We don’t know about you, but we’ve thought long and hard about this oddball topic: we would like the dignity of being able to take ourselves to the bathroom for as long as possible in our older years.
No really, this is something every human desires but possibly not something every human thinks about. So, if we all want to be able to go to the bathroom unassisted, how do we do that?
Take care of your body so it will take care of you.
Your body has gotten you through a lot in your life, we know that’s true! But, if you want it to keep getting you through, you’ve got to take care of it. By that we mean feed it right, workout, destress, laugh a lot and sleep well. Take care of your body and it will take care of you. None of that comes automatically, you’ve got to plan and be strategic in achieving those aims for your health.
Build balance
Balance is one of the best ways to maintain vitality as you age. Balance comes in all different shapes and sizes but everyone is capable of improving their balance. Moreover, many folks don’t realize that balance is something you have exercise in order for it to grow as a muscle. And, it will grow as a muscle!
During our small group personal training classes, we focus heavily on core- yes we do serious core exercises every single workout. We also incorporate Yoga and Pilates into our workouts. Finally, we do a lot of moves that require stabilizing muscles to activate which typically incorporate alternating legs or arms!
We call this the 1, 1, 2 press and it’s a chest/shoulder burner. During this entire exercise, you’re holding the weights up in the air. You alternating lowering one, then the other, then both and press both back up. Then, you lower one, the other and both again. In this way, you are constantly having to stabilize the weight up in the air. 
Side planks all by themselves are evil. Add in a leg raise or even a leg hold and we’re really digging deep. Just be sure your entire body is in alignment, head to shoulder to hip to knee! 
Performing a one arm row & opposite leg raise in this, the stork stance, is a more advanced way to work on your balance and your strength at the same time! 
Standing kickbacks can be done at any level. Holding a chair will help you balance, but your feet and legs will still be fighting to keep you upright. Here we’ve added a band for resistance. The trick to feel this in your booty is to lead with the heel!
The reasoning is this: If we have better balance, we can make it to the bathroom, down on the seat, backup and wherever we are going pretty easily.
What are you doing today to help your chances at unassisted bathroom trips for life?
Ideal Balance is The Life Coaching Facility in Navarre, Florida focused on Fitness, Family and Finance. They offer 1-on-1 coaching sessions in person and virtually as well as group coaching, small group personal training and workshops each month. We exist to inject hope and empower people to live the life God created them to live. If you’d like to find out more about working with us, please fill out the contact form below!
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