Starting Exercise in your Mid-50’s: It’s never too late ladies!
Today we take you through a story of a female in her mid-50’s who began training with Longevity Exercise Physiology at our Lindfield location at age 56. She had trained as a young adult, but after becoming a mum and working at the same time, she put her own health and wellbeing on the back seat for many years. Now in her mid-50’s and diagnosed with fatty liver disease, osteopenia in her hips and lumber spine, and living with low back pain, Sally* decided it was important she start to concentrate on her own health!
Meet Sally
Sally had a check-up DXA Scan to measure her bone mineral density (BMD) at the end of 2019 and it showed the osteopenia in her lumbar spine and hips had further declined. Her husband was already seeing one of Longevity’s Exercise Physiologists, so she decided it was important she also sought advice for managing her health conditions.
Sally attended Exercise Physiology sessions in the gym for a few months, which introduced her to progressive resistance training, balance and bone loading movements that aim to prevent osteopenia from worsening and progressing to osteoporosis.
Due to the closure of gyms, Sally’s sessions were moved outdoors and she was very grateful to continue training seamlessly and also bring her child along to sessions whilst they were on school holidays, which wasn’t as easy to do in a busy gym! Sally’s walking capacity and lower body strength both increased by 10% and she has reported less low back pain since establishing a regular exercise routine with her Exercise Physiologist. Sally occasionally experiences pain in her neck, however she has been able to continue training during these flare-ups because she is always reassured and guided through appropriate and modified exercises.
Did you know a bone loss of approximately 2% per year occurs for several years after menopause?1
Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become thin, weak and fragile, such that fractures are more likely to occur following a fall. Osteopenia is when bone mineral density is lower than normal but not low enough to be classified as osteoporosis. Women are at a greater risk of developing osteoporosis because of the rapid decline in oestrogen levels during menopause.
Although some women are at a higher risk of developing Osteoporosis, it is something everyone should to aware of and try to prevent. If you, or anyone you know could benefit from our services like Sally has, contact Longevity and book in your free strategy session to see how we can help! 1300 964 002
* Name changed for privacy reasons
Read more about Osteoporosis HERE
Written by Courtney Maher
