Little did I know that I’d actually use all those items over the next decade!
I learned the hard way that staying fit required more focus and creativity as I got older.
The good news is that reaping the benefits of fitness over 50 is well worth the effort.
What should my fitness routine look like?
“The ideal form of exercise for you is something you actually do!”
Don’t exclude high-intensity exercise.
Aim for an exercise routine that combines moderate- and high-intensity workouts.
High intensity means that you have difficulty talking while performing an exercise.
It takes longer to burn fat and build muscle as we age.
Many of us have already experienced this shift and have tried to modify our food intake accordinglyno fun!
A workout routine that includes strenuous exercise is a great way to fight this harsh reality.
Recovery time is longer the older we get.
Be kind to your body.
Getting enough sleep helps with recovery as well.
Blend endurance, strength, and flexibility training.
A varied workout routine is not only more interesting but also much more important as we get older.
When we’re young, it’s easier to get away with skipping one of these types of training.
Build muscle to avoid injury.
Adults lose between 5 and 7 pounds of muscle every decade after age 20.
Recent research indicates that inactivity is responsible for the majority of muscle loss associated with age.
Fortunately, resistance exercise can reverse much of this decline by increasing the size of shrunken muscle fibers.
So, get out there and lift some weights!
Stretch and exercise to maintain flexibility.
Structural integration practitioner Ruthie Fraser, the author ofStackYourBones, emphasizes that stretching is key.
Getting older doesn’t have to hurt.
If you are strong and limber, you will feel 35, or even 20!
Treat yourself to massage and body work.
At this age, you’ve earned some pampering every now and then.
Carianne Russo, who does restorative body work, explains, “As we age, soft tissue hardens.
That’s why massage and stretching are so important to folks over 50.
Massage opens up the space that young people experience, and the body likes being in that space!”
Staying fit reduces anxiety and improves your mood.
Exercise and fitness also release chemicals thatimprove mood and sleepand reduce anxiety.
Aging can be stressful; exercise not only makes you look younger but also makes you feel better inside.
This is especially important for those going through menopause or other life-changing events.
Exercise helps your memory.
Early studies on yoga and cycling reveal this important link.
So it’s not just your muscles that work better by staying fit, but your brain, too!
Sitting is the new smoking, so keep moving!
Pilates guruNicole Meadors Keeganknows that movement is necessary and healing.
My students teach me about aging with grace.
One of my clients is 90.
I’ve taught him twice a week for the last decade.
Mentally, he is resilient and investigative.
Although he has moments of frustration, he is understanding of his body.
He is hopeful and steady.
A regular fitness regime is a challenge worth taking for your long-term physical and mental well-being.
Feeling vibrant and strong doesn’t have to be just for the young.
You’ve got this!
