Having a fit and ageless body is the first step in having an ageless lifestyle after 50. If you want to have the stamina and energy for an active day to day life you need to be fit. If your goal is to get in better shape for a big adventure trip, having an ageless body is needed to make the most of your adventure.
Here are 7 great tips to get you started:
1. Every body is different so pick a fitness program that suits your body and your personality. If you have a particular medical history that may not allow you to do certain types of exercise, take that into account when deciding on your choice of programs. If you’re putting together your own program, at least consult a qualified trainer to make sure you’re not going to hurt yourself. The last thing you want to do when you’re trying to get fit is to do a particular exercise program that could lead to frustration and injuries. Don’t push too hard, too fast.
2. Set realistic targets. Now that you know what type of program you want to do, look at your timeframe for getting in shape. Again, you may want to talk to a trainer that can look at your body and your current fitness level and give you a timeframe for the goal you have in mind. You don’t want to be frustrated by arbitrarily setting your mind into reshaping your body to climb a mountain in a month if your only form of exercise up until now has been walking.
Make sure the ageless body you’re moving toward is achievable and realistic given the time you have available to exercise on a weekly basis. The program you choose should also be practical. Check that there are people like you who have had success. Don’t let someone give you false hope of instant success. It’s important to be aware of any other blocks you may encounter in your daily life. For example, if you frequently find yourself needing to work late, a 5:00 spin class probably isn’t the best program for you.
3. Decide if your main goal is to tone, get flexible or build muscle. Remember when you build muscle mass, you burn more calories and fat. Strength training is recommend for most people, but always check with your doctor. Learn what exercises work on certain parts of your body. For overall toning and flexibility that’s easy on your joints, yoga and Pilates are great choices.
4. Be systematic on working on your major muscle groups. Your muscles should be working harder over time. Repeating the same sets of exercises and same weight without getting your muscles to work harder will not give satisfactory results. You can record your daily results and track your progress. A daily log will also motivate you since you are able to track how far you have come since you started your fitness program. It builds self-confidence since there’s written proof of what you’ve accomplished.
5. Perform a set of exercises in 10 repetitions to start out. You can work up to more reps or more weight slowly and steadily depending on if your goal is to tone or build muscle.
6. Be flexible and perform a variety of exercises. Every fitness program should have variety. You can change your exercises, goals and sets every month to keep you motivated. Doing this will help you prevent being bored.
7. Be Motivated! The best way to keep your energy level up is to allow a healthy competition with yourself. Keep raising the bar and keep challenging yourself.
Not all programs work for all types of people. There is no workout that is best for everyone. If you’re just starting out and not sure what type of program would be the best choice given your current body and level of fitness, consult a personal trainer to set up a program for you to follow.
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