What LIFE-ing & Aging Have in Common
Want More Passion (Love of self, others, community), Purpose (Your calling, professionally and personally), and Play (Zest & Hope) in Your Life?
Get curious…what are the stories you are buying into about aging?
When you look in the mirror, are there automatic negative thoughts that pop into your conscious awareness?
What if those negative thoughts are just past programming?
Do you think 50 is old? Is 60 old? Is 70 old? Is 80 old? What if we flip the script and said FRACK NO; and instead, practiced Positive Aging, y’all?!
Dr. Dan Ritchie, Co-Founder and President of the Functional Aging Institute, says we need to rethink how we look at aging. Old isn’t a number!
Dr. Ritchie says aging isn’t the bad guy…it is secondary aging (issues that arise as we get older). Our health gets worse because we stop being as active as we can be, setting goals, and enhancing our functional longevity.
We need to stop confusing illness with the process of aging and ask instead: what can we do and what do we want to do? We also need to to look critically at the messages society and commercials bombard us with, daily!
“How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you was?” -Satchel Paige
According to research, we are responsible for how we age…genetics only accounts for 25% of the aging process!
Think about it, there are 28 million Traditionalists or Silent Generation (seniors), 76 million Baby Boomers, and 64 million Gen Xers (already turning or over 50)…and our life expectancy continues to increase!
So what can you do?
· We need to refocus. Get moving, add in strength and resistance training, and functional exercises, based on our goals and physical or cognitive challenges we may have.
· Assess where you are at (and/or work with a specialist or trainer that understands functional aging); and then look at what you’d like to be able to do.
· Develop a plan that challenges you to get outside your comfort zone and is realistic. Think about what might get in the way and how to address it. Then take small, consistent steps towards that goal.
“Aging is not a disease that needs to be cured.” -Marc Middleton
Say it with me:
Aging is a natural experience…can be a positive experience…can be healthy...can be functional…
Aging can be adventurous…can be social…can be relational…can be productive…can be creative!
If you want to enjoy improved quality of life, mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, at any age; then start looking at the stories/assumptions you are telling yourself about age.
Your cognitive brain and physical functional health (which includes learning something new and cognitive challenges to build neuroplasicity, regular movement, balance, flexibility, and strength/resistance training) are critically important!
Next time you notice that automatic negative thought about aging…counter it with:
“I love and accept myself as I am now…I am LIFE-ING!”
Flip the script on aging and live the best quality of life you can, so you can enjoy, be, and do what you are passionate about!
We are our energy…not our age, y’all!
“I like to say the word, ‘LIFE-ING’ instead of aging” -Pamela Anderson
Photos:
-Hiking with my parents (HerGrace and SirPilot)
-Kickboxing Instructors, Paula and me, both over age 50
-Rock Steady Boxers, ranging in age from 50s - 80s, participating in Rock Steady Boxing (Boxing for People with Parkinson’s Disease)
-#Rachel, age 95, in her happy place dancing Zumba (dance fitness) with #RinaZumbaZin
-Morgan Family YMCA Zumba Gold Crew (low impact dance fitness) having fun dancing and community
#Aging #FunctionalAging #FAI #lifeing #ChangeYourHabits #ChangeYourLife #weareourenergynotourage #stepintohappy #zumba #heroic #BeHeroic #PassionPurposePlay