What does ageing look like? Sometimes we think it’s inevitable that we lose all muscle mass, end up a little soft around the middle and not able to move so well. It may also seem pretty normal that a few medications in the cupboard are just a part of the process. As I get older, I want to make sure that I can do anything that I can to ensure that I can have a good quality of life as I age. I don’t want to think that there is a time that I can’t care for myself. Maybe that time does come, but I want to do whatever I can to make that as short as possible. I have often wondered how much “nature vs. nurture” affects us. Were some just born to age better? While I believe that nature does play a role, I also think that nurture plays a bigger role. Think of your body as this house. On the left, you didn’t clean regularly or keep up with the yard. You didn’t care for it and just let tme and the elements take its tole. The house on the right, well, you did your yard work, regular maintenance, cared for it and stayed on top of up-keep. Just like the house, the same can be said for people.
Let me introduce you to “Uncle Stan”. I met Stan (Jason’s Uncle) about 20 years ago. Jason spoke very highly of this “cool” uncle that was fitter than him. They would get together for a week each summer just to do a LOT of fitness together. There were so many fond stories and I was a little nervous and curious to see this guy. Jason is pretty fit, so I was interested to see the man he struggles to keep up with. Here’s why I was a little scared. I was also very active, but didn’t want to ‘race’ every time I went for a run. Sometimes, I just wanted to sweat a little and clear my head. I was scared that I would be “chasing these elite athletes” all weekend long.
Turns out, it is always awesome to hang out with Stan. You see, for him it was always about experiencing activities with people, share in the experience. It wasn’t intimidating, just an adventure with a lot of smiles and laughs. I was amazed at how much he didn’t care about what the activity was or who came along, just smile and try your best and you are guaranteed to have a great time.
Stan was ahead of the times and eating “clean” and paleo before that was a thing. He has spent his life sharing his love of sport with all those around him. As a CGEP (college in Quebec) PhysEd teacher, he inspired many to make healthier choices and show them that they can find something that they like to do.
The reason that I bring Stan up today is because I think he is an incredible example of what healthy aging can look like. He has consistently eaten a healthy and well-balanced diet. He limits alcohol consumption and exercises regularly. He is always learning and playing new sports. He chose a career that he was passionate about and surrounded himself with like-minded people. In his 60’s now, he surly doesn’t look like an average “old guy”. He is vibrant and smiling and full of life. I would argue that his choices over his lifetime – his “consistency over time” is why he is able to enjoy the quality of life that he does. It is because of his CHOICES, not “good genetics” or because “he’s lucky”, it’s because when others were heading out for happy hour drinks, he was heading out for a paddle on the river, a bike ride, a run, or a CrossFit WOD. Instead of staying up late and consuming empty calories on alcohol and take-out food, he was choosing to fuel his body with nutritious options that he prepared in order to make sure that it could keep doing the things he loves to do.
I remember once when he bought a more expensive bike and someone had made a comment about it. His response was that it was his RRSP investment. So many sock cash away, but he bought a bike that he would use and enjoy so that in his “golden years”, he can enjoy the saved money.
There were some cool studies that I read recently about long-term exercise and the benefits on aging. Professor Stephen Harridge, Director of the Centre of Human & Aerospace Physiological Sciences at King's College London, said: "The findings emphasise the fact that the cyclists do not exercise because they are healthy, but that they are healthy because they have been exercising for such a large proportion of their lives.
"Their bodies have been allowed to age optimally, free from the problems usually caused by inactivity. Remove the activity and their health would likely deteriorate."
I own a CrossFit gym and have found that is the best way for me to get my fitness in on a daily basis. I used to be able to go for long runs or hikes, play volley-ball, etc. But, after having kids, I don’t have that much “free time”. So, for me, CrossFit gives me what I need. Not everyone loves CrossFit and that’s OK. The great thing is that there is a whole world to explore with TONS of ways you can move your body and stay active.
"Find an exercise that you enjoy in whatever environment that suits you and make a habit of physical activity. You will reap the rewards in later life by enjoying an independent and productive old age."
The other good news is that it’s not too late. If we go back to the house analogy – you can do a big renovation. It might take a while and a lot of blood, sweat and tears, but you could make it beautiful and like new. Same thing goes for your body, just because you have been sedentary and eating poorly for years doesn’t mean that you can’t make a change today to make you healthier. Call it your full body renovation. You have the choice and the power to make a difference in how you age. Make the choice to be your best self!
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releas…/2018/…/180308143123.htm
https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/…/does-exercise-slow-the-ag…/