Your Bodies Super

In the last year I got into investing. Not exactly sure why, but probably a mix of having basically no super and never really having had a lucrative career and I need to think about what future Lawrence’s life looks like.

Now they don’t teach you this stuff at school, they should, but they don’t. Anyway, there is an array of online calculator and tools you can use to forcast what your investment growth will look like over time with compounding interest etc.. blah blah blah. 

Anyway, the thing that stood out the most to me was that if I started doing this years ago, in my twenties, even early thirties, by retirement i’d be in such a stronger position. But, it’s never too late to start, as the old saying goes, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, but the next best time is today.

I’m sure you can see where I’m going with this. The body, our muscle and bones work in a similar way. If you can capitalise on the best growth stage in your teens and twenties and lay the foundation of bone and muscle, you’ll be in the best position in you 70s - if you keep it up - but if not, then you need to start today.

It’s never too late, working on keeping your bones density, keeping and building muscle, is your bodies superannuation. If you make you body do a squat, a few times a week, with weight, you’re signalling your body, your muscles and nervous system that you had better be able to do that. Your body understands that this is required from it so it better build muscle to do this more efficiently and to be able to keep up with the stress your placing on it - a good kind of stress might I add.

When you’re stronger, carrying groceries isn’t as hard, picking up the kids is easier, and moving furniture doesn’t feel like a risk, or you don’t need to ask for help. 

Strength training makes normal life lighter.

Muscle changes everything, your metabolism, your injury resilience, energy levels, hormone health and longevity. Just ask a nurse or doctor about one of the main reason older people come into A&E?

Falls, it’s always falls. 

Having strength to catch yourself, strong enough bones that won’t break under a fall or strong enough muscles to land under load reduces this risk hugely.

Most women are told to just burn calories, i’m not massively into that messaging but if you want to go toe to toe with that, then you know what burns more calories at rest is just having more muscle, as muscle is more metabolically active. Plus, it’s just cool to be strong and capable, and the thing that is the absolute goat, confidence!

Much like compounding interest, 1 workout isn't going to change all that much, but 3 workouts, every week, for a year or 5 years, or even 20 years, that's when you become the best version of yourself. No amount of financial investing will buy me my health, I'll just have to do that the old fashioned work hard way.

I’m an advocate for all forms of exercise as I think in general we need to be moving more and I think you’ll always stick to what you enjoy, but I do believe there should always be some element of strength training in there, no matter how big or small. Anyway, start building your bodies Super.

Lawrence x