I used to dismiss fitness as a problem for my future. Before I began my fitness journey, I used to collapse after five push-ups during the P.E. push-up test, but now I can finish 30 without stopping. Working out felt pointless because any potential benefits seemed too distant to matter. I later realized the longer I ignored fitness, the more my future self would pay for it. I owe this shift in perspective to my 83-year-old great-aunt and her adventurous lifestyle.
I spoke with Jayson Patel, head strength and conditioning coach at Glenbrook North, who said working out can improve movement quality as one ages, which reduces the risk of disease, protects joints and improves bone mineral density.
As a now retired dietitian, my great-aunt always found it important to eat well and stay active in her daily life, and her trips around the world prove healthy habits pay off. At 81, she traveled to Africa, sat on the ground to eat and didn’t worry that she’d need help standing back up. On a recent trip to Antarctica, she was eager to go kayaking and hike across the icy terrain. Even when she visited my family, she insisted on walking to dinner instead of taking an Uber. Her lifestyle choices have shown me what’s possible when you prioritize caring for your body early on in life.
Exercise can help mitigate chronic pain and the risk of a severe, acute injury, Patel said.
The impact of exercise matters, not just in the future, but right now. Whether it’s back pain from carrying a heavy backpack or avoiding sports injuries, working out can help you at any moment.
Today I train my core for better balance at 50, and I do cardio so a flight of stairs doesn’t leave me winded at 60, all while lifting weights to build muscles that won’t give out on me when I’m 80. My dedication to fitness will help me achieve a future like my great-aunt’s, one with the freedom to enjoy new experiences.
When I hear my great-aunt’s stories, I’m reminded the choices we make today shape the bodies we live in tomorrow. Exercise doesn’t need to be complicated. Any meaningful movement can aid the body you rely on for life. Every rep, every run and every drop of sweat is an investment in your future self.