top of page
Writer's pictureShikha Mishra

Why Aging Doesn’t Have to Slow You Down

Updated: Oct 30

  • What do we truly want out of life, and where do we get it wrong?

  • What if aging doesn't have to slow you down?

  • What simple changes can help you feel strong and more vibrant as you age?


If you’re around 40 or beyond, I want to share three key things that most of us aren’t really talking about. Why? Well, they’re not exactly glamorous or “sexy,” and they don’t sell. But these are the things that truly matter for your health and happiness as you get older.


But first, let me ask you something. Have you ever met someone facing a serious illness, just on the edge of losing their life? What would they give to get their health back? To have one more day feeling strong and capable? We often don’t think about this until it’s too late.


Modern medicine has helped us live longer, but let’s be honest—our quality of life as we age isn’t always great. We blame “getting old,” but is it really just about age? Or is it about how we take care of ourselves?


Prioritizing Your Health: Is It Selfish?

If you’re in your late 30s, 40s, or even 50s or 60s, and you haven’t put your health first yet, you’re doing yourself—and your family—a disservice. It’s easy to say we’re too busy with work, kids, and family obligations, but isn’t that like ignoring the airplane rule: “Put your mask on first before helping others”? How can you be there for your loved ones if you’re battling your own health issues?


It’s heartbreaking to see so many lifestyle diseases on the rise. We keep chasing wealth, caring for others, and ignore our own health until it’s too late. By the time we have the money to enjoy life, our health is often a barrier.


What Do We Truly Want Out of Life?

What do we really want out of life? Isn’t it happiness, the ability to care for our families, the freedom to travel, and the opportunity to spend time with those we love? We all want a life that is not just long, but full of joy and vitality.



How do we make that happen? By taking care of the very vehicle that allows us to live life fully—our body. It needs regular maintenance, just like a car. So, why do we treat exercise and movement as optional? You wouldn’t skip meals because you’re busy, so why skip taking care of your physical well-being?


Why Do We Often Get It Wrong?

We know we need to eat to stay alive, but we don’t think the same way about exercise, do we? When life gets busy, movement is the first thing we drop. But exercise isn’t optional. Your body needs it to stay strong, just like it needs food to stay fueled.


The good news is that the body is remarkably adaptive. You can still build muscle, improve your bone health, and enhance your overall fitness and strength at any age. It might take more effort as you get older, but it’s absolutely possible.


My Travel reflections

Recently, my husband and I took a long-overdue trip to Europe. We did the touristy stuff, but the real magic happened when we explored cities on foot—getting lost in hidden alleys, climbing ancient towers, and seeing places most tourists missed. Some cathedrals required climbing 500-600 steps to reach the top. Some days we climbed multiple of these towers. Let me tell you—it’s tough!


We saw people struggling, out of breath, and needing to rest frequently. The view from the top was breathtaking, but for me, the real reward was the journey—the feeling of strength and capability. Those who struggled with the climb might have missed that deeper connection, simply because their health didn’t support them. That’s what I’m talking about: if you want to experience life fully, your body has to be able to keep up.



Aging Powerfully: Adding Life to Your Years

So, how do we make sure we’re not just adding years to our lives, but life to our years? It comes down to three often-overlooked but crucial areas:


1. Cellular Health

Our bodies are made of cells, tissues, and organs. As we age, the balance between cell creation and cell loss shifts. In our 30s, if we're not active, we start losing more cells than we create. That’s when things go downhill. Keeping your cells healthy and active is essential to feeling younger.


2. Sarcopenia: The Loss of Muscle

Did you know that starting in our 30s, we lose about 10% of muscle mass every decade if we do nothing? By our 70s, we could lose half of our muscles. This muscle loss is linked to many modern diseases like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and even PCOS. I am sure you know that muscles support your bones, help with balance, and regulate blood sugar. They give you the posture, help you keep upright. In short, muscles are your longevity organ!


3. Osteoporosis: Weak Bones

As we age, our bones lose density and become fragile, often due to muscle loss. Muscles provide structural support, and without them, bones weaken. Hip fractures are common in people over 50 because of this. The good news? Weight-bearing activities, like strength training, can slow down bone loss and keep you strong.


Why We Can’t Afford to Wait

We see it all around us—lifestyle diseases creeping up on people who thought they had time. We’re busy, we have responsibilities, but if health isn’t at the top of our priority list, it becomes a problem later. The truth is, there’s no fast track to good health. It’s about showing up consistently, even if you can only spare a few minutes a day.


Simple Steps to Start Today

  1. Move Every Day: Take a walk, stretch, do a few bodyweight exercises—just move.

  2. Build Strength: Start small, but start lifting. Your body will thank you!

  3. Prioritize Sleep: Sleep is where your body heals. Make it count.


It’s Never Too Late—No Matter What

If you’re thinking it’s too late to make a difference, you’re wrong. My mom started lifting weights in her 60s, and it didn’t just change her health—it changed her outlook on life. She felt stronger, her blood sugar improved, and her confidence soared. Age isn’t the barrier we make it out to be. The body adapts—it’s what it was designed to do.


Make the Choice Today

The choices you make now shape the quality of your tomorrow. If you want to know what life will be like in 10, 20, or 30 years, look at what you’re doing right now. Why wait? Start now—because you’re worth it, and you have a life to enjoy.


Don’t let time slip away. Make a change, not because you have to, but because you want to. You deserve a future where you feel strong, capable, and truly alive.

9 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page