Apparently, we had lost it.
A few months ago, my husband and I decided it would be a good idea to start training at Iron Sports, a Ninja Warrior gym that has sent quite a few competitors to American Ninja Warrior.
Don’t be impressed.
I do NOT suspect either of us will be competing on national television anytime soon. 😂
When we started, we could barely hang from a bar, much less swing across one or knock out pull-ups during the group warm-up.
It was humbling.
Actually, it was embarrassing. 😂
We had officially become living proof of the saying:
If you don’t use it, you lose it.
And friends…
we had lost it.
Your Body Needs to Be Used
Nothing dramatic happened to either of us.
We simply stopped doing certain things.
We weren't hanging from bars.
We weren't pulling our body weight.
We weren't stretching very much.
We weren't regularly asking our bodies to move in ways that required balance, flexibility, grip strength, or agility.
And slowly, without really noticing it, our bodies had gotten a little…
rickety.
But then something interesting happened.
A few months of consistently asking our bodies to do more, and we were hanging, swinging, stretching, climbing, and doing pull-ups.
Are we Ninja Warriors?
Absolutely not. 😂
But we are stronger.
We're more flexible.
We move better.
And things that felt almost impossible a few months ago now feel much more normal.
That has been such a good reminder for me:
Our bodies were made to MOVE.
Movement Is About More Than Exercise
Life gets busy, and it's incredibly easy to reduce “movement” to walking from the car to the grocery store and carrying twelve bags inside at once because apparently making two trips is a character flaw. 😂
But everyday movement matters.
Our muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments are designed to move. And as we get older, maintaining strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and mobility becomes especially important for staying active and doing the things we enjoy.
That doesn't mean you need to become a gym rat.
It doesn't mean you need to train for American Ninja Warrior.
And it certainly doesn't mean you need to spend hours exercising every day.
It means we need to keep asking our bodies to do things.
The “Use It or Lose It” Principle
Think about what happens when you stop doing something for a long time.
The first time you try it again, it may feel awkward.
Maybe your balance isn't what it used to be.
Maybe reaching overhead feels stiff.
Maybe getting down on the floor isn't as easy as it once was.
Maybe your grip isn't what it used to be.
Maybe climbing stairs leaves you thinking, Well, that was humbling.
That's not necessarily a reason to give up.
It can be a reason to start using those abilities again.
Our Iron Sports experience reminded me that our bodies can adapt when we consistently challenge them within our abilities.
What feels difficult today may feel surprisingly normal after you've practiced it for a while.
You Don't Need a Ninja Gym to Move More
Here's the good news:
You don't need a Ninja gym.
You don't need an elaborate workout plan.
You don't need fancy equipment.
You just need to start using what you've got.
Take the walk.
Stretch while you're watching TV.
Get down on the floor.
Practice getting back up.
Hang from something that's secure and appropriate for you.
Lift something.
Dance in your kitchen.
Do a few squats while you're waiting for your coffee.
Reach.
Bend.
Push.
Pull.
Walk.
Stretch.
Play.
Move.
The goal isn't to prove how athletic you are.
The goal is to remind your body that you're still planning on using it for a very long time. ❤️
Today's Tip: MOVE YOUR BODY
Today's tip is simple:
MOVE YOUR BODY.
I especially love the agility tips from Vanja Moves, because they make movement feel practical, playful, and approachable.
You don't have to do everything.
Pick one thing.
Take a walk.
Try some gentle mobility exercises.
Practice your balance.
Strengthen your legs.
Work on your grip.
Stretch.
Dance.
Just move a little more than you did yesterday.
And if you're starting something new, start where you are and progress gradually. Your body doesn't need you to prove anything. It needs consistency.
What I Use to Support an Active Lifestyle
Of course, movement is the foundation. Products can simply be part of the routine surrounding it.
AgilEase for Joint Health
I like keeping AgilEase next to my coffee maker as a reminder to take it with breakfast, following the product directions.
AgilEase is formulated with ingredients including Frankincense, Clove, and Copaiba and is designed to support joint health, flexibility, and mobility.
For me, it's a convenient addition to the rest of my active-lifestyle routine.
But no supplement replaces the actual work of moving your body.
That's still our job.
Ortho Sport Massage Oil After an Active Day
After a day when I've asked a little more of my body, I also like Ortho Sport Massage Oil as part of a soothing massage routine.
It combines vegetable oils with essential oils including Oregano, Peppermint, Thyme, and Wintergreen and provides a cooling sensation when massaged onto the skin.
Follow the product's label directions for topical use, and remember that essential oils and products containing them aren't appropriate for everyone.
For me, it's one more little signal that the active part of the day is over and it's time to take care of my body.
Start Where You Are
Maybe you're reading this thinking, “Terri, I can barely get through the grocery store without my body complaining. You're talking about hanging from bars!”
I hear you.
I'm not suggesting everyone needs to start climbing, swinging, or doing pull-ups.
Start where you are.
If walking is where you are, walk.
If stretching is where you are, stretch.
If you need to work on balance, start there.
If getting up and down from the floor is difficult, that's useful information—and something you can work on safely and gradually.
Your starting point doesn't matter nearly as much as continuing to move forward.
Because the goal isn't to become a Ninja Warrior.
It's to remain capable of doing the things you want to do.
For a very long time.
What Part of Your Body Complains First?
We all have that one spot, don't we?
The neck.
The shoulders.
The knees.
The lower back.
Or maybe the entire body sends you a group text when your schedule gets too busy. 😂
What's the part of your body that always tells you the schedule is packed?
I'm curious where everyone else feels it first.
To staying loose,
Terri
Terri
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