Sew It Begins

Getting off the floor isn't just a flexibility problem. It's one of the strongest predictors of how long you'll live independently.

This 30-second test shows exactly where you stand, and what to do about it.

This test is not based on theory, but on science. Researchers tested 4,282 adults aged 46–75.

The challenge?
Sit down on the floor…
Then stand back up again.

Then they tracked who stayed healthiest over the next 12 years.

The people who struggled most getting off the floor had:
❌ Nearly 4x higher risk of dying early
❌ Up to 6x higher risk of heart-related death

Not because the test was “magic”…
Because it exposed how fast the body was ageing.

The reason why this movement is so important is that getting off the floor requires almost EVERYTHING we lose with age:
✔ Leg strength
✔ Balance
✔ Mobility
✔ Coordination

It’s basically a full-body ageing test.

Most people don’t notice these abilities fading until:
🪑 Chairs feel harder
🪜 Stairs become slower
🚶 Walking confidence drops
🛑 Falls become a real fear

By then, weakness has usually been building for years.

The good news is that this decline is usually reversible. You just need to retrain the movements your body stops practising. 👇

🔸 Exercise 1: Sit-to-Stands
This rebuilds the exact leg strength needed to get off the floor independently.

How:
• Sit tall in a chair
• Stand without using your hands
• Lower slowly with control
➡️ 10 reps, 3 sets

If this feels hard… this is the exercise you need MOST.

🔸 Exercise 2: Half-Kneel to Stand
One of the BEST exercises for maintaining independence after 60.

How:
• Start kneeling with one foot forward
• Push through the front heel to stand
• Lower slowly
➡️ 5–8 reps each side

This trains strength, balance AND floor confidence together.

🔸 Exercise 3: Tandem Balance Hold
Because strength without balance still leads to falls.

How:
• Stand heel-to-toe
• Stay tall and steady
• Swap sides
➡️ 30 seconds each side

Balance is trainable at ANY age.

I created a free Stronger for Life Roadmap to help people over 50:
✔ Rebuild strength
✔ Improve balance
✔ Move confidently again

It includes the exact exercises we use with clients struggling with weakness, stiffness and mobility decline.

💬 Comment "ROADMAP" and I’ll send it to you.

A good use of scraps as filling.

What a week! Hope you’re all having a good one!
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We’ve been busy busy bees over here 🐝
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Back in the recording studio for Sewing Club Podcast - new episode and YouTube video releasing soon.
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We’re about to release a bunch of new label designs and restocking all of your favourites in our new paper packaging.
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Finalising the advent calendars for this year.
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We’ve been a lil quiet on here but have loads to share soon xx

It's not to late to sign up for this beautiful and unique workshop! Still a couple of spots left June 16th and 17th.

Paisley Fish designed and taught by Jane Steele of River House Rug Hooking

REPAIR CAFE
June 13 at St. Andrew's church on Fitzwilliam.
From 1-4 pm
There is a sewing machine repair guy there. His name is Alex.

Nanaimo quilt guild show. Friday May 29 and Saturday May 30.

It begins! And as always, many hands make light work....

It's setup day for our quilt show! Mayor Krog will be on hand to open the show for us tomorrow (Friday) morning at 10:00 a.m., be there nice and early!
A few samples of the hundreds of quilts we donate to the community each year are on display as well at Country Club Mall.