Built to Move by Kelly and Juliet Starrett 4 stars

[Shelly]

Built to Move starts with the premise that humans are well, built to move, and movement is a foundation of physical and mental health. Many of us don't move, or don't move enough, and as a result, movement becomes even more difficult. But there is hope and many avenues to improve your mobility and improve performance or if you are like me, stay mobile as you age. The book presents 10 vital signs, a way to measure each vital sign, and suggestions for activities you can do or modifications to your environment you can make to improve that skill. For example, how low can you squat? how long can you balance on 1 foot? How much sleep do you get? The chapter on sitting was a real eye-opener. Keep track of how many hours a day you sit in a chair (that includes your car, your desk chair, your dining room chair and for this group, your reading chair). Yikes! Originally I got the book from the library but my husband bought a copy. The book is easy to digest by considering 1 skill at a time. It's not going to give you a structured plan to follow, because everyone has different capabilities and goals. It does have something to offer everyone, from weekend warriors to competitive athletes to Medicare recipients. There is much to think about. I am definitely incorporating some of the "mobilizations" that they suggest into my "wellness" plan.