Can you climb the stairs without puffing and huffing?
Do you feel tired at the end of your day?
Does the thought getting old keep you awake at nights?
Ageing is inevitable. But being weak and frail is not.
Most women in their 40’s now realised they have moved from young to not so young.
When was the point or event that raised this awareness?
Is it when you can’t lose the weight as easily as when in your 20’s, 30’s?
Is it looking at your kids now entering college?
Is it when a shop assistant called you ‘Auntie’?
Most women fret about growing old, of losing their looks, significance and value.
In today’s times, women fret even more about perpetuating the stigma of growing old - weak and frail, dependent on others, because most women have careers and have built successful life and family.
There are two changes that occur within our body with age, and with understanding and knowledge women can help themselves to defy becoming weak and frail.
Declining Bone Density
Most people reach their peak bone mass between the ages of 25 to 30. By the time we reach 40, however, we slowly begin to lose bone mass. And it is accelerated for women after menopause.
As a result of losing bone mass, bones become brittle and may break more easily. Overall height decreases, mainly because the trunk and spine shorten. That’s why old people have stooped posture.
Osteoporosis, the major loss of bone mass is a common problem especially for older women, which makes falls a high risk for these women. The consequences of falls potentially are either hip or spine fractures. These fractures often result in long periods of immobility, loss of muscle strength and bed sores.
Declining muscle tone
It’s something not as well known as say dementia. But as people age, there is progressive loss of skeletal muscle.
The loss of muscle is known as sarcopenia and as with osteoporosis, it is a condition that makes a person frail and at a greater risk of falls.
With sarcopenia makes an older person more vulnerable to poor health and illnesses. It lowers the quality of life because of the loss of independence from declined muscle strength and function that limit movements and thus leads to social isolation.
The key is prevention
Both osteoporosis and sarcopenia should not be seen as normal part of ageing.
Prevention is possible and key to performance and longevity. Obviously, to not perpetuate the stigma of growing old.
Numerous studies have shown weight bearing exercises can slow down the loss of bone density and muscle mass in adults.
Many women do know the benefits of exercises which will help allay the concerns of growing old.
Yet most can’t seem to start exercising or they start and stop.
What is preventing women to do what’s necessary?
Is it lack of information or knowledge?
Is it lack of motivation?
Is it laziness?
What do you think?
