It’s time to challenge how ageing is perceived

I have been thinking about how we talk about ageing and how much we focus on what we can’t do instead of what we can or want to do.

Darcy’s Dad, Ernie is 82. He helps with packaging, deliveries and odd jobs here at Zestt and takes a Zestt Breathe+ lozenge every day! Yesterday he walked 14,000 steps as part of his Dunedin Hash-House Harriers group – a group which walk or run, socialise and drink the “occasional” beer over a pot-luck dinner every second Sunday. 

Ernie is an active guy, he showed me his phone and in the last four days he has completed 35,226 steps, or 32.7 kilometres. He’s not sitting in his rocking chair watching the telly so much!

I am reading Dr Gabrielle Lyon’s book “Forever Strong” at the moment. She is a US-based Geriatrician who is an advocate for building muscle and eating greater amounts of protein as you age.

You lose 3-8% of muscle very decade of your life after the age of 30. As your body increases in fat, your muscle becomes infiltrated with adipose tissue – much like a highly marbled steak – which affects its ability to do all the great things it’s needed for:

1. Movement and Physical Performance. This is the most obvious function. Muscles are responsible for all types of movement, from walking and running to lifting objects and fine motor skills. Strong muscles make everyday activities easier and help maintain balance and coordination and help prevent falling.
2. Metabolic Health. Muscles play a vital role in regulating metabolism. They are highly metabolically active, meaning they burn calories even when at rest. This helps control blood sugar levels, maintain a healthy weight, and reduce the risk of metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes. Muscles also act as a reservoir for amino acids, which are crucial for various bodily functions including immune response and tissue repair. This reserve can be a life saver if you have to have surgery or treatment, like chemotherapy.

My father was a geriatrician and would call out “ageism” long before it was a thing. When I hear people speak about becoming invisible – I say, “it’s time to make yourself visible.” At Zestt we love to challenge stereotypes of ageing and having Ernie in our team keeps us real (and entertained).

Ask yourself, when did you last use age as an excuse for not doing something? How many times in conversation do you say something along the lines of “well it’s part of getting older I guess.” Catch yourself, question your mindset and get going. Embrace whatever it is you are suddenly “too old for.”

All the best, Anna and Darcy.

If you would like to discuss any of this further, please contact Darcy or Anna (who you can contact at +64 27 599 2255 or +64 27 4861418 respectively) or via info@zesttwellness.com.