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What exercises help to increase muscle tone as we age?

Aging Well | Last Active: Mar 12, 2023 | Replies (129)

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@ellamster

Due to trauma and depression I one day end of 2016 sat down with the laptop, and never walked or exercised again. I go upstairs to the bathroom and bedroom and had a brief happy period that ended because something very bad happened, and because of surgery gone awry. I have been sedentary ever since. Ordering groceries online, hardly ever going outside.
I will hear this Friday if some sort of training via video is available, if not I don't know how to get motivated to start. The lack of motivation has been the reason, that and not wanting to feel my body at all. But I notice so much is wrong, inflammations all over my body, almost every joint hurts and I feel I hardly have any muscles left.
I have been diagnosed with hyper mobility but that ship has sailed. It may enter the harbour one day if I manage to get back up and running and that would be great; to move and to be as flexible as I was before. But i should start with walking before running.
I too danced, although not professionally but I was very dedicated. When I had no money for the pointe ballet shoes I danced on the tip of my toes. It hurt to begin with but I got used to it. I had to make do. I stopped dancing though, and have not been active ever since.
I read about the supplements but can't afford them; this is verrry frustrating I must say! I will have to make do with proper food.

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Replies to "Due to trauma and depression I one day end of 2016 sat down with the laptop,..."

@ellamster

Hi,
Your muscles have atrophied after such a long period of inactivity but you know what to do and have taken the first steps by requesting a video and being on this forum.
Forget the supplements and just start walking. I mean right now get up and periodically throughout the day, schedule a certain number of steps that you want to target for that day. Get a pedometer in the meantime. You can walk indoors or outdoors depending on your layout. It doesn’t matter if you walk circles around your home.
Just hold a couple of 4 or 5 lb weights while you do this and after a while you can start using the weights. Stretch to the sky when you get out of bed and every time you get up. Make deliberate double trips to whatever you do at home…I mean by this, make two trips to the garbage pail instead of one. Get an inexpensive watch on Amazon that will track your steps and nudge you with alerts to get up and move. These are small steps but you sound like you really want to start. Eat good protein instead of the supplements.
Exercise releases the good hormones..endorphins and serotonin…it will improve your mood, brain and concentration.

Using the stairs is great too. Wear good shoes or sneakers around the house.

I wish you the best of luck

FL Mary