How are you feeling as Christmas approaches and the Coronavirus continues to haunt our lives.

It’s more important than ever, as Winter approaches as well, that you keep yourself mentally and physically fit and healthy. 

When was the last time you had a DEXA scan to see how your bone density is doing? Did you know that 50% of women over 50 have Osteoporosis?  Do you know what the symptoms are?

  

Osteoporosis is a silent disease and, unless you get a DEXA scan to know your bone density, the first time you know you have it is when you fall and break a bone. 

 

Why wait until then?  

In addition to getting a scan, start strength training.  When you work your muscles the muscle contraction pulls on the bones and creates stronger bones.

Strength training not only helps to prevent Osteoporosis, but it can also assist in reversing bone loss.

Strong bones are not the only reason why you should strength train.

 

Muscles move our bones and give us mobility.  So it follows:  the weaker the muscles, the less our mobility. 

One of the major causes of loss of independence as you age is immobility where people don’t have the strength to get in and out of a chair.

 

Don’t let this happen to you.  Stay above the disability threshold.

You start to lose muscle mass at 40 and can lose .5%-1% of muscle mass per year.  By 70 you could have lost 30% of your muscle mass! 

Just 30 minutes 3 times a week can change your life.  Not just creating strong bones and better mobility. 

Other benefits include increased metabolism i.e. greater calorie burning (this was the main reason why I first started going to the gym back in the 1980’s), reduced risk of joint injuries, reduced risk of falling, more confidence and ability to carry on doing the things that we need to do, want to do and love to do as we age.

 

I couldn’t do all the things that I do now in my 70’s if it hadn’t been for regular strength training.

 

Get a Personal Trainer or join a Small Group Class.

 

One of the main causes of back pain is poor exercise technique.  It’s important that you choose appropriate exercises and learn how to execute them in a safe and effect way. 

 

Hiring a Personal Trainer or joining a Small Group class will be the best action you can take to ensure that 2021 will be your best year yet.