I was watching TikTok the other day and saw a clip from Dr Peter Attia. He said something that caught my attention and made me want to make a video and blog about it, because I think it is an important concept to understand (especially as we age).
Dr. Peter Attia said, “The name of the game as you get older is to never leave the game”.
It’s a powerful reminder that as we age, the goal isn’t to stop moving or exercising, it’s to adapt, adjust, and keep finding ways to stay in the game.
When you are in your 20s, a few tweaks here or there are okay and generally you can recover quickly. As you get older though, things may not improve as quickly, and it may be a whole lot harder to get back in the game if you are forced out of it.
Dr. Peter Attia said, “The name of the game as you get older is to never leave the game”.
It’s a powerful reminder that as we age, the goal isn’t to stop moving or exercising, it’s to adapt, adjust, and keep finding ways to stay in the game.
When you are in your 20s, a few tweaks here or there are okay and generally you can recover quickly. As you get older though, things may not improve as quickly, and it may be a whole lot harder to get back in the game if you are forced out of it.
Aging Doesn’t Mean Stopping
Many people believe that getting older automatically means slowing down, giving up exercise, or accepting pain and stiffness as “normal.” But that’s not the whole story.
Yes, our bodies change with age. Joints might feel stiffer, recovery takes a little longer, and we might not tolerate the same intensity we once did. But none of that means we should stop moving. In fact, the opposite is true, staying active is one of the best ways to protect your health, independence, and quality of life as the years go on.
Related: How many steps a day should you do? Here is what the research says
Yes, our bodies change with age. Joints might feel stiffer, recovery takes a little longer, and we might not tolerate the same intensity we once did. But none of that means we should stop moving. In fact, the opposite is true, staying active is one of the best ways to protect your health, independence, and quality of life as the years go on.
Related: How many steps a day should you do? Here is what the research says
Adapt the Game to Stay in It
The key is being smart and making sure we can stay in the game long term. As we age and our bodies change, so should our approach to movement. That might mean:
Related: Why interval walking training could be the missing piece of your fitness routine
- Adjusting your exercise routine. Swapping heavy lifting for lighter weights with higher reps, or choosing low-impact cardio over high-impact running.
- Prioritising mobility and flexibility. Incorporating stretching, yoga, or mobility drills to keep joints moving well.
- Walking more. One of the simplest, most underrated ways to stay active and support both physical and mental health.
- Listening to your body. Recognising when to push and when to pull back, so you can train consistently without breaking down.
Related: Why interval walking training could be the missing piece of your fitness routine
Why It Matters
You have probably heard about how hip fractures in the elderly usually don’t have a good outcome. In a 2019 study, it showed that the 1-year mortality rate following a hip fracture was 21-22%. One of the reasons why this is so high, is that when you fracture a hip, you lose your mobility.
When people stop moving altogether, their bodies decondition quickly. Strength fades, balance suffers, and everyday activities become harder. But when you adapt and keep moving, you preserve muscle, bone strength, cardiovascular health, and your independence.
That’s the essence of Attia’s message: it’s not about winning the game; it’s about staying in it for the long term.
When people stop moving altogether, their bodies decondition quickly. Strength fades, balance suffers, and everyday activities become harder. But when you adapt and keep moving, you preserve muscle, bone strength, cardiovascular health, and your independence.
That’s the essence of Attia’s message: it’s not about winning the game; it’s about staying in it for the long term.
Final Thoughts
Getting older doesn’t mean giving up the activities you love, it just means playing smarter.
The goal is not to be the strongest, fastest, or most flexible person in the room. The goal is to keep showing up, keep moving, and keep your body resilient enough to do the things that matter most to you.
If you are struggling to stay in the game because of an injury, or you want to be proactive and increase your odds of staying the game long term, chiropractic care may be an option for you.
If you live in Greenhithe, Hobsonville or Whenuapai and would like to make an appointment for a comprehensive chiropractic assessment, you can book online here. Alternatively, if you have some questions, or aren’t sure if chiropractic care is right for you, then feel free to give me a call at the clinic and I will answer them for you.
The goal is not to be the strongest, fastest, or most flexible person in the room. The goal is to keep showing up, keep moving, and keep your body resilient enough to do the things that matter most to you.
If you are struggling to stay in the game because of an injury, or you want to be proactive and increase your odds of staying the game long term, chiropractic care may be an option for you.
If you live in Greenhithe, Hobsonville or Whenuapai and would like to make an appointment for a comprehensive chiropractic assessment, you can book online here. Alternatively, if you have some questions, or aren’t sure if chiropractic care is right for you, then feel free to give me a call at the clinic and I will answer them for you.
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