It’s Never Too Late to Start Exercising: The Power of Beginning Today for a Vibrant Aging Process -Geoff Gibson 

By Amanda Mittleman M.S.  

 

As we age, I believe we all begin to think about the changes happening in our bodies. If you choose to age with power, you’ll need to focus on the strategies that will make your body, mind and spirit stronger, more resilient, more powerful.  Unfortunately, too many people get stuck in the current US cultural narrative that getting older sucks and we’re just going to continue falling apart.   

 

This narrative is absolutely false and will lead you to a sad, miserable aging experience.  Whether it’s the desire to feel stronger as you age, or have more energy so you can play 18 holes of golf and still have energy after the game, go to a concert with your friends, get on and off an airplane to travel the world, get on the fast-moving trains in Europe, and pee in a hole in the ground in some countries, or simply age gracefully, one thing is certain: it’s never too late to start exercising.  

 

Geoff Gibson is a perfect example of the transformative power of incorporating exercise into your life and how taking that first step can lead to a more vibrant aging process. 

 

The Benefits of Strength Training: Building Skeletal Muscle, the Organ of Longevity 

Strength training, also known as weightlifting, is not just about bulging muscles and heavy weights. It’s about building and maintaining functional, healthy skeletal muscle, the organ of longevity.  As we age, we naturally lose muscle mass, 5% to 18% per decade, which can lead to decreased mobility, strength, and independence.  However, incorporating strength training into your routine can reverse this process, helping you build lean muscle mass and preserve strength as you age. 

 

Strength training doesn’t have to be intimidating. Start with bodyweight exercises or light weights and gradually increase resistance as you become stronger. Remember, consistency is key, and even small gains in muscle mass can have a significant impact on your overall health and vitality.  Geoff started with guidance.  He started at a beginner’s pace, which kept him from injuring himself.  Injury will only move you backward.   

 

The outdated Biggest Loser style of jumping into a boot camp to get your butt kicked by a trainer isn’t so effective if you’re starting to lift weights after taking many years off, or if you’re brand new to resistance training.  

 

High-Intensity Interval Training For Cardiovascular Health  

 

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is a very effective form of training. However, if you’re new to training, you’ll want to start with walking for your cardiovascular training.  If you’re getting 10,000 steps in a day and moving throughout your day, HIIT will work but listen to your body.  At Mo-Mentum Fitness, we believe in one-on-one personal training, or small group personal training to get started with your training program so you build a strong foundation in movement to lower your risk of injury.  

 

Cardiovascular exercise, such as brisk walking, jogging, or cycling, is essential for heart health and overall well-being. Not only does it strengthen your heart and lungs, but it also contributes to you being able to progress your resistance training and build muscle which in turn helps you keep your blood sugar in check, burn fat, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. 

 

Clean Eating: Improving Joint Health and Enhancing Mental Health 

 

Exercise alone isn’t enough to support a vibrant aging process. Nutrition plays a crucial role in overall health and well-being, especially as we age. Clean eating, which involves consuming whole, nutrient-dense foods and minimizing processed foods and added sugars, can have a profound impact on our physical and mental health. 

If you asked me for the ONE thing to change in your nutrition first, I would tell you, hands down….increase your protein intake to at least 35 grams/meal for 3 meals a day….105 grams of protein per day.   This is a blanket statement of course, but it’s a good place to start as many people are not used to eating that much protein.   

 

Increasing your protein and keeping your calories the same, would require that you lower your simple and starchy carbohydrate intake and possible fat intake.  But you’ll feel more full, you’ll have more energy and your muscles will have the nutrients they need to grow or be well maintained.  

 

A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats can help improve your joint health, reduce inflammation, and support overall vitality.  Additionally, eating well-balanced meals can positively affect mental health, boosting mood and reducing the risk of depression and anxiety. 

