Change Your Age: A New Book Shows You How to Look Younger, Move Better

What's in a number? If you ask Frank Wildman that question he will say that your age is up to only one person: You

He wrote an amazing new book called "Change Your Age" and will conduct a workshop this weekend in Chicago to help midlifers move better.

When Wildman talks about changing your age, it's not about getting rid of a wrinkle or a fine line.

"I believe it's really possible to change your mobility age. And when you work on your mobility, you save yourself doctor bills and don't need to take pills," says Wildman who has trained clients from all over the world along with over 2,000 trainers.

He says you can "youth-ify" your body with simple and powerful exercises that are detailed in his book.  

"I'd like people to approach aging like an athlete or dancer. You train yourself to be more skillful and work on coordination."

YOUTH-IFY YOUR BODY

Wildman poses this question: "What does it mean now to be 47, 57 or 67 in terms of your aches, pains and ability to do simple movements?

"I don't want you to go through life thinking, 'Damn, it hurts to pick something up. Or I get this shooting pain in my back or buttocks when I climb the stairs.'

"I don't want you to think, 'There is this strange pain in my knee when I stand up.'"

Wildman can't fix it all, but his new program says that with some simple exercises you can work on turning back time.

 "As you get older, there is a certain loss of confidence and security. Gradually, people limit themselves. It's so gradual that you don't even realize it," Wildman says. "Suddenly, you're saying, 'I used to play tennis, but then I stopped because my knee or my hip hurt.'

"When I ask a client how long ago they stopped doing an activity, many are surprised to say, 'Well, it's been about 15 years,'" he says.

"People get to an age where they're worried about hurting themselves," he says. "What people don't realize is the source of a lot of these difficulties are foundational movements."

In his book, Wildman shows how simple stretching and re-learning basic moving techniques can make all the difference. He cautions this isn't about weight lifting or running miles on a treadmill.

"A lot of older people do age-inappropriate exercises," he says. "They lift weights that are too heavy or do routines seen in magazines that are designed for people in their 20s. Or they hire a trainer who puts them on the same routine that they create for someone who is 22.

"This causes Boomeritis, which is what happens to people who still exercise like they were 20 when they actually need to use lighter weights or shift their routines," Wildman says.

HOW TO CHANGE YOUR AGE

His book contains movements you might have done as a very young child. "The idea is to recapture your youthful movements that you stopped doing as a teenager. It's about getting back to basic coordination," he says. 

One technique is called "Grounding." Try this after getting your doc's OK.

While lying down on your back to ground yourself, feel a connection to the earth. Then lie on your back with your arms on the floor at the level of your shoulders and your legs long. Close your eyes. Roll your head a little bit from side to side. Rest your head on whatever side feels most comfortable. Recognizing which one it is helps understand your established habits.

It's just the first exercise of many to improve your coordination

"I watch how my clients stand up out of a chair. Do not push off a chair. Never use your hands. Just use your legs,'" he says. "By the end of the program, you will be getting down on the floor and working on getting up from there."

"Bad habits are practiced over decades to the point where you never get out of the chair without using your hands," he says. "Sitting and standing is a coordinating activity. How you do this also makes you appear younger to others."

He also cautions that you should watch all the sitting around.

"One of the hardest thing you can do for your spine at any age is to sit still in a chair," Wildman says. "There is pressure in the discs that build up much more from sitting than standing.

"Also, don't sit at a floppy angle," he advises. "And move if you've been in a position for too long."

Wildman says the age range of his workshops have surprised him. "A lot of 39-year-olds show up going, 'I want to feel great about turning 40 and not be afraid of it.'"

"It's about living stronger."

MORE INFORMATION:

Frank will host a Change Your Age Workshop in Chicago on October 22 and 23 at Loyola University. Registration can be found here. 

The workshop program is based on Frank Wildman's new book and DVD set