December 18, 2021 “It’s not too late!”
Got high blood pressure? It’s not too late. Have a weak core? It’s not too late. A1c keeps elevating? It’s not too late. Weigh more than you ever have? It’s not too late. Ending the year and didn’t reach your 2021 New Year’s resolutions. It’s not too late.
If it's been a long time since you've exercised or haven’t been consistent and you're feeling less than fit, you might think that it's too late to make a change. But you're wrong. You can improve your fitness at any age and at any time.
There is hope, so don’t give up! Even people 100 years old or older can build muscle strength. With that said, there are some limits to how much you can progress. Workouts aren't going to turn someone in their 80s, 90s or 100s into someone who is 40 or 50 years old, but most people can get stronger and improve their endurance. So, it is important to set realistic goals.
Often the barrier that keeps people from moving as much as they should is mental. Some people assume, 'Well, I'm 60, I can't lift that, (they must not have seen Mr. Ed our 68-year-old client that just killed our mini holiday bootcamp with perfect attendance). Or I can't go roller skating or bike riding, because I'm too old (We just brought my 73-year-old mom a new bike this last year and she started to relive her childhood). Those who say they can't, aren’t hindered because they physically are unable to, but because they've made the decision that they can't mentally.
The words “I can’t” are used so much by people trying to get back into shape that I had to make it part of my bootcamp rules. I ask clients to not say “I can’t, but to say I’ll try.” The phrase “I can’t’” makes me cringe because I just wish people could see the potential, I see in them. Most people think they must be as great as they were 10 years ago or even last year. We all go through things, and it is always okay to start over. It is not okay to quit or stop trying. And when you do start over, take it slow, listen to your body, and enjoy the journey of getting your mojo back.
If you don’t like how you feel, how your body looks, or you if you are on a lot of medications, things will only get worse if you don’t start somewhere and start soon. Waking up and moving your muscles is the goal and consistency is the key. Remember, if you don't start moving and getting active your fitness level will stay the same or get worse. Your body adapts to the degree to which you push it. So, IT’S NOT TOO LATE, to push past your mental block and start focusing on improving your physical ability. Let me tell you, regardless of where you are your physically, you are No Mess.
