Let me at the outset get one thing out of the way, this is not intended at body shaming, nor is it a guide for any fitness regime. It is just my thoughts that I am putting together hoping to motivate you into what I think is a healthy habit.
Once I crossed 40, I started paying attention to the health habits of people around me, especially those who crossed their 70s and were leading an active and more importantly independent lives. They didn't seem very much into any special diets, nor were they going to the gym or investing in any fitness regimes. Most were eating balanced food and getting a moderate amount of exercise in the form of morning walks. Nothing drastic. A few of these active septuagenarians were not even into regular morning walks, but they were never idle. It was as if they had a spring in their step. Let me elaborate. Even when they were loitering around in the house, it was not the feet-dragging kind of movement but purposeful and strong strides. I guess that goes a long way. When your movements are brisk and active, even the trip from the couch to the refrigerator burns some calories and builds the crucial muscles. Another aspect was they didn't allow any pains to slow them down. Most of them revealed to me that at the first sign of knee/joint pain, instead of stopping, they just kept going, might be they slowed down a bit and cut down a bit in their walks but overall didn't let that pain deter them. They learned to stay active through the pain.
I feel that maintaining mobility is a very important part of being healthy. It doesn't matter how much you weigh, how much weight you can lift, or how fast you can run, at the end of the day what matters is how mobile is your body. How much in control are you of your body? Do you listen to your body or make it listen to you? As long as you are in control, age is just a number and disease just an inconvenience. The minute you lose control, both become a nightmare. What is a true indicator of physical wellbeing? Personally, I have two indicators - the ability to sit cross-legged on the floor and get up effortlessly and climb a flight of stairs without losing breath. I don't have any scientific theory backing my belief, but as long as I am able to do both, I feel fit.
We should keep all the muscles in our body engaged. How do we do that? Remember the morning drill we used to do in school? Those drills clearly work on all the muscle groups. A brisk walk and a few breathing exercises should be enough to stay fit for a lifetime. That and moving around a bit and sitting straight instead of plonking in front of the TV. Anything over and above that should be out of your interest and as a hobby, not a compulsion. I have nothing against gym, aerobics and other heavy fitness routines. I myself am into yoga and running, as most of you are aware. But I feel one shouldn't feel that it is the only way to stay fit.
Another mistake we make is when it comes to food. We think eating less is good. We think once we lose some weight our mobility will improve. Wrong. You need all food groups for a healthy body. Practice controlled eating, and try to have a balanced diet, all food groups are equally important. Don't let your body crave one more than another.
Please stay active and make mobility a habit when you can, you won't regret it.....
