The 3 pillars to longevity (part 3/3)
Okay, so we have discussed 2 out of the 3 things we need to focus on to live our best lives well into our 60's, 70's and 80's.
Cardiovascular health - read it here
Strength training - read it here
Today I want to discuss the 3rd - MOBILITY.
Mobility is my new focus as I approach my 49th birthday (this month). Without spending 20-30 minutes every single day on mobility- I suffer. If I do it, I don't suffer...it's that simple.
I've learned this the hard way, and haven't always practiced what I preached. I program a warm up, cool down, and talk about the importance of mobility all the time to my clients in my Strong Bodies Program. But it wasn't until I started to feel back, knee and neck pain that I started to realize I wasn't actually invincible, and needed to adjust my priorities. Strength has always been my focus, but now, if I only have 30 minutes to train, mobility is what I choose to do. It has been a difficult mindset shift, but the best thing I have done in years.
Having mobility allows you to get up off the bed, the toilet, couch etc, and generally move around with no pain. Unfortunately, most people don't realize this before it is too late.
I was almost there.
Flexibility and mobility are not the same thing. Flexibility is how long you can lengthen a muscle by holding it. Mobility is your ability to move while the muscle is in that lengthened state, and is improved through dynamic stretches. Think moving your body while your muscles feel stretched, while gradually moving into a deeper stretch throughout. This type of stretch improves speed, strength, and agility so should be done at all ages, not just as you age.
There you have it! The three pillars for living a long and amazing life - happy heart through conditioning, happy muscles with the help of strength AND MOBILITY.
Will they guarantee I live to be 100? No - but it will make sure I live as many years I am alive as well I can.
Why not know you can make a difference in your quality of life by adding these three pillars?