Movement Matters: 30+ and Totally Capable

Maybe you dabbled in being active as a child or teenager and life got in the way, time passed and you are now over 30 and wondering if it’s even possible to take up any type of movement activity. Let’s not even get started on sport, right? Perhaps like me, being an art nerd was always your digs, but over time you have found yourself wanting to try new things.

Often it’s new people in our lives that encourage and inspire us to get out and give it a go. In my 20’s I was introduced to cycling and for a few years there I lived and breathed riding my bike while living in the bustling inner-city Sydney. I do remember the very first time I rode from Pots Point to New Town and I was ready to give up on life. My muscles were screaming, I had no idea where I was going and the traffic was like nothing I’d ever experienced before. As time went on, I found my fitness level building. I didn’t keep riding because I wanted to be fit, however, for the first time in my life I knew what it felt like to feel physically capable. I was strong, I had stamina and I even got a thrill from pushing my limits. This was when I built a fixed-gear bike and joined the rest of the hipsters, a very proud moment for my art nerd introvert self.

About to turn 30 with two kids under my belt and having not ridden a bike for the better part of 5 years, I had slowed my pace right back down to general stretching for mobility and back pain. I decided to turn this requirement to keep moving into something I could do to help others while raising my kids. So, I became a Yoga teacher! I cannot rave enough about how amazing yoga is for the mind, body and soul. It helped me heal sciatic nerve pain, has improved my self-worth and the breathwork has been invaluable for my parenting. Yoga as a first step into gaining movement in your life again is perfect, and from there you can build. However, despite the mobility and strength I had, I was fairly sure I couldn’t run down my driveway to catch the mailman if I needed and I often missed the adrenaline I used to have to pump through my veins.

At 31 I found myself needing something that helped me socialise, challenged me and helped me get some of that energy back. For those that aren’t aware, exercise or movement helps the brain release endorphins, dopamine and all the happy feel-good vibes. It’s all about getting your heart rate up and the blood moving, safely and healthily for you as an individual. I asked around searching my rural area to see what was available and the only team activity that fit my schedule was … tennis. Had I ever dreamed of playing tennis? Never. Do I love it? 100%.

When I started I had not a clue what I was doing, except that I could kind of hit the ball. It challenged my mind to learn a new game, new rules and how best to use movement to achieve points. I learnt to play doubles, sharing the space with a partner and after my fourth game, I honestly felt like I was starting to get it. I got the socialising I was craving, I got to let off some steam in a sport that wasn’t for work or kids and I felt accomplished because my 30+ body was more than capable of rebuilding that fitness. I know it sounds crazy, but feeling accomplished in this way, actually helped me feel capable in every other area of my life.

I have different activities on my bucket list that I know, hands down I am not fit enough to go out and smash in one day, but my journey has shown me that it takes time, patience and a willingness to learn. Train and try different things, be upfront about your abilities and ask for help in learning. No one expects you to be amazing and my favourite thing to ask myself when I start to judge my ability, is: “In comparison to who?” and “Why?”.

You don’t have to be sporty to play a sport. You don’t have to be fit to try something new and IF you are scared of people judging you, I’m telling you right now, that people love to share their passions with others. The idea that they can bring someone new into the sport or activity they thrive in, makes their passion for it grow, especially when you start to thrive too. It wasn’t younger more fit women teaching me to play tennis, it was an amazing, inspirational older group of farmers, professionals and mothers who have a completely different fitness level from each other. There was no judgement, just good times and lots of laughter.

I’m another year older now and I just ticked snowboarding in Japan off my bucket list. If dipping my toes into sport and fitness has taught me one thing, it’s that you are never too old or too unfit. When you try something for the first time, chat with your healthcare provider and just take it at your own pace, push yourself because you want to learn new things. Also, utilise stretching and yoga, heat rub and warm magnesium baths to ease your aching body. Learning to snowboard was hard, it hurt, I cried many times and I felt like giving up. In the end, I kicked a** at it by my standards, no one else’s. When you take the step to bring more movement activities into your life, I have no doubt you are going to nail it.

Leila Verban, Our Expert

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Leila Verban is a creative writer and a qualified Yoga teacher who is the sole owner of Earth Side Yoga. Situated at the base of the Eungella Range, she continues to evolve her practice and refine her skills to incorporate counselling, meditation, energy healing and positive manifestation.