Those Slow-Go Years Come Sooner Than You Think

Many of my friends and colleagues are now entering their 60s. They love the concept of the Go-Go, Slow-Go, and No-Go years when I explain it to them. It’s simple. It makes sense. It’s something that they can translate to their own lives.

The Slow-Go years signify a shift where some activities may become more challenging due to changes in mobility or stamina. While one partner might remain active and vibrant, the other may face limitations that require adjustments in lifestyle and expectations.

While none of us expect to live forever, and by the time you make it to your sixth decade at a minimum you have your daily aches and pains, the truth is many are not prepared for how quickly we can move into Slow-Go or, worse, No-Go years.

I’ve seen how quickly we can fall into Slow-Go. As they say, “Shit happens.” You fall. You have an unexpected surgery. You have an accident. You find your mental cognition isn’t all there. Perhaps you are so bored after spending all those years being Mr. or Ms. Businessperson at XYZ company that you fall into a depression.

I’ve seen friends undergo surgeries where the fight to get back to 70% or 80% of what they were involves an incredible amount of energy and stamina. At 65+, people can experience reductions in strength and stability, increasing the risk of falling. According to Health and Safety Executive, 1 in 3 people aged 65+ and 1 in 2 aged 80+ suffering from a fall each year. After experiencing a fall, 66% will regrettably fall again within six months. 20% will require medical attention, and 10% experience a serious injury such as a fracture or head injury that can lead to long-term care.

How do you prepare for the unexpected? Look, there is no panacea here. But what I’ve seen is that starting or returning to exercise, especially over the age of 50, is key to preventing injuries, helping you recover from the unexpected, and improving both mental and emotional health.

Where to begin?

The FutureFitYOU assessment tool focuses on preparing you for Mobility, Strength, Agility, Cardio, and VO2 for your future years. It’s something that needs to be worked on NOW, regardless of age or gender.

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