Nutrition

Many participants will announce their limitations for the day as they walk into class. In most classes there is at least one, “I’m REALLY tired today.” And another, “Me Too!” As neuroplasticity and the reality that “Your words create your world” would have it - the stage is then set for a low-energy class and for others notice that they are in fact, also, tired.

One particular day as participants began sitting down, discontinuing their participation, declaring they’ve had enough exercise for today (really? we’ve been at this for 15 minutes and are barely warmed up!) I asked them two questions, What have you had to drink today? What have you had to eat today? It was by now 10:15am and they were here to exercise.

I then continued to ask the same questions at many subsequent classes, here are the most common answers:

What have you had to drink?

nothing.

coffee.

a few sips of water to take my meds.

What have you had to eat?

nothing.

toast.

a scrambled egg or egg white omelet.

—- This is Colorado, an arid environment. You wake up dehydrated. Drink some water. If you’re drinking plenty of water and still don’t have any snap, drink some electrolytes to help your body maintain balanced hydration. These are a function of education, reminders and providing options for healthy electrolytes.

—- Further pursuit of what food had been taken in revealed a very low overall intake of high quality protein, not just in their breakfast. And there I was asking them to exercise, lift weights and build muscle. What if they all had organic eggs, protein powder, sliced turkey, ground beef, greek yogurt, lentils and beans?

At a minimum, elders need the knowledge of what their body needs to provide energy and building blocks for strength. Optimally, at least those in lower income housing situations could be provided the resources as well.