Anti-aging Fitness Plan: Optimal Exercise for Each Decade

For your 40’s

Many people notice physical changes beginning in their 40s as hormones shift and metabolism begins to slow. And it’s a real bummer when you start to figure out that gravity is what’s doing it and she ain’t even close to done yet. While these changes can feel frustrating, they are a normal part of the aging process.

Gravity is going to win. That’s a sad fact. But you’re still plenty young, and it’s never too late to begin or renew, your relationship with your body.

Your 40’s are a veritable roller coaster ride of hormones, bizarre aches and pains, and random fat deposits. Please don’t let this get you down. Please. This is a good time to focus on weight-bearing exercise to help maintain muscle and support metabolism. more so than you may have had to in the past. That doesn't mean necessarily cutting out calories, as it does taking in the right ones that coach your body to feel, move, and look better with each passing year.

The composition of your body is changing, that’s a biological fact, but it doesn’t need to torpedo your overall health. In fact, it can help keep you on the straight and narrow IF you give it what it needs to thrive. (1)

Your 50’s and 60’s

In your 50s and 60s, it becomes even more important to stay active despite occasional aches and stiffness. It can be tempting to become more sedentary, but maintaining regular movement is essential for long-term health.

If you've already had a lifetime of healthy habits...good for you! However, if you're looking into exercise for the first time, it's important that you use functional strength moves that will take you safely and strongly into the next part of life!

Your knees may also suggest that couch time is in order, so it’s another great time to reassess what you’ve been doing for exercise and modify it as necessary.

Balance and flexibility are no longer negotiable, so yoga, tai chi, and these kinds of activities will help with that. While these are kind to your joints, the most kindness to your joints can be had with no impact at all, in activities such as swimming.

However, as we age we lose a great deal of muscle each year, so maintaining good posture becomes increasingly important, and that you do movements that build and preserve lean muscle tissue.

If you want a great workout that has no impact and still gets your body moving?

Swimming and water aerobics are excellent low-impact options that help keep the body moving while being gentle on the joints. (1)

Your 70’s and beyond

Maintaining a healthy relationship with your body has served you well in life, and will be key as you move forward. Focus on what feels good and empowering to you. Try dancing… perhaps ballroom dancing, or maybe it’s time to finally take up the Tango. Maintaining regular movement can help support independence and mobility as you move through your later years. Enjoy it. Many people can’t say they’re so comfortable in their bodies by their 70’s, but you aren’t one of those people. Well done. 

Regular exercise is linked to a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even cancer.

Regular exercise has also been linked to improved mood and emotional well-being, so keep moving so that you can not only feel good, but so that you can take care of yourself, and others too as you love to do!

It’s widely believed that a lot of common symptoms of aging are made worse with inactivity. So, no matter where you are on your fitness journey… get up, and stand up straight with your chest up, and belly pulled in tight!

This is also the time where weakness and frailty are noticed. Supporting muscle health becomes especially important during this stage of life. AgelessLX is designed to help support the body’s ability to maintain lean muscle as we age.

And never forget...simply getting off the couch and moving throughout the day,  will go a long way toward staving off the effects of aging. Even small amounts of movement throughout the day can make a meaningful difference.