Top Three Secrets To Staying Fit After 40
When it comes to staying fit after 40 - it’s vital that we adjust our exercise routine to match where we’re currently at. What worked in our 20’s and 30’s isn’t going to be what works in our 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. We’ve put more miles on our body. Our bodies are a bit slower to recover. We’ve most likely dealt with a greater number of injuries which creates a fear or worry about returning to exercise.
In this weeks article we cover the top three secrets you can implement today to help you stay fit - so you can continue to do the things you love - after the age of 40 and beyond.
1) Prioritize Form and Function
A simple truth is that we can’t stay fit if we can’t stay active. And we can’t stay active if we’re dealing with nagging aches and pains that keep us from our exercise routine, or we’re scared of reaggravating previous pain and injury.
In order to stay fit after 40 we first need to feel SAFE. And to feel safe, we have to make FORM and FUNCTION of our routine a priority. We need to learn to coordinate our movements in a way that places less stress on our joints and muscles so that we can continue to stay active without pain.
2) Keep Your Goals in Mind
As we age our goals for our fitness and exercise routine change - which means that if our fitness routine doesn’t change, we maye be in trouble. While every person’s goal is going to be different and easy example we see all the time is with our runners. In their 20’s and 30’s their goals may be something more like ‘I want to run at a 7 minute mile pace. In our 40’s, 50’s and 60’s our goals tend to center more around making sure we are able to run for the next 10 years without pain or injury.
If we keep trying to run 7 minute miles and our bodies can’t support it, we’re going to end up with nagging aches and pains which brings us back to reason #1 (unable to stay active because of pain or worry of re-aggravating an injury) - which we don’t want.
In order to stay fit after 40 - really ask yourself what you want to achieve with your exercise routine and make sure your routine matches that goal.
3) Have a Plan
Clear goals get clear results. If you don’t have a plan put in place you will get stuck. We need a plan. Having a plan gives us a roadmap to get the outcome we want. It provides a certain level of confidence that keeps us accountable and provides motivation to keep going. It also ensures that we’re not ‘wasting’ effort on things that won’t lead us closer to the outcome we want.
In short: As we age - we need to be more thoughtful about our exercise routine. We see it everyday at the clinic and have made it our mission to help people overcome pain so they can continue to do what they love, and live their life without limitations.
At Evolve we specialize in creating plans specifically designed to keep you active and strong well beyond your 40’s so that you can continue to do what you love without being limited due to pain. If you are dealing with aches and pains that keep your from being as active as you would like - speak to one of our specialists for free to see if we can help
Evolve Performance Healthcare specializes in helping adults aged 40+ become active and strong so they can continue to do what they love and live their life without any limitations from physical pain.