Balance, Strength and Mobility

Aging slows down metabolism and creates a body that may carry more fat easier than your younger self. Choices as you age change, your household gets smaller and you downsize and struggle with an aging body and disease. 

Lifestyle is very important in the choices you decide to make as you age, as is, having strength and balance is just as important.

Studies have shown weight training to be very effective in helping memory and patients with the onset of dementia. Having muscle mass as you age increases not only your strength but balance and maintain mobility. If you don’t use it you lose it.

If you are not comfortable going to a gym there are things you can do to help maintain muscle and balance at home. Buy yourself a set of weights and use them 2-3 times a week. They do not have to be heavy, just manageable. Regular use will build muscle, just make sure you are using them correctly. Make sure if you go to a gym that the trainer and or staff have knowledge about correctly designing plans that are age-appropriate, as it is not one size fits all when it comes to aging.

Balance can be kept up with or without the use of a chair. Practice balancing on one leg, if you can do it easily add movement to the balance such as lifting your arms above your head or closing your eyes. If your balance is not great practice with the use of a chair, and the more you practice the better it will get.

Mobility is a big factor. In yoga, we practice getting up off the floor without using our hands, from different levels. It is amazing the amount of people of all ages that cannot perform this task. 

I will have some video tutorials to show you easy ways to maintain your strength, balance and mobility.