Exercise Over 40
For some people, life begins after 40 and for some who are younger; it probably seems like the beginning of the end.
We certainly aren’t physically the same at +40 as we were at 20 and we definitely have more free time than we had in our 30’s. At +40, careers are established, children are either grown or vastly more independent than they were previously. It’s a perfect time to take the opportunity to start an exercise program.
But just because you’re suddenly blessed with some free time again doesn’t mean you should jump head first into doing sports and activities your body isn’t prepared for. You need to take plenty of precautions and set up a smart routine of activities that take into account your current physical condition and what you wish to accomplish.
As with most exercise regiments, the best thing you can do first is to visit your general physician. If you don’t have a doctor or haven’t been to see one in the past 12 months make an appointment for a complete physical before you decide to start any sort of serious or strenuous exercise. Now this doesn’t mean you can’t walk around the block or do some simple stretches but your doctor will have the best grasp of what your body can and can’t do and will be able to give you sound advice on where to begin. More importantly your doctor will provide you with essential numbers you should know – your blood pressure, waist measurement and cholesterol levels. (http://www.www.bodybreak.com/
Once you have the go-ahead, there are plenty of ways to keep yourself dedicated to your new regiment including making a schedule and remembering to mix things up. You might have loved riding a bike as a child but the odds are that it’ll grow boring or tedious at some point now that you’re an adult. So instead of biking five times a week, shoot for twice a week then a brisk walk/jog a couple days of week as well as weight training and a swim in the pool at the local health club for good measure.
Between the birthday cards and the not-so-subtle comments from your children and friends, you generally have no problem remembering you’re over 40, but sometimes in the high of a workout, you may tend to forget. Make sure to take things slowly, listen to your body and remember to take days off as your body will now need more time to repair and recover. It’s never too late to start.
Until Next Time, Keep Fit & Have Fun.
Hal & Joanne
“I started marathon training at age 49 and I’m still hooked as I approach 55” – Joanne
“I started to play more hockey in my mid-40’s and I still play with a mix of 20, 30 and 40 year olds .” – Hal, age 57
I just started marathon training at 45…just ran my furthest yesterday 30km. I am
going to the gym to weight train as well. Feeling proud!
I want to stay healthy 🙂
Good for you Wendy and remember nutrition is also the key. Keep Fit and Have Fun!!!
Great article to encourage the aging demograph to try new activities for their health. It doesn’t matter how old you are because in 5 years we will still be 5 years older. It only matters that we make the necessary modifications. I teach Zumba and had a a group of older ladies (in their 70-80 and 90’s!) none of them have ever done it before but had a blast and rocked…albeit in a chair but they tried something new, got some exercise and most importantly had fun.
I ran my first marathon in Las Vegas aged 42. (Never ran before but made the challenge) Living in UK it was such a buzz to do it…Nutrition is so key to the success….Good luck with it
I just had a baby at 40 so it is even more essential that I make time to exercise! But man, you don’t bounce back they way you do in your 20’s or even 30’s!!!
My mother is 85 She has scoliosis, stress fractures in her spine osteoarthritis and hypothyroidism. and she has no hearing at all in one ear and only 80 percent in the other.
She started working out when I was 21 when she saw me running. First she started running . She added other exercises into her routine as well such as weight training and yoga .She used to travel 1/2 hour to the gym to do weights and treadmill and rowing when she lived up north. Now she still goes to the gym every morning five days a week here here in Oakville.
She leaves the condo at 5:45 in the morning and she is the first one at the gym .
Anyone who is hearing impaired knows how difficult this is along with everything else she has.
Let’s stop complaining about our problems fitting in a workout and ” get fit so we can have fun “
Well said!! Hat’s off to you and your Mom.