Older adult personal fitness clients increase strength and lose body fat!!!

As you may or may not be aware, I am a "Movement Re-Educator".  In other words, I help people break poor movement habits and re-learn how to move more efficiently.  When your body moves "efficiently", more muscle fibers are working and daily tasks require less effort.  Less work means you feel better, have more energy, and reduce your risk of a fall.   Not to mention, burn more calories which means you can occasionally indulge without guilt!

I work part-time at 24 Hour Fitness in Gold River, CA to help people of all ages reach their fitness goals.  Most of my clients are mid-60s and older and are dedicated to living life at it's fullest!  Everyone has different goals but the majority want to increase strength, improve balance, reduce pain and just feel better!

This week, I re-tested two clients to see if their workouts are helping them reach their goals.
Client #1, a 65-year old woman, lost a total of 4 inches of fat, mostly around her belly button and 2 inches below her belly button!!!!  Woo-hoo!  She met with me consistently twice a week for 6 weeks.

Her body is not only tighter but she is also moving better.  Even though she is on her feet all day at work, she reports less pain and her customers are starting to comment on how much younger she looks and asking how much weight she's lost.

Client #2 is an 82-year old gentleman who was 'sedentary' for about a year and hates getting old!  He is a former athlete and has always been "on top of his game" however persons in their 80s lose muscle mass much quicker than younger peers.  Even though he only came to see me once a week, he lost 3% body fat and reports that he "sees muscle definition again" in his thighs (our fall prevention muscles).  He did 2 more chair stands in 30 seconds and gained 1 inch in lower body flexibility.   Way to go, Bob!!!

I hope that you truly understand that it's never too late to improve your fitness; strength, balance, flexibility and endurance, not to mention your posture!  The first, and most important, step is to learn what you need to do and then get active.

If you're in the Sacramento region, I invite you to attend one of my Fall Prevention 101 workshops or enroll in one of my FallProof™ balance and mobility training sessions.  I offer them monthly at FIT4U in Carmichael, CA.  Visit my website: www.thefallpreventionlady.com for schedules.
If you prefer 1:1 training, come see me at 24 Hour in Gold River.

If you're not close to me, be patient!  I am developing an internet-based program that you will be able to follow in the comforts of your home so you can stay at home!!!

Self discipline and Fall Prevention

I recently suffered a major disappointment in my professional pathway and I found myself in a bad place:   a pity party and no one was invited.  Yes, it's true, life is full of setbacks and how we cope with those disappointments not only forms our character but also determines our future. 

If you listen to the negativity, you begin to believe the trash and your actions follow accordingly.   For instance, if your doctor attributes a recent fall to "getting old" and states that falls are a normal part of aging,  you'll start believing that falls are inevitable and you won't do anything about your physical being.

I am here to tell you that falls are not a normal part of the natural aging process.  Yes, it is true, people begin to fall more as they age but there are numerous causes for a fall:  multiple medication mismanagement, home environment hazards, poor nutrition, and physical weakness due to the loss of lean muscle. 

You have to believe in something in order to see it.  Start believing that you are strong and healthy and if you are sick, begin to focus on the healing powers of your body.  Envision yourself strong, capable, and able.   You deserve a quality life and once you believe that and begin to see yourself functioning safely,  you will feel better.   Start small and be grateful for the little things.

If you have a fallen and are afraid of falling again,  start your Take 5 to Exercise seated stretching and strengthening routines today and you will begin to feel yourself getting stronger as you gain more flexibility.  Keep doing my Take 5 to Exercise program for 3 weeks and you will notice your improved posture as your confidence soars as you become increasingly aware of your body and respect those physical limitations.

Hey, I think success is the best revenge so show your doctors, your loved ones, and yourself that you are a strong, capable adult who can not only function but thrive as you age.  As for me, I will never stop believing in myself .

Yours truly,

The Fall Prevention Lady