Getting into the Best Shape of Your Life After 50: Tips and Inspiration
Fitness has no age limit. And life doesn’t end at fifty!
No matter what you may think, you can absolutely get into the best shape of your life after 50.
We’re even lucky at this age: the benefits of a regular fitness program are far more evident the older you are.
How’s that for revenge against the younger crowd?
And working to get yourself into amazing shape, builds not only muscle, but confidence.
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Confidence that can help you feel younger than what your age suggests.
As a bonus, exercise increases balance and coordination, can improve your mood, helps keep your bones strong and healthy. And helps you sleep better!
Stop Obsessing About Age
You know your age is just a number. Let’s all agree to feel amazing as we get older!
How about we pretend gyms don’t exist. How would you get in shape in the 21st century?
Especially if you’re an old broad over 50?
Yeah, those ideas will work for sure.
NOT.
So what can you really do? Are you destined to your over-50 frumpy life? Not on my watch, you’re not.
You can get into the best shape of your life at this age…and older. You just have to be smart and develop some habits.
Contrary to long-held belief, those of us over 50 (or 60) can gain muscle, lose fat, and look hot.
Go for it if hot is what you want!
Here’s some pics below of Christy Brinkley and Helen Mirren. The pictures are recent, and these women are 66 and 75.
Sure, both women are stars and wealthy and could have had some work done, but I’m going to go out on a limb here and say it doesn’t seem like Helen Mirren has had a facelift! She’s got wrinkles and everything and still looks fabulous.
If “hot” it not what you’re going for, don’t sweat it (as much)! You can just be healthy and pain-free well into your later years. Play with your grandkids, haul in those groceries, play tennis, surf, skydive, whatever you want!
Whatever your health and fitness goals, you can conquer them by always moving toward them.
Resist “All Or Nothing” Thinking
Even if we never arrive at some ultimate goal