GRAND Magazine - Fall 2024 - 34

healthy balance
The " MOVE " Method
BY SUSAN VANDERLIP
I
n our journey through life, movement is a precious
gift that enriches our days and enhances our
well-being. And its importance grows as we age.
Remarkably, about 36 million falls among older adults
are reported annually, leading to significant health
challenges and, tragically, over 32,000 deaths (CDC,
2023). These statistics are a call to action, urging
us to embrace movement and balance activities to
safeguard our vitality.
Moving isn't just for the young; it's for anyone who
wants to maintain and even improve their quality of
life.
Amid these facts, I've seen the transformative power
of movement in teaching Zumba Gold to seniors ages
55 to 92. Debi, who danced in class with me when she
was 85 to 92, chose physical activity and the joy of
dancing over a sedentary senior life. Her spirit soared
with every beat of the music! Refusing to let age
or physical limitations dictate her life's rhythm, she
embraced Zumba Gold with open arms and a beaming
smile despite significant mobility challenges due to
polio as a child. Debi would arrive with her walker, set
it aside, and then move with the music however she
could. She maintained her balance and vitality through
movement to music, showing that anyone, no matter
their age, is meant to move.
Like Debi, I urge you to embrace physical activity.
Moving isn't just for the young; it's for anyone who
34 GRAND FALL 2024
wants to maintain and improve their
quality of life. That's the essence of
the MOVE method. It's a four-step
method that will help you improve
your physical and mental well-being.
What is the " MOVE "
method?
It's a heartfelt invitation to weave vitality into every
thread of our daily existence, focusing on mobility,
optimization, vitality, and engagement.
* Mobility is the celebration of movement, an
essential ingredient to a healthy and happy life.
Whether it's a serene walk in the park, a lively dance
in the living room, or stretching to greet the morning
sun, mobility adds a sparkle to our day, enhancing our
physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It reminds
us that our bodies are made to get moving, which, in
turn, is where we find freedom.
* Optimization is the art of curating our lives by
picking and choosing with care and intention. We
should embrace activities that light us up inside, moderate
those that don't serve us, and be open to small
changes in our habits and hobbies to pave the way
to the health and happiness we desire in life. This
thoughtful reflection on our daily activities encourages
us to sculpt a lifestyle that truly reflects our deepest
Susie Vanderlip (center) with her Zoomba class
desires and aspirations, ensuring that each day is lived
to its fullest.
* Vitality urges us to seek out and embrace activities
that refresh our minds, boost our energy, and
soothe our aches, be they emotional and/or physical.
It's living in harmony and continuing to work on
accepting ourselves and others-assets and liabilities.
Always remember to align your activities with advice
from your healthcare provider, ensuring your path to
vitality is safe and appropriate.
* Engagement challenges us to view aging not
as a book closing but as a new chapter brimming
with possibilities. It's embracing life with open arms,
staying curious, active, and fully present in every
moment. Engagement is about rejecting the outdated
notion that we're supposed to slow down to a
crawl or turn to a walker before trying all our options
or just sitting and watching the world go by, assuming
ours is done. We get to choose what ours will be
every individual day.
Continued on next page
https://www.facebook.com/GRANDmagazine
GRAND Magazine - Fall 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of GRAND Magazine - Fall 2024
