Strength exercises for older adults and why it’s important.
The Background | Our One Acre Slice of the Garden of Eden
I spent 38 years behind a desk. Not all of it was behind a desk, mind you, but very sedentary overall. Economic circumstances forced a move in early 2023. My wife, Penelope, and I bought an acre of land on Canada’s east coast.
Back in the city, Penelope and I always had a postage-stamp sized garden in the back yard. We so enjoyed having fresh beans, tomatoes, peppers, herbs and other veggies on the supper table. In addition having a garden, for me anyway, was enjoyable from the standpoint of planting a seed and watching nature’s magic unfold.
When we took possession of our one acre slice of the Garden of Eden out here in western New Brunswick, naturally, one of the first things we did was till up a little garden. We’re located in what is called the Appalachian Highlands here in the Upper St. John River Valley in Western New Brunswick. The soil is very rocky here so digging up that garden wasn’t easy. The roto-tiller that I had bit the dust early on. But we got it done.
Our property was a bit overgrown when we arrived so that was another item on the agenda. I did a little clearing to push back the overgrowth. In short, unlike the life I used to live, it’s very physical out here.
Maintaining the garden and the grounds takes a bit of effort! I lost about 30 pounds in the process. It got to the point where none of the pants I brought with me fit anymore! I had to buy a new pair of pants!
Here’s a pic of me mowing the lawn. It was bug season when Penelope took this photo hence the mosquito netting. Below is a pic of the hugelkulture raised gardens we’re building for next season’s planting.
I was a world-class athlete as a youth but that was a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. I realized, when I had to get physical again at the age of 70, how much I had forgotten about the benefits of being in shape.
The take-away from this abrupt turn of events for me is a very fortunate lesson learned. It is said that you’re only as young as you feel. Getting physical again was, for me, an unplanned but very fortunate circumstance. I feel better physically than I have in decades! Physical fitness can, and often does, translate into mental, emotional and spiritual fitness! Thankfully, I am also realizing those benefits as well.
We also have two young dogs and we walk them twice every day. Walking, especially out in nature, is an excellent form of exercise. It is low-impact and low-stress but, at the same time yields benefits to your cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Beyond that, a walk out in nature relieves stress and allows you to connect with all that is.
The Golden Years
The golden years can, and should, be the best years of our lives. The dramatic change in our personal lifestyle has inspired me to create this platform. There is a key to making the golden years your best years and that key is this. To the extent possible, health and wellness should be a top priority.
That statement, on the surface, seems to be pretty obvious. Of course everyone wants to be healthy and well. But, to ensure that we stay healthy and well requires a little effort on our part. Staying physically active is a key.
I hope you will stay with me as we explore the keys to unlocking the joys of fitness as we move into our ’70’s and ’80’s. The content here is not limited to the benefits of physical fitness but, rather, encompasses all that it means to be healthy and well.
Let’s Get Physical!
The importance of physical fitness is not restricted to those who are young. I daresay that fitness assumes greater importance as we get older for a number of very important reasons. We will explore those reasons in subsequent posts. For now let’s just say that, at least in part, the quality of our lives depends on being as fit as we can.
How do we approach the subject of physical fitness after the age of fifty? or sixty? or beyond? That is the question that is a focus of this platform. Physical fitness is just one of the pillars that support overall health and wellness as we journey into our Golden Years!
Other Topics
In exploring what it means to be healthy and well, we will look at numerous aspects of what it means to be healthy and well. A sense of purpose, for example, is a key to maintaining, direction, joy and vitality. A sense of community is important since we are all, by nature, social beings.
Learning new things can keep us mentally focused and sharp. Passing to the young the benefits of a lifetime of experience can be incredibly rewarding! The golden years can, for many of us, be an opportunity to explore interests we had in by-gone days but didn’t have the time to pursue.
I hope this content resonates with you and that you’ll accompany us on this exciting voyage of discovery. If you’d like to be notified of updates to the content published here enter your first name and best email in the form below. I look forward to the dialogue!
Grant Rayner
Today’s Tip: Immune System Supplements – Do They Work?
Here’s a link to a post I did reviewing two of what, in my opinion, are the premier immune system supplements on the market. Hope you find this helpful–>