Fracture-Proof Your Bones— Why Strength is the Ultimate Anti-Aging Strategy
- Jill Sakolove Ortiz
- Jul 24
- 3 min read
This past weekend, I had a powerful conversation with my Aunt Margie. She’s in her mid-80s and recently suffered another devastating fall. She’s now recovering from surgery — again — and navigating a long road of rehab.
And she said something to me that I’ll never forget:
“Don’t get old, Jilly. And whatever you do — don’t fall.”
Her words were heartbreaking — but they were also a massive wake-up call. Because the truth is: falls are not just an unfortunate part of aging… they’re a preventable consequence of what we don’t do earlier in life.
💥 The Silent Threat No One Talks About
I’ve been diving into the book Fracture-Proof by Dr. John Neustadt, and here’s what shook me:
1 in 2 women over 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis.
These fractures often don’t come from extreme accidents — they happen during everyday tasks: walking downstairs, reaching too far, slipping slightly.
Most people focus on calcium, but the real root cause includes:
Weak and shrinking muscle (sarcopenia)
Poor balance and reaction time
Blood sugar instability
Mitochondrial dysfunction (your cellular energy production)
This is the stuff that doesn’t show up in selfies. But it shows up in your ability to walk, stand, lift, and live independently as you age.
🧠 A Shift in Motivation: From Vanity to Vitality
Let’s be honest — most women over 40 are told to chase youth. We’re bombarded with promises to “look 20 again” and “drop 10 pounds fast.”
But here’s what we really need:
Strength to carry groceries without pain.
Balance to confidently walk across icy driveways.
Energy to hike, dance, travel, and enjoy our lives without limitation.
This is what I help women build in my Empowered Fitness Mastery Coaching Program — and this is the kind of motivation that actually sticks.
It’s not about looking “perfect.” It’s about staying powerful.
Check out this very cool share from one of my Program Participants...
💪 My Mission: Fracture-Proof Fitness
The solution to all of this isn’t a pill or quick fix. It’s muscle. Strength training is the most effective anti-aging tool we have.
In my program, we focus on:
Building lean muscle (no, it’s not bulky!)
Enhancing stability and joint protection
Improving metabolic function
Creating a plan you can actually stick with long-term
You don’t need to be a body builder, You just need to be a woman who’s ready to take care of her future self — starting now.
📌 By the Numbers - Don't think you're Immune to Fractures
Every 30 seconds someone, somewhere suffers a bone fracture from osteoporosis.
Hip fractures in the U.S. today outpace hospitalizations for diabetes, heart disease, and breast cancer combined.
Bone density scans only pick up about 44% of future risk in women.
A hip fracture carries a 6‑month mortality rate of about 13.5%, and nearly the same percentage lose full independence.
“Dr. Neustadt reminds us that fractures happen more often than cancer — and women are just as likely to break a bone as they are to develop breast, uterine, or ovarian cancer. But most women hear the message: take calcium and move on. The truth? Bone density tests only predict 44% of women who will break a bone. So behind the scenes, bones are failing long before we see it.”
🙌 Let these numbers and My Aunt Margie’s Story Be Your Wake-Up Call
Don't wait for a fall, a break, or a setback to force you into slowing down.
Make the choice now to age on your terms — strong, energized, and capable.
If you’re over 40 and feeling stuck, drained, or unsure where to begin — I’d love to invite you to learn more about my Empowered Fitness Mastery Program.
You don’t need to age fragile. You can age powerfully.
Let’s fracture-proof your future — together.
p.s. GET THIS BOOK! (I listened on Audibles)
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