The Joys of being a life-long beginner - ABC Saturday extra

 It is in the struggle that we grow.

No matter if it is physical or mental, when we exert ourselves, when we struggle, we grow. 

I heard a great ABC radio national story from an advocate of life-long learning.  He says that while learning something new, when his brain hurt, from the effort, he knew that he was learning.

It is well worth catching this program.   Here is the link:-

https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/saturdayextra/the-benefits-(and-joy)-of-being-a-lifelong-beginner/13256788

                                                                                                                       As well, it is when we are uncomfortable.  Say for instance, if we are cold, or hungry or exerting doing our 8 seconds fast, we are growing. It is anti ageing.

The mechanism is the mitochondria -  Those little power houses of the cell. They are in every cell.  As we age, they coast along and start switching off, like a battery cell. It is called senisis We get by because our life is easy and comfortable. However, when we require more than is comfortable. They renew themselves by dumping the old inefficient mitochondria and grow new replacement ones. 

So, the struggle of learning something new, or being a little cold or hungry or exerting ourselves. It is like the fountain of youth.

And if that weren't enough.  Here is an older blog post

Take a H.I.I.T

As in days of yore, those, in the know, are recommending High Intensity Interval Training H.I.I.T. for older adults.  A previous study, from the eighties , in Norway says that high intensity Interval  training is not only suitable for older adults, but is recommended for for those even in cardiac rehabilitation. You've got to love Norway. So the very people that we would "tip toe around", and whom we would treat with "kid gloves" turn out to thrive with a bit of huff and puff.


New York Times reports that H.I.I.T is especially beneficial to older adults.  It works at the cellular level. The mitochondria are the power houses of the body's cells. As we age, our mitochondria reduce in size and power. What keeps our mitochondria in good shape is some high intensity work.   However, with age, our tendons, muscles and ligaments are more inclined to sprain, strain and tear.  So while older adults can certainly enjoy the benefits of higher intensity workouts, we need to safeguard ourselves. We must wear correct shoes for safety, and we must warm up to prevent injury. This is where the interval training makes sense.  Some intervals classes include high intensity blocks of one minute duration,  some 20 seconds duration I believe an older adult can  work really hard for 8 seconds...Then take it down to moderate  for 12 seconds. Our bodies adapt to the load they are given, so requiring less and less of yourself means actually reduces our capacity. Thus

So included in classes are short intervals of 8 seconds fast and 12 seconds slow.  In class we do four sessions of two sets each.  This means 8 times altogether.  It doesn't seem like much while you sit and read about it , however these intervals are  interspersed with our regular aerobic exercise.  So we really are seeking to get puffed.
So let's step up to the challenge of High Intensity Interval Training.  It just might be the fountain of youth.