The Health Team asked you what you do to “Use It or Lose It.”
HERE’S WHAT YOU SAID
“We all know that moving more is a great notion in health and fitness, and often that means taking the stairs. This is me on the 365-step staircase in our town, Pollensa, in Spain, getting my steps in. It also shows that getting fit does not necessarily require spandex.” Cecily
Cecily also let us know that she started geocaching which provides hours outside and many, many steps!
“I accept that I will never be as active as when I was younger but I know some activity is necessary to stay mobile.” Julia
Julia took mobility to a whole new level by challenging the FAWCO community to get fit with her in a Total Body Workout for March that is still going in July! With a quick 30 min Zoom class Julia has been keeping a whole group of us moving!
“I am wearing my red shoes today! It is a public holiday and was a beautiful morning. We walked to the market and I thought, ‘time for the red shoes to come out.’ And had a few very amused looks at my shoes. It is not something that many Belgians would do! I bought the shoes in a little seaside town called Paternoster; it is a fishing village about 145 km north of Cape Town. The shoes are called veldskoene, directly translated to ‘field shoes.’ They were first made by the Khoisan, an indigenous group of southern Africa. You are not supposed to wear them with socks. They are as comfortable as a pair of old, well-worn slippers. Staying active as I get older is becoming more important to me and I want to maintain the ability to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible.” Tharien
What better reason to get your red shoes on and get out and move it!
“At the beginning of lockdown, I did nothing. Everything got canceled from one day to the next, so I waited for life to go back to normal. Well, we all know that didn’t happen. I sat at home getting lazier, my balance got worse and I ate too many snacks. Something had to change! I started walking. Twice a week for about an hour with two different friends. I took part in online activities: tap dance three times a week, Zumba with Anne Marie, all-around exercises with Julia and now walking across the USA with the AWC. I work in my allotment garden as often as I can. I count my steps every day and try to get in more steps by doing errands. Lastly, I do my shopping on foot. I do all this because I am not getting any younger. I will be 60 in December, and I have noticed that when I don’t keep active my body loses muscle mass and my balance gets crappy. Both scary states.” Susan
“Keeping fit has been my life-long interest – nobody gets old overnight! Conjure up the painting of Whistler’s Mother….
Joining our exercise group (online) at a specific time on weekday mornings is perfect for me to get moving; they’re also expecting me … and that’s motivation in itself! ‘Use it or lose it’ and ‘You are what you eat’ are my fitness mottos. Keeping my weight within a specific limit is de rigueur; I have no intentions of buying a new wardrobe simply because I’m a ‘foodie’ and love to eat … but I don’t get enough exercise.” Carol
‘USE IT OR LOSE IT’ SURVEY RESULTS
“USE IT OR LOSE IT” – WHICH STATEMENT BEST DESCRIBES THIS SLOGAN?
WISDOM – WHAT HELPS YOU REMAIN ACTIVE?
- Staying connected with friends and family!!!
- Knowing that our bodies are made to move, and only I can do the job of moving my body.
- Even a little bit every day is better than nothing. Just 10 minutes of stretching can really help my well-being on a busy day. I also make a point of taking stairs instead of elevators whenever possible and walking or biking instead of driving if weather and time allow.
- Staying active as I get older is becoming more important to me and I want to maintain the ability to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible.
- I’ve always walked and hiked, but never every day. I just finished a 30-day, 10,000 step challenge that allowed me to explore from my house in all directions in a more mindful way. Plus, I’ve connected one-on-one with friends (we were only allowed to have a maximum of two together), and walking and talking deepens connections. It’s been win/win and kept me from being stuck behind my desk getting grumpier and grumpier.
- Getting up and being active makes you feel good. I usually walk/jog early mornings before most people are up (6 am) to meditate, enjoy the empty streets and appreciate the seasons and nature.
- Meeting a friend for accountability!
- I have committed to 15 minutes of yoga daily with the same routine and I find that once I’m on the mat I’m up for much more than 15 minutes. I am flexible and want to maintain that with yoga. But get distracted at home. Other things to do. I watch loads of YouTube videos on various aspects of health while I work out at home – very motivating! I am also listening to audiobooks while out walking; a good plot can keep me going.
- If I don’t want to be overweight and tired I MUST include fitness in my lifestyle.
- Studies in senior living facilities have shown that even women who have never exercised before can still benefit from beginning, at any age!
- I think it’s important to keep a fit body and mind in order to appreciate and experience your best life.
- A desire to look good, and to be able to get into the same clothes that I wore more than 30 years ago. (I’m also a fan of using things until they absolutely fall apart and can’t be repaired.)
MOST POPULAR FITNESS ACTIVITIES DURING LOCKDOWN
- Walking – 92%
- Yoga – 55%
- Online fitness classes – 54%
- Hiking and biking – tied at 37%
- Jogging – 33%
LIFE-CHANGING MOMENTS THAT INFLUENCED YOU TO GET ACTIVE
The question is: have you all started something that you will keep up? Do you have a story to share? Enjoy your fitness and make sure you are using it before you lose it! Email with your healthy at any age story. Decade of Health Aging