If you’re following me or have been engaged with me for some time now then you know that my tagline Move Better, Feel Better, Do More is at the center of my approach.
This tagline focuses on some of the fundamental tenets of human longevity and that is our ability to move.
Movement is life and what I’ve noticed as I’ve aged and through the observation of others is that we “feel old” when we are unable to move well and feel constrained. My goal has been to help people break free of constraints and learn how to better managed the movement components of the aging process.
When my father passed due to a massive hemorrhagic stroke, I began to think deeper about what I’m providing for my clientele and where I fit within the lives of people. I began to realize that taking care of our physical movement segment of our life is an important based, but that how our internal systems are working needs more tuning up.
I often talk to my clients about the peripheral health indicators, but more often than not, most people show up on my doorstep because they’ve been doing with a limitation that no one has been able to help them with.
Our Limitations have a huge impact on whether we move or not
If we are not moving much, we can find our health spiraling out of control.
I reflect back on my father complaining about his knee and continuing to say that he couldn’t go to the gym to do cardio until his knee was better. I also recall arranging an appointment for him to see my colleague to have it checked out, because he wouldn’t accept my advice. I recall him not seeing my colleague for it despite the open invitation and that led to nearly 4 years of activity decline.
He moved around for sure. He was independent. He went to Costco, did a variety of things, but he certainly did nothing to train his cardiovascular system or maintain strength. This allowed for an environment where Atherosclerotic disease (cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular disease) and Diabetes could run amuck.
Having high blood pressure, taking medications and coupling that with diabetes is a recipe for disaster.
It was also frustrating to see a parent eat fatty takeout and very little vegetables in the midst of all of this. Part of me feels like I should’ve done more, but the other part of me didn’t want to be the child constantly lecturing a parent in older age who just wants to YOLO.
It’s a tough spot to be in and I kick myself for not doing more, while also understanding that people have to take a certain amount of personal responsibility for their actions.
As I’ve come out of the fog of deep mourning; a mourning that I don’t think a person can ever overcome, I decided that I’ve got to do more to take an overall longevity approach towards my coaching and the educational information I provide for both my clients and in this space.
Movement is a very important aspect of our health for sure.
One could argue that Movement is the bedrock for all the other aspects of our longevity.
However, we have to pay much more attention to other indicators.
My dad did all the screens that men should do for colon and prostate. I admit I can do a better job of this too especially now that I’m past my mid 40’s heading to 50.
But if we truly want a higher quality of life and longevity we have to look at a broader picture.
We must look at aerobic health. That means finding and taking a VO2 Max Test in our areas.
We must look at body composition. That means finding and having a DEXA scan to find out our body mass, body fat, muscle mass, and bone density.
We must get our blood labs done. Request that you get your bloodwork done annually even if you don’t believe you’re diabetic. And we must find ways to monitor blood sugar so that we can have an idea how foods affect us personally.
We also must not forget that Cognitive Disease is also a part of the game and not only does that mean we must continue to learn, but the science tells us that remaining active also contributes to mitigation of cognitive decline.
I talk often about Point A within the context of Mobility Training. It’s now time to talk about Point A with regards to our current overall status.
I hope you will joint me as we broaden the scope by which this conversation will continue.
I’m excited to move in this direction.
If you are local to the San Francisco Bay Area
Please reach out as I have secured a special offer to help those of you in my community get VO2 Max and DEXA scanning done at a reasonable price.