Long gone are the days when I was able to put on my gym clothes and dive right into a workout or a run. Long gone are the days when stretching was a suggestion not mandatory, and long gone are the days when I could pick up a heavy bag of groceries without thinking about my form.
Getting older is no joke and not for the faint of heart. Don't get me wrong, the fact that I'm at the age that I am is a blessing, but there are days when I miss my younger self. Don't lie, I know you do as well!
You may not move as easily as you use to, you may have a bit more weight on you, and you may feel more aches and pain in your body, but there is a beauty about getting older. For one, it means being more aware of what you need.
In regards to fitness, perhaps your body is asking for more stretching and strengthening workouts. Perhaps you need to do exercises that challenge your balance and coordination. Perhaps you need to be more intentional about strengthening your core. Stretching, strengthening and balance are things that can help you build confidence and awareness in your body. As I've gotten older, I try to move away from the vanity of fitness and focus on the ability that fitness offers. For example, strengthening your core is not for six-pack abs but to facilitate movement and reduce the risk of injury.
The truth about getting older means we are at a place where we permit ourselves to be kinder to ourselves, not take ourselves so seriously and more importantly to have fun. You understand yourself more, you know what works and what doesn't and less likely to be pressured into trying the latest fitness craze where you pray you make through class without injuring yourself or someone else. But all jokes aside, the truth about getting older is understanding the importance and leaning into what makes you great.
I started GhanaGirl Fitness to build an international community of women who feel supported in building strength, confidence and expressing themselves through fitness and dance. The classes and services meet you where you are fitness-wise, pay attention to what your body needs, and encourage you to do you!
Visit Ghanagirl.ca to check out my classes and services. My signature class BootDance, will start on May 7! Learn more here. I hope to see you there.
As I mentioned before, getting older is no joke but keeping our bodies moving, addressing our needs and having fun is the recipe for feeling young, vibrant and unstoppable.
-GhanaGirl