Your Future Body, Your Best Investment
Every workout is a deposit you’re making for your retirement…you’re investing in your older, future body. I heard another coach say this during one of my spin classes this week, and as I continue to grow less concerned with making myself smaller and more invested in taking care of my body for quality aging and longevity, this really hit home.
Investing in our older, future bodies can look like so many different things, but here’s what I’m doing in the hopes that my coming decades allow me to be functional and live the life I love.
I’m strength training consistently. The activities I love doing,( hiking, pole dancing, paddleboarding), are all supported by strength training. We have tons of research available showing us that strength training not only supports virtually every sport and activity, but that it supports maintaining muscle mass, bone density, and joint mobility as we age.
I accept that I can’t do some exercises anymore, and I pivot in new directions. A couple years ago, I realized that advanced pole dancing no longer agreed with my body. I was leaving every practice session with aches and pains. I also developed plantar fasciitis for the third time in my life, and running or jumping a lot hurt too much to continue. But I’m not giving up on things I love. I pivoted my pole dancing style to focus on using the high stiletto heels on the floor instead of climbing the pole. I accepted that I’ve run my last race, but I keep a small amount of jumping in my workouts. I do miss these activities that were such a huge part of my life, but I’ve filled the absence with other fulfilling movements.
I include Balance and Getting Up From the Floor in my workouts. These are two skills that we notoriously lose as we get older, and for many people, are life saving abilities. If I practice keeping my balance, I’m less likely to fall. If I’m good at getting myself off the floor, I can get back up after a fall.
I’m getting my heart rate HIGH in workouts. Last year I noticed I was struggling on many of my hikes to make it up the steeper inclines. I couldn’t catch my breath. So I added in 2 workouts a week of high intensity tabata spin classes, and I’ve noticed a huge difference. I’m FLYING up the mountains now! I want my heart and lungs to stay strong as I age, and seeing an immediate reward, like an activity I love becoming easier, is a big motivator.
I’m maintaining my injuries and pain. I herniated a disc in my 20’s, and it still impacts me on a daily basis. Instead of accepting that chronic pain is part of my life, I do what I can to make sure it doesn’t get worse. I’ve worked with lots of doctors, physical therapists, and chiropractors over the years, and I know that movements like side planks, monster walks, and pallof presses keep my spine happy. Yes they’re boring, but I every time I do them I remind myself it’s a gift to my future back.
Just like there are many ways to invest your money for the future, there are many ways to invest your movement for your older body. There are many right answers to get this outcome, and doing anything is better than nothing!
I’d love to hear how you’re investing in your future, older body!