 

Community: Fostering Connection and Enhancing Quality of Life 

 

Finally, one of the most overlooked aspects of aging well is the importance of community. Building connections with others who share similar goals and interests can provide support, accountability, and a sense of belonging.  When you connect with someone who fills your spirit you also release oxytocin which calms your nervous system.  It’s the antidote to too much of the stress hormone cortisol.   

  

Whether it’s joining a fitness class, small group personal training session or one of many social events, surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals can make the journey to vibrant aging more enjoyable and sustainable. 

 

In conclusion, it’s never too late to start exercising, but today is the best day to begin. By incorporating strength training, HIIT training, clean eating, and community into your life, you can improve the quality of your aging process and feel amazing in your own skin. Remember, it’s not about perfection; it’s about progress and making small, sustainable changes that lead to a healthier, more vibrant life.  

 

This is what Geoff did.  He just started.  He knew he wanted to maintain his freedom as he aged.  He wanted to enjoy his life now and in the future. So he jumped in.  At first, it was all new and hard.  But NOTHING that transforms us is “easy.” Geoff kept going.  He found himself surrounded by people who were cheering him on and he made friends who continue to cheer him on. 
 

Like most people getting back into fitness or who are brand new to exercise, Geoff struggled to lunge and squat in the beginning. If he had started to exercise without direction, he likely would have injured himself.  With guidance, it only took Geoff a month to begin to feel his strength developing.  Now almost a year after he started, Geoff is unstoppable and he looks like he’s been training for years!  

 

So, what are you waiting for? Lace up those sneakers, grab some weights, and join us on the journey to aging powerfully and gracefully. 

 

 

QUESTIONS:   

 

Describe what your life (and your health) was like before fitness.  

As I grew up I was always active in sports and was pretty good at whatever I tried (except for swinging a golf club… fail..!), I enjoy riding motorcycles both on and off-road, mountain biking and hiking with my family and friends. These things allowed me to stay fit so I didn’t make it a point to go to the gym regularly. 

Was there ever a low point or an experience that made your priorities change?  

I have had a few low points in my life, unexpected events that changed my perspective about what is really important and what matters and where to spend your time and energy. 

How did fitness come into your life (or back into your life)?  

I did not regularly work out until I met my friend Gail who had been working out for several years. I saw the positive effects it has had in her life and that is what inspired me to give it a try. 

 

What kind of results have you seen since starting a regular fitness program?  

Since starting in June 2023 I have noticed improved muscle tone and strength, and my endurance has greatly improved as well. I couldn’t even do one push-up when I started and now 8 or 10 is pretty easy.
 

Let’s focus in on the blood work.  What kind of changes have you seen there?  What do these changes mean for your lifestyle, longevity, finances, etc?   

I have been very healthy all my life and haven’t seen any significant changes other than improved cholesterol numbers. I know that strength training is vital to your overall well-being.
 

Why do you make fitness a priority in your life?  

I see the positive changes it has made in my overall health and fitness. I wish I had made it a priority earlier in life.
 

 

These days, what makes you truly happy and feel at peace? 

Family! I have raised 3 wonderful, thoughtful and caring kids who I couldn’t be more proud of. The little things in life are the most important. Stop and smell the flowers..)
 

 How do you feel compared to 1 year ago?  

 I feel that I get better sleep, have more stamina and of course have more strength for day-to-day life.
 

What is your favorite thing about Mo-Mentum Fitness?  

I would say the energy you feel when you’re in the room with other people working on their own fitness goals. And the awesome instructors there who actually care about you.
 

What would you say to the person who knows they need to start exercising but is afraid to start?    

 I would tell them about my own experience and how easy it was to just give it a try. I think the hardest thing to do is to make the commitment and follow through… just do it!
 

Specifics: your age? job title? children?  spouse? 

I spent most of my career in the semiconductor manufacturing industry as a buyer. I Have 4 children who are out on their own making their own lives, one whom I adopted when she was 2 weeks old after foster parenting her and other children for a few years. Not currently married.  

 

 

Favorite Quote:  

       ‘Just do it’