Have you ever felt a bit unsteady on your feet or worried about losing your balance?
You’re not alone.
As we age, maintaining good balance becomes increasingly important for our independence and well-being.
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That’s where I come in.
Why Is Balance Training Critical After 50?
As we age, staying balanced becomes more and more important.
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In fact, hip fractures from falls are one of the leading causes of death in individuals over 65.
And it’s not just about getting olderit’s about what happens to our bodies.
Read on to discover these crucial mistakesand more importantly, how to fix them.
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9 Exercise Habits That Are Destroying Your Body After 50and What to Do Instead
9.
If you skip sessions, you’ll find that your progress stalls, and it can be frustrating.
Real patient example:I worked with a 67-year-old woman who was a bit inconsistent with her exercises.
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Some weeks she’d do them, other weeks she’d skip them.
She gained so much more confidence in her ability to walk and move around without fear of falling.
Your balance needs to be pushed to grow stronger.
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Easy fix:Try gradually increasing the difficulty of your balance exercises.
It’ll force your body to adapt and get better at staying steady.
Even just a few minutes a day can make a big difference in how you move and feel.
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Real patient example:I worked with a 66-year-old man who had really tight hamstrings.
He struggled to bend over to tie his shoes, and it affected his overall balance.
It was a game changer for him!
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It’s like trying to stand on a tightropeyour base of support is too small.
Easy fix:Keep your feet shoulder-width apart.
This gives you a solid base, making you more stable and less likely to fall.
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Once we corrected that, he became more stable and started feeling more confident walking around.
9 Fitness Habits That Are Destroying Your Body Before You Reach 50
5.
It’s like trying to walk on ice with shoes that aren’t made for it.
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Easy fix:Look for shoes that offer good support and a non-slip sole.
ensure they fit wellno pinching or too much room around the toes.
It’s also best to avoid high heels or sandals that don’t offer much stability.
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Trust me, your feet (and your balance!)
will thank you.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e
Real patient example:I worked with a 75-year-old woman who was constantly feeling unsteady.
After a bit of digging, we found out her shoes were the culprit.
They had slick soles, which made it tough for her to stay steady.
Once she switched to shoes with better grip, she noticed a huge improvement.
She felt much safer walking around, and her confidence soared!
Easy fix:Posture is the key!
This helps keep your body centered, making it easier to stay balanced.
As a result, she had weak legs and wasn’t moving confidently.
That can increase your risk of falls, especially as we age.
A little support can go a long way in improving your balance!
He’d been dealing with balance issues for years without realizing his feet were a contributing cause.
After we did a foot scan and gait analysis, we fitted him for custom orthotics.
Once he started wearing them, he noticed a huge improvement in his balance.
He felt steadier, more confident, and even less fatigued during his walks.
If they’re not properly managed, they can make it much harder to stay steady on your feet.
After digging a bit deeper, we found that his high blood pressure was the culprit.
He wasn’t managing it properly, and it was affecting his ability to stay steady.
His balance improved significantly, and he was much more confident walking around again.
The key is staying active, even just a little bit each day.
Easy fix:Start small and gentle.
Before you know it, you’ll be moving more freely and with less worry.
But when we started with short walks inside, holding onto furniture for support, she gradually gained confidence.
It was amazing to see her regain that freedom.
