Movement As A Way of Life
- Esther J Trotman
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Our bodies are remarkable, aren’t they? How awesome is this design that can think, talk, see, run, jump, play and dance. How wonderful it is that even when one part is missing or not working well, the rest of the body can come together and find a way to make up for its limitations.
If you have watched the movie Wall-E, the creators included a frightful but realistic future. Humanity sitting in hovering chairs, never having walked because they can do everything from that chair. Realistic? Indeed. The only difference at the moment is that we transfer our bodies from chair to chair: Living room/dining room chair, car seat, office chair, school chair, waiting room chair, restaurant chairs. We are one invention away from living our worst lives yet.
I’ll share the secrets. Five fantastic ways to have movement as a way of life!
Get up, stand up!
Standing up between long periods of sitting is so important. It wakes the muscles up, gets the blood moving around, and gets the heart pumping!
Challenge: Sit and stand 5 times every hour, on the hour.
Ea̶t̶i̶n̶g̶ Exercise Snacking!
Same concept as regular snacking. Moving a little bit a few times a day is a great way to keep moving, just like eating a little bit staves off hunger.
Challenge: Take a lap of your workplace building/compound three times a day: when you get to work, during your lunch break, leaving work.
Never stop playing!
One mistake we all make as we get older is giving up the best form of exercise - play. When was the last time you chased a friend or played hide and seek? Life is too short to always be taken so seriously. Get outside and have some fun! Challenge: Play a game of catch/tag with a group. Including children and adults.
Walk a little more!
Too often we are stuck circling the nearest car parks to entrances, or waiting for a bus to take us maybe 1km away. Honestly, ditch the wheels and walk. Park the car farther away, take the extra walk instead of waiting on the bus, etc.
Challenge: Get off the bus 2 stops earlier and walk the rest of the way. OR Park the car at the farthest corner park in the supermarket.
Make a habit of it!
We never have to set an alarm or reminder to brush our teeth. That is a habit we were taught from young. Movement should be the same! Making a habit of regular movement takes the stress out of keeping active.
Challenge: Continue challenge #1 even at home! Try to sit and stand 5 times every day and make a note of it. See what is the longest streak you can get.
Bonus tip: Make exercise a non-negotiable appointment in your schedule!
That’s right. Put aside at least 10 minutes somewhere in your daily schedule committed to movement. Every day may not be possible, so you can start with even 3 days a week. Make it an important appointment, disrupted only by emergencies. Because it is!
Getting movement in is an essential part of life, just like bathing: you don’t need to bathe to live, but it definitely makes it a whole lot better. Let’s get started, wherever you are, with whatever you have. Don’t forget, MOVE OFTEN AND AGE WELL!
Yours truly,
Dr. Vicki Estwick (M.B.B.S, MSc Exercise)
Dr. Vicki Estwick is a special populations exercise trainer and a medical doctor for 12 years. She received her medical education at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus. She then went on to do her Masters of Science in Exercise and Physical Activity for Special Populations and Healthy Ageing at Middlesex University London, graduating in 2022. Her love for activity especially in those with chronic disease and the elderly leads her charge in making regular movement enjoyable and accessible for all.
Comments