Muscles
I always knew muscles were a good thing. So, not being able to find my quadricep muscles—even when I grasped my thigh while contracting the muscles as hard as I could—really bothered me. It’s not that I was totally neglecting my musculoskeletal system. It was 2016. I had been dealing with arthritis for a few years and was two years out from a hip replacement. I had found that swimming 2-3 times a week helped me a great deal with endurance and walking. But, I still had occasional pain, and, worse, I was weak, had osteoporosis, and was not doing the weight-bearing exercises that could help me.
Around this time, as part of my ongoing professional education, I attended a medical conference at Harvard called “Lifestyle Medicine, Tools for Promoting Healthy Change.” This popular conference is designed to instruct and motivate all kinds of healthcare providers on ways to better help their patients and themselves effect healthy change. We, as participants, were challenged to commit to making one specific change in our own habits, regarding diet, exercise sleep, weight loss, or stress management. We had to write it down and turn it in. I wrote down “start weight training.”
Upon returning home, I went to my gym and immediately signed up with a personal trainer. I was to see Bryan weekly and work out on my own 2 other times each week. My training guide from the first session in May 2016 describes a brief warm-up and included: box squats, which were difficult; seated shoulder presses holding a 6 lb. ball; side raises, dumbbell curls, front step-ups with dumbbell front raises—all with 2.5 lb. dumbbells. Bryan and the other trainers have been encouraging and patient. They understand I have to listen to my body and go slowly.
The results? Now, almost 3 years later, I can see and feel my quadricep muscles, but even more importantly, I just feel energized, walk more smoothly, have a stronger core, and experience much less pain. I can kneel down on one knee and get up again without holding on, which I couldn’t do before. I go to the gym 3 times a week for 1 hour and see Bryan twice monthly. My workout varies, including body weight exercises (planks, bridges, wall sits) and various machines and weights. I like using glider discs to do various exercises such as mountain climbers. To avoid injury, I advance slowly and back off if anything hurts.
The physical benefits of strength training are many, including stronger bones, improved quality of life, and help with managing weight, osteoporosis, arthritis and many other chronic diseases. Next year, when I get my bone density scan, I’ll find out if my osteoporosis is improving…I’m betting yes.
Exercise helps the mind as well as the body. It improves attitude, lessens depression, and enhances self-efficacy. If a magic pill was available that could do all this, you’d probably pay good money for it!
One more thing, strength training for seniors greatly reduces the risk of falling. Three of my friends in the neighborhood have fallen in the last 6 months.
Check out the photos of Bryan and me at the gym at the end of this post.
Next Steps
Challenge Yourself at Home
You might be interested in the free 21-day exercise challenge called the Magic Pill. A great book about exercise is Younger Next Year. See Resources for information on this book and other references. Or, read about a great exercise program in my neighborhood called Fit for Christ or follow them on Facebook.
Find Group Fitness Near You
If you haven’t heard about the terrific international program called Park Run, check it out. In most areas, you can find a group that meets every Saturday morning for a 5K timed walk or run, both which are great weight-bearing exercises. A group meets in College Park, MD, very near to my home.Check out the Institute of Lifestyle Medicine
If you are a healthcare provider of any type, consider attending their annual conference.
If you only have 10 minutes…
Walk or run or exercise on your living room rug for just 10 minutes every day
Write down the one step you will commit to today—then just start
Google “strength training programs free”
Take a Prayerful Moment
Dear God, Help me to honor the body and mind that you have given me. Help me to find peace and self-compassion regarding where I am starting from. Guide me as I take one step toward better health starting today. Let me grow closer to you in the process. Amen.
God bless.
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Dr. Donna Chacko promotes health of body, mind, and spirit through her website (serenityandhealth.com), her blog, and programs at her church. She is the author of the award-winning book and Amazon best-seller Pilgrimage: A Doctor’s Healing Journey (Luminare Press, 2021). You can read her full bio here.