Top fitness tips as we get older
It’s inevitable, we all get older. There are some key things you should remember whether you already incorporate fitness regularly into your lifestyle, or whether you are just starting out. Here are our top fitness tips to help with exercising as we get older.
Lose the comparisons
Top tip number 1 is to stop comparing yourself to other bodies. This includes not just other people, but also the body of your younger self. It can be exceptionally hard to accept that your body just can’t do what it used to be able to. But if you keep comparing where you’re at with where you were, it will only lead to negativity. You’ll put yourself off before you’ve got going. Take you body as it is now and create realistic goals for your body moving forwards. Be proud of everything you achieve from this point onwards.
Consistency is Queen
You’ve made a plan, you’re ready to smash your goals. You do 2 maybe 3 weeks of classes and workouts half killing yourself in the process. You decide this exercise thing just isn’t for you. Because it hurts your body way too much. Stop. Rewind. Start again. Little wins every day are the key to your fitness lifestyle. Start with 15minutes a day, build up to 30, and take it from there. You don’t have to lift heavy weights, you don’t have to run a 10k. Be kind to your body, treat it with respect. Take your workouts steadily and learn how to pace yourself for where your body is at.
Rest and regenerate
We’d be lying if we didn’t say that your body is going to feel the aftereffects of exercise more than when you were in your twenties. But that’s okay. Remember that your body is going to take a little longer to regenerate itself ready for the next workout. Fuel your body appropriately to help with this process. Get enough rest after your workout and maybe schedule in an extra “rest day” per week than you might be used to. You don’t want to be working out in a permanent state of exhaustion. Really listen to how your body feels and then with trial and error, you’ll be able to set a weekly schedule that works for you.
Take the pressure off
Unless you are training for a specific event, learn how to incorporate fitness into your life so that it enhances your daily routine. Let it be fun. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Fitness is here to make you feel good, not guilty. Aim for the balance in your week so that you’re not overdoing it, but so that you’re doing enough to feel the amazing benefits exercise gives you.
Written by Becky Barrett