education” (physi cal and/or occupational therapy) may be required and should be discussed with your physician. It is never too late to relearn, regain and even improve lost functionality. It may not be easy to recover what we have lost, but remember that in moving,

“Getting old is like climbing a mountain; you get a little out of breath but the views are much better!” –Ingrid Bergman

As we age, the changes in our bodies often make movement more uncomfort able and activities that we have always done with the greatest of ease become more challenging and tiresome. It is not uncommon to avoid these movements or even stop them completely. It is impor tant to pay attention to the signals our bodies give us in the form of limited range of motion, discomfort or pain.

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SUMMER 2023 I AUTUMN YEARS