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Over 40 Fitness
Over 40 fitness programs are growing in popularity as more people
realize it's never too late to get fit and healthy. Here are
10 tips that will help anyone over 40 start and maintain a fitness
program.
1. Check with your doctor.
If you have any existing health conditions (high blood pressure,
heart trouble, diabetes etc.) or you've been inactive for a long time,
you need to get medical clearance before starting an over 40 fitness
program.
2. Set goals.
Goal setting has been scientifically proven to work. Goals produce
action. Goals create energy and motivation. Goals keep you focused.
Visit the Effective Goal Setting
page for more information on goal setting.
3. Develop a healthy eating plan.
Having a healthy eating plan is just as important as having a regular
exercise routine when it comes to getting and staying fit and healthy.
Visit the Creating a Healthy Eating Plan
page for more information on developing a healthy eating plan.
4. Start slowly and be patient.
Don't push yourself too hard too fast. You have to start slowly and be
patient. Don't expect immediate or dramatic changes in your body shape or
weight. Getting fit and healthy is not an overnight proposition, it's a
lifestyle commitment.
5. Be consistent.
Once you start an over 40 fitness program, you have to follow it on a
consistent basis if you want to derive any real benefits from it.
6. Warm up before exercising.
Warming up before exercising is especially important when you're older
since you're more susceptible to injuries than when you were younger.
Warming up stimulates blood flow to your muscles, increases your joint
flexibility, and gets you mentally prepared for your workout. Do several
minutes of easy aerobic exercise prior to more intense aerobic exercise.
Do one or more light sets of each weight lifting exercise before using
heavier weights.
7. Don't stretch cold muscles.
Stretching cold muscles can cause injury. Warm up first, then stretch.
Or stretch after your workout. Visit the
Proper Stretching Techniques
page for more information on stretching.
8. Use proper form and technique when lifting weights.
Using proper form and technique when lifting weights is especially important
when you're older since you're more susceptible to injuries than when you were
younger. Use muscle power, not momentum, when lifting weights. Don't heave,
swing or bounce the weight. Lift and lower the weight in a controlled manner.
Visit the Strength Training Guidelines
page for more information on weight lifting.
9. Give yourself enough recovery time after exercising.
As you age, you need more recovery time after exercising. Give your body the
time it needs to rest and recover from your workouts and it will get stronger
and healthier.
10. Enjoy yourself.
A fitness program has to be enjoyable if it's going to become a regular part
of your life. When you first start a fitness program, especially when you're
older, you may think it's a chore. But the more you keep at it the more enjoyable
it will become.
In conclusion, don't let age slow you down. An over 40 fitness program will
help you stay fit and healthy regardless of how old you are.
Recommended Resource
Fit Over 40 contains plenty of information,
advice and motivation that can help anyone over 40 get fit and healthy and slow
down the aging process. Read my review of Fit Over 40
Leave the Over 40 Fitness page and return to the Antiaging Articles page
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