June is my birthday month, and I don't mind telling people, I am turning 54 this year. Now, depending on from which side you are approaching the mid-fifties, I am either a 'spring chicken' or 'Jurassic' material.
I am going with spring chicken, as I am hoping for a long life; at least another 30 years, and while I still feel quite young within myself, my body is definitely starting to let me know that we are no longer 25. I am not chasing youth, I am well passed youth, I know that, but I have found something more worthwhile and precious to pursue. Longevity with quality of life.
Since the 19th century, life expectancy has doubled (or more) in well-developed countries. People used to die around 35-40 years of age. Now add another 30-40 years on top, and it becomes clear that our bodies have to last and endure much more than ever before.
But here is the thing; our body undergoes changes as we age, which we cannot necessarily change or stop; our blood thickens and becomes harder to pump around the body. We start to lose muscle in our 40s, our ligaments get stiffer as we age, and our bones lose density, our reflexes and coordination tends to slow and we tend to sleep less as we get older, for example. I am certainly finding it harder to maintain my body in my 50s than I did in my 30s and 40s. But it's worth it.
While we can't stop the process, we can slow it. Many "losses" associated with aging are due to disuse. The less we move, the stiffer our joints get, and the less range they have. Our heart's pumping capacity decreases and its muscle stiffness increases, our lungs' oxygen uptake capacity decreases, our digestive system gets slower at emptying itself out, to name a few.
But we have an antidote. Prevention through movement! With movement joints get lubricated and become smooth with greater range, our heart muscle and vessels are being exercised and respond with increased capacity, and our digestive system gets more active. Exercise also decreases body fat, blood sugar, cholesterol, improves our sleep and mental health and improves our brain functions.
So instead of the appearance of youth, I am pursuing a strong body through regular movement and good nutrition, for a better chance at having a strong immune system, joints and muscles that are well aligned to prevent joint damage, with plenty of energy, endurance and strength to live life and do things, as I am growing older. I want to be strong enough to travel and have fun while I'm out and about, play with grand children on the floor and live independently in my own home in old age.
Joseph Pilates, the founder of the Pilates Method, had hoped his movement method would be taught in every school, so everyone would have a prevention toolkit to maintain their body and health. He saw how the times he lived in negatively influenced our bodies and wellbeing, and that was during the early 1920s. We are now in 2023 and things have changed a whole lot more for our bodies since.
So, if you want a strong, healthy body for the many years ahead, then make a start now, even if you are only in your 30s or 40s. Invest in yourself by prioritising self-care and find movement that you enjoy (so you keep doing it). If you need to change the way you eat, make one small change and build from there. One extra veggie, an extra glass of water, or one less chocolate bar or soda during the week. Everything adds up, counts and makes a difference.
For your movement, consider Pilates, tried and tested since the 1920s. It was designed to maintain a healthy body for functional movement, no fad that will be gone tomorrow. Low impact, with big results, strengthening the body in correct alignment, improving joint functionality and range of motion, a good antidote to stress, with its focus on calm, controlled movement and breath, to name a few of its benefits.
Lets practise "prevention is better than cure" and maintain our bodies for many healthy years to come.
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