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Getting Old or Neglect? Breaking the Cycle in Sioux Falls

Writer's picture: Dr. Lucas MarchandDr. Lucas Marchand

Updated: Dec 17, 2024


Here's an image to complement your blog post, featuring a person engaging in light exercises, symbolizing a healthier lifestyle in a park setting. It includes elements that reflect the shift from neglect to health and wellness, with subtle references to Sioux Falls.

As we go through life, many of us assume that aches, pains, and weight gain are just part of getting older. But what if it's not aging that's the problem? What if it's lifestyle neglect?


In Sioux Falls and beyond, the average adult faces these troubling realities:


The Average Adult:

  • Gains 10-15 pounds every 5 years.

  • Can't do a single pull-up.

  • Stares at screens for 5+ hours a day.

  • Eats more sugar than protein.

  • Tosses and turns all night, missing out on quality sleep.

  • Can't squat or deadlift their own body weight.

  • Walks fewer than 5,000 steps per day.

  • Hits the snooze button 3 times before finally getting up.

  • Piles on medications for lifestyle-related diseases.

  • Gets winded walking up a flight of stairs.

  • Watches their body decay year after year.

This isn't the inevitable result of aging—this is neglect. The good news? It's never too late to turn things around.


 

Why Are We Letting Ourselves Go?


Sedentary Lifestyles in Sioux Falls

With our screen time at an all-time high, many people in Sioux Falls (and everywhere) spend the majority of their day sitting. Whether it's at a desk job, on the couch, or scrolling on a phone, this inactivity is wreaking havoc on our health.

Poor Nutrition: More Sugar, Less Protein

Fast food, processed snacks, and sugar-loaded drinks have become the go-to for many. It's quick, convenient, and, unfortunately, nutritionally devastating. Protein, which helps maintain muscle mass and strength, often takes a backseat to sugar-laden foods.

Sleep Struggles

With all this stress, sugar, and screen time, it's no wonder so many of us are tossing and turning at night. Poor sleep not only leaves us exhausted but also contributes to weight gain, mood swings, and decreased physical performance.


 

The Consequences of Neglect

Neglecting your health leads to serious consequences. Gaining weight, losing muscle strength, and needing medications to manage lifestyle diseases aren’t signs of aging—they’re the results of lifestyle choices.

In Sioux Falls, many residents find themselves out of breath after a simple flight of stairs or unable to perform basic movements like squats or pull-ups. But these aren’t just minor inconveniences. Over time, they result in major issues such as:

  • Heart disease

  • Diabetes

  • Joint problems

  • Chronic fatigue

  • Depression

It Doesn’t Have to Be This Way

It’s easy to blame age, but the truth is that neglecting your health leads to preventable problems. The first step to reclaiming your life is recognizing that you can make changes, no matter your age or current fitness level.


 

How to Reverse the Damage in Sioux Falls


1. Get Active

You don’t need to become a fitness fanatic overnight, but adding more movement to your day is crucial. Start by:

  • Walking at least 8,000-10,000 steps a day.

  • Trying strength exercises like bodyweight squats, deadlifts, and pull-ups (even assisted ones).

  • Taking the stairs whenever you can.

2. Prioritize Protein

Swap out sugary snacks for protein-rich foods like chicken, eggs, fish, and plant-based protein sources. Your muscles (and waistline) will thank you.

3. Sleep Better

Focus on improving your sleep hygiene by cutting back on screen time before bed, creating a calm sleep environment, and going to bed at the same time each night.

4. Ditch the Meds, If Possible

Many lifestyle diseases like high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol can be reversed with improved diet and exercise. Talk to your healthcare provider in Sioux Falls about creating a plan to gradually reduce reliance on medications by making healthier choices.

5. Set Small, Achievable Goals

Start by making small changes—like walking a little more each day, reducing sugar intake, or trying a new exercise routine. As you build new habits, you’ll start to feel stronger, healthier, and more energized.

Sioux Falls: It’s Time to Take Control of Your Health

Getting old is inevitable, but neglecting your body doesn’t have to be. Whether you're gaining weight, losing strength, or dealing with lifestyle diseases, these aren’t signs of aging—they’re signs of a life that needs a little more care.

By committing to small, consistent changes, residents of Sioux Falls can fight back against the health decline that many accept as "just getting old." It’s time to take control, feel better, and live a longer, more vibrant life.


Lucas Marchand, DC - MyChiro, LLC


Portrait of Dr. Lucas Marchand

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Email: lucasmarchanddc@gmail.com

Phone: (605)201-4862

MyChiro, LLC

501 S. Stephen Ave

Sioux Falls, SD 57103

Medicare Beneficiary Notice: MyChiro, LLC is a private pay chiropractic service and does not participate in the Medicare program. Due to Medicare regulations, we are unable to provide house call services to Medicare beneficiaries, nor can we bill Medicare on behalf of Medicare patients. If you are a Medicare beneficiary, please consult a Medicare-approved provider to ensure your chiropractic care is covered. For questions, feel free to contact us.

Legal Notice: MyChiro, LLC is a registered business entity with the State of South Dakota. Dr. Lucas Marchand, DC, is a licensed chiropractor in the State of South Dakota, practicing under license number 1282, as issued by the South Dakota Board of Chiropractic Examiners. MyChiro, LLC operates in compliance with all applicable state and local regulations.

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