As we get older, our tissues generally become more tight and rigid and our flexibility and posture can be negatively affected. Here’s some tips to keep you mobile and limber as you age:
Hydrate
A tightness in connective tissue can be associated with a lack of hydration so be sure to have your Hydro-flask with you at all times.
Eat Like a Champion
Fuel your body with a diet that is primarily fruits and vegetables, healthy fats and lean protein to assure your connective tissue has the nutrients it needs to grow and repair.
Massage
Make an investment in a massage therapist who can be very helpful in breaking down tight tissue and keeping you healthy and strong.
Range of Motion
Perform movement and exercise that has you moving through a full range of motion so you maintain functional mobility.
Lengthen While Your Strengthen
Perform exercise that has you strengthening while lengthening your muscles. Yoga and Barre classes are great to accomplish this.
Myofascial Release
Use equipment such as foam rollers or balls to roll over or provide pressure in areas that are tight to help them to release.
Vibration Therapy
Use vibration tools to help release tightness in tissues. I wrote a column on this topic just a few weeks ago. Make sure to read it!
Move Your Body
Just move! There’s nothing better at making you very tight and causing your tissues to become chronically shortened than sitting around doing nothing. So just move. Go for a walk. Get the heart pumping and blood flowing. Move your joints.
There is a Free local workshop titled “Muscle and Tissue Release for Improved Posture“ on Tuesday November 29th from 6:45-8:00pm. Two local trainers, Derrick Delay and Marijka Morgunov, have come together and created a list of Foam Rolling & Myofascial release techniques paired with postural strengthening exercises that promote blood flow and will keep muscle tissues healthy, release tension caused by poor posture and enhance strength that will ensure lasting results. In this session, you will learn about fascia and how it can increase or decrease your performance and stress levels. You will go home with handouts so you can perform these much-needed techniques on your own to promote injury reduction and a decreased stress this holiday season. Go HERE to signup or call 360-574.7292 to reserve your spot.
Yours in health & fitness,
Sherri McMillan
Join us for the COUVE CLOVER RUN – 3, 7 & 10 MILES on March 24th, 2019 in downtown Vancouver, WA.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s day with us at the 5th Annual Couve Clover Run. Wear your festive green while running or walking 3, 7 or 10 miles along an extremely fast and scenic course to support local charities! We will make you earn your post-event party, but it will be off the charts hosted by Main Event and other downtown Vancouver Pubs & Breweries.