Growing old is not something we’re looking forward to but it happens regardless of our desires. Some people can hardly wait to retire and spend the rest of their lives looking after their grandchildren and pets or traveling around the world.
Others, on the contrary, cannot grasp the fact that they no longer have a job and that the wrinkles they see every day in the mirror are only going to get deeper. Regardless of their desires, life goes on and their bodies start to feel weaker.
Losing mobility never comes easy, especially for those who used to be active in their youth years and can’t stay in one place for too long. If you too fall into this category, perhaps these simple tips will help you improve your mobility and make amends with this new stage of your life.
- Work on your balance
The first thing you should do is write down a list with your goals and achieve them as soon as you can, without neglecting your body and your health. Perhaps it would be best to start by being more active daily and tossing away your walker, even if finding a good one took you some time.
Focusing on your balance implies doing some hip and core exercises as well as engaging in some outdoor activities like riding a bike or a horse. However, you don’t want to push your limits from the beginning, so we advise you to talk to your physician first. You don’t want to risk injuring yourself just for the sake of being able to go to the bingo night on your own.
- Make your place more “senior-friendly”
The second you admit you are not getting any younger you can stop feeling sorry about yourself and adjust to your new life. It may take some time to let go but you should look after your health even more if you want to avoid injuries and live for many years from now on.
That being said, you should consider moving to a one-story home or living downstairs so you won’t have to climb the stairs on a regular basis. You should also consider getting rid of any furniture that might make you trip, fall, and injure yourself.
Rails and ramps are also a good idea until you’re back on your feet again.
- Look after your health
Another thing you can do is maintain a healthy weight, without adding the pressure of those extra pounds on your feet and ankles.
Keep in mind that a sedentary lifestyle leads to overweight and obesity, especially after a certain age. In order to avoid that, you need to make sure you eat healthier and exercise as little but as often as possible. Talk to your doctor or a nutritionist before starting any diet and keep in mind that the goal is to lose a few pounds, not to starve yourself or cause more damage to your health.
You may have to cut down on sugary beverages and desserts, extra salt in your food, as well as processed foods, bread, and even dairy products. What you can eat is light meat (chicken, turkey, fish, seafood), fruits, vegetables, and nuts. You can still treat yourself with your guilty pleasures once in a while as long as you stick to a meal plan.
Keep in mind that losing as little as 10 pounds in a healthy manner and over the course of a few months can dramatically improve your mobility and balance.
Supplements also represent a good idea, especially those with collagen, fish oils, and calcium. These substances will strengthen your bones and increase your mobility in time.
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