In my interview that went out last week with our Spotlight Member, Andi, I asked her what her “why” is for taking care of herself prioritizing her strength. She responded, “I got to a point in my life – I knew I was turning 60 and I said there is no more time. It is now or never. I have to do this for the rest of my life. It may be cliché, but it really is my motivating factor. I want to be able to carry my own groceries and take care of myself at 80 years as best as I can. And I may have needed to start sooner but we can’t go backward…”
I replied, “The second best time is NOW!”
When it comes to improving your quality of life with physical training, there isn’t a specific age when it’s too late to begin. We had a member once join as a birthday gift to herself on her 85th birthday! If you are able to move your body, most likely you can benefit from some form of training no matter how many years you have lived.
You are not too old. Nor are you too far behind others who have started before you. Or too broken down from injuries, or too busy, or so far down a path you don’t want to be on that you can’t turn around.
You might have to start slowly. You might have to be patient as you rehab old injuries. You might have to remind yourself daily not to compare yourself to others, or to a past version of yourself. You might have to go to bed earlier so you can get up and train before work in the morning, or skip happy hour after work so you can get your workout in. You will have to develop the habit of doing it even when you don’t feel like it, and prioritizing training even when you feel too busy. And you will have to be consistent to get where you want to go.
But just imagine for a moment how you’ll feel a year from now, if you start today… Imagine how strong, capable and confident you’ll feel if you start strength training just twice a week. Imagine how much better your body will move if you do your daily joint mobility (that’s CARs for our Breakthrough members). Imagine the changes to your overall health and metabolism if you started walking everyday.
Already doing all of that? Good for you! If there are other things you’ve been meaning to get to, know you should do, or have always wanted to try – the second best time is now! Whether these things are fitness related or not, it’s most likely not too late!
Maybe the best time to start was 10 years ago, or even 20 years ago. Whatever the exact “perfect” start date was, it falls into the past, which cannot be changed. The only moment that is ever guaranteed is the one we are currently experiencing. And maybe that means that now isn’t really the “second best” time, but the actual best time.
Consider this: the you that exists now is the you who is ready. You are not reading this accidentally. Everything you’ve learned and experienced so far in life has lead you to right now. Let that inspire you to take action, no matter how small. You’ve got this!