If people focus too much on their age, it can potentially cost them their quality of life. 

Want proof?

Something called mobility disability is a significant factor in losing our independence as we age. 

This week I read a shocking fact about the topic in The Journal of American Medical Association.

“Almost 1 in 4 women older than 65 years is unable to walk 2 to 3 blocks, and mobility disability is a key factor associated with loss of independence.”*

Buzz-kill!

Instead of focusing on your age, start to focus on how you can increase your quality of life. 

As they say, “age is just a number.”

What’s FUN got to do with it?

Fortunately, increasing “light-intensity physical activity has the potential to improve prospects for preserving mobility among older women.”**

The critical point is LIGHT-INTENSITY.  

People have been sold this idea for far too long that if you don’t go to the gym and workout for 60 minutes, it’s not enough.

So rather than inspire people to keep active and strong, it has the opposite effect because inactivity is the leading cause of lifestyle-related disease that affects 1.4 billion people on the planet.

Sadly, people look at working out as something we HAVE to do; I look at working out as something you GET to do.

It’s about life gain!

The reality as we age is that it’s about movement and not about “no pain, no gain.”  

We need to get back to the playground (WHATEVER THAT PLAYGROUND IS FOR YOU) and have fun. 

Why?  

So that you can:

Feel

Unbelievably

Nimble

As I discuss in Chapter Two of my book, The Play Book, How To Get In The Habit Of Good Health, finding an activity you can enjoy and sustain is critical.

And once you get there, work your way up to moderate-intensity.

Aaron E. Carrol, a professor at Indiana University School of Medicine, said it well: “Moderate intensity is probably much less than you think. Walking briskly, at 3 to 4 miles per hour or so, qualifies. So does bicycling slower than 10 miles an hour. Anything that gets your heart rate somewhere between 110 and 140 beats per minute is enough. Even vacuuming, mowing the lawn, or walking your dog might qualify.”**

The cool part is that you can progressively strengthen your heart and your muscles by manipulating the speed at which you move.  

Nothing fancy, no machines – your body is your machine!

Regardless of our age, when you understand that ALL MOVEMENT MATTERS– walking your dog, gardening, taking the stairs, parking your car further from the store, dancing in your kitchen – 150 min/week or 22 minutes a day of heart-pumping movement is what is required to keep healthy.  

And mobile!

Where to start?

What made you feel good as a kid? Here’s a link to a free assessment sheet you can download to brainstorm.

Getting into the habit of play is a catalyst for feeling good, and when you feel good, you eat better; when you eat better, you sleep better.

It’s a positive spiral for your mental and physical health because they go hand in hand.

It’s pretty simple. Have fun.  

Move and tap into what kinds of activity brings you the most joy. 

Now more than ever is the time to play.  

Please Look After Yourself!

Play on!

xo Coach Jan

P.S. Want to change your habits and have fun? 

• Sign up for my FREE 7 Days of Healthy Habits Course. Learn real-life, practical habits to incorporate quickly and efficiently starting now. 
• Grab a copy of my book, The Play Book: How To Get In The Habit Of Good Health
• To apply for coaching for yourself or your organization,  Click HERE to book a FREE Discovery Call, and let’s see if we are a good fit to work together.

*https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776720

**Carrol, Aaron E. “Closest Thing to a Wonder Drug? Try Exercise.” The New York Times, June 20, 2016. Accessed at: https://www.nytimes. com/2016/06/21/upshot/why-you-should-exercise-no-not-to-lose- weight.html