Hey Gooders,
As you approach another new decade, how should your workouts change, if at all? I didn't think about this too much going into my 40s but in my 50s, everything changed.
I can't tell you what shifted but in January of this year, I turned 50 and my knees started to bother me. After x-rays, MRIs and PT on both knees (I have arthritis and uneven hips that exacerbate my knee pain), I felt that my fitness career was coming to a halt. It was kind of devastating because I love working out and I love my job. Personal training to me isn't just about me giving workouts to my clients. We form a bond and we trudge through life together as we squat, push, pull, etc.
For a few months, I had to really pull back on my training. I've never experienced chronic pain before but now my knees were hurting all the time, even while sleeping. I couldn't bend my knees and I couldn't walk too much. I did what I could but the pain was getting to me.
After finding the right PT (a lot of manual tissue release!) and home PT (foam rolling, Hypervolt gun, stretching, strengthening), I finally feel a bit better. I can even jump rope without pain. I've been pushing myself a little more as my knees allow and guess what? I mentally and physically feel better!
The conclusion I came to is this. Regardless of age, you have to push yourself and keep moving. If you stop, you drop, as my 70 year old client Jill told me. Workouts don't have to look like you have one foot in the grave. You can get stronger at any age, I believe that wholeheartedly! I have a lot of older clients and they are getting stronger. Their balance is getting better. They look and move 10+ years younger than they are!
I know some things will need adjusting and that's okay. But you can lift heavier. You can run/walk longer. You can stretch a little further. If you only have 10 minutes, move! 10 minutes of movement can make a difference. Don't come to a standstill because as you get older, it gets so much harder to get started again. So keep the engine revving.
Thanks for reading. My hope is that everyone makes movement a lifestyle habit.
Xx, Essie