Energized at Every Age: Fitness Journeys and Spring Wellness Strategies

Inspiring fitness success and practical spring wellness tips to rejuvenate your routine, no matter your age.

Success Story: Fitness Helped Him Thrive after Back Surgery

For Dr. Bruce Lockhart, it was finally back surgery that got him committed to regular exercise near retirement a decade ago.

Over the years, he had treated enough patients with chronic back pain to know that he didn’t want to become one after his back surgery.

So he found the right trainer at the right gym and has been enjoying it for 10 years, pain free.

“I like not looking like I’m 77 years old,” says Bruce, who enjoys hiking, working in his large garden, and running obstacle-course races --  in addition to three-times-a-week small group training at the gym.

“You can very quickly become a couch potato at my age,” he says. “It’s pretty easy. But I really enjoy going to the gym. It’s just become part of my life.”

Exercise Before and After Surgery

Bruce is a great example of how fitness helps us overcome common physical challenges that can affect us later in life – like his back pain, or surgery for a joint replacement that so many people need. Even healthy ones.

Mature adults who exercise regularly are less likely to suffer a disability – and they are more likely to recover faster, according to one study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Researchers said the active participants in the study had been “built up” by exercise and had become “more resilient” than sedentary peers

And the National Institutes for Health concludes that exercise before and after surgery is important for ensuring its success in older people.

Trainer Shebah Carfagna believes she benefitted from her physical fitness when she needed hip replacement surgery a couple of years ago in her 60s – in “prehab” as well as rehab.

“You have to take what life gives you and make it work and adjust,” Shebah says. “It’s important for the body to continue to move. You just can’t stop because something happens. You have to keep going.”

Find Something You Like

For Bruce, his life as a physician and his own experiences in the gym have taught him that nothing promotes healthy longevity like exercise.

“If you don’t stay fit, sooner or later, things are going to start to go downhill,” he says. “It’s so important if you care about how long you spend on this earth.”

Bruce recommends finding a trainer (or a gym or studio) you like – with who you feel comfortable. He enjoys working with his “inspiring” trainer, and in a small group whose members keep each other accountable. But it’s not essential for everyone.

His top piece of advice?

“Find something you enjoy doing,” he says. “It’s not going to become drudgery if you enjoy it.”

We couldn’t agree more. I can help you move, starting today! To do so, you can book your consultation here.

Spring into Fitness Starting Now

It might not seem possible right now, but springtime is just around the corner. And whether you’ve been staying active all winter or not, it’s not too soon to start thinking about amping up your exercise routine and paying more attention to your diet.

Here are some tips to have in mind and put into practice.

1.     Lift weights. Strength training is good for your bones, your balance, and preventing age-related muscle loss, which leads to all sorts of problems.

2.     Hit the trails. Enjoy your town’s walkability features on trails or parks by walking, jogging, or biking. Toronto has amazing parks all around the city.

3.     Eat fresh. Farmers markets are a great way to eat fresh and eat local, and to be sure you’re getting all the necessary nutrients. Here is a list of Toronto’s farmers’ markets by day of the week.

4.     Strong for gardening? If you love working in the yard, then you need to be strong and have the endurance and flexibility to do it. I’ll help you get ready.

5.     Keep your regular appointments. Have you checked in with your doctor lately for Rx refills – and a discussion about seasonal allergies that might be coming back? Resist the urge to shrug off the dentist, the eye doctor, and others who help keep you moving.

6.     Set a date. Schedule a picnic with friends, or a 5K or a drive to a scenic spot for hiking.

Spring is here, and I’m here for you. Let’s talk.

Your inspiration for the week: Will It Be…

And remember, be kind to yourself and others! See you next time,

Dr. Loïse

Are you in your sixties and want to get tips and insights on how to live a long and happy life? Are you a millennial witnessing your parents’s journey and wishing for them to thrive? Curious about the secrets to a contented life? If so, this newsletter is for you. Subscribe below if you find the content helpful — I truly appreciate it! Thank you!