Staying Capable in your 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's and beyond.

• Lift heavy things more often. You want to be able to lift your carry-on luggage into the overhead bin on flights, so practice lifting heavy things more often.

• Get low to the ground and get up again. Get into flexible positions and do "stretchy" things more often. The more you squat deep to the ground, the better mobility you will maintain as you age. Next time you clean your bathtub, think about how you do that.

• Do some body movement EVERY SINGLE DAY. If you only have 20 minutes to spare, get outside and climb stairs, go for a walk or find a park bench and do planks/push ups. Even better, if you can grab a friend to join you!

  
  

  Put the effort in now, because it's worth it and your body will thank you when you're in your 70's and 80's.

  
  

  Easy Add ons:

• Don't circle around driving, looking for a close parking spot to your intended location. Park as far away as you can and walk.

• Take the Stairs. Every opportunity you have, skip the elevator and take the stairs (this will quickly become a habit)

• Do your own household work. We live in an age of convenience, however those that continue to do their own household tasks, stay more mobile. So, get outside and shovel for yourself and your neighbours, and rake your own leaves.

• Balance. Simply put, if you don't use it, you will lose it. Practice balancing on one foot every chance you get. Brushing your teeth nightly on one foot is very easy to make into a habit.

  
  

  

  
  

  There are no short cuts in life. We have to move our bodies continually to feel and be capable as we age.