Moving Differently, Living Fully

By Tyler Amundson, Director of Mission and Development, Allies in Aging

As we open this issue of Prime Connections, we're leaning into a theme that touches us all: aging well, and the courage it takes to think differently about our physical health at every age.

When I broke my ankle, the years that followed were a struggle. I couldn't find a workout that didn't hurt. My weight crept up and my heart health markers started not looking great. I believed running was what exercise looked like, because it's what I did at 25. In my work with older adults, I've seen physical changes stop people from moving.

I was headed there myself, until I got in the water. Swimming has made all the difference for body and mind. Moving through water is gentle on my joints but honest work for my heart, and it gave me flexibility I never had on the pavement. In the water, the noise of the day goes quiet and each lap clears my head. I feel healthier than five years ago, because I stopped chasing my past and found what carries me now.

Our bodies keep changing as we age, and our doctors often see it first. Mine reminds me to focus on markers, not the mirror, and to picture myself in motion, not the way I once looked. Different doctors can help us see our bodies in new ways as conditions change, and our feature explores why geriatricians, specialists in aging bodies, are worth considering. It is good to change as we age.  Seeking new ways to move and know ourselves will help us to keep exploring, enjoying, and connecting.

Here's to aging well and aging together.

Allies in Aging Blog is brought to you by Altana Federal Credit Union