Looking at the large majority of magazine covers you would not be alone if you thought the need to keep moving stopped in your mid-twenties. What you may not know is that moving does not have an age. The only time movement becomes irrelevant is when you are six feet under. I often say to the members in my group fitness classes that people often get there quicker because they stopped moving.
I am not saying you need to run marathons all your life and your body changes as you age with injuries and parts of your body not feeling the same they used to. The answer is to learn to listen to your body. This may mean not jumping or running anymore but this does not remove all the types of exercises you can do.
Try low impact options in cardio classes or choosing a class which is only low impact like cycle. I always say that if you are moving and off your butt you are beating most of the population who will not even do that today. This century there will be children dying younger than their parents due to lifestyle choices. How old you are in years means nothing to how old your body is on the inside and how it is functioning. Growing older with quality of life is the goal.
Take home message: Aging with function means learning about the different ‘bodies’ you develop as you grow older. It is not a failure if you must change the way you move but a form of respect to adapt to meet the needs of your body as you age. You have the choice and power to maintain your function and strength as you get older. After all who wants to be fit for just a few years when you could live the life you want with the function you want throughout your whole life!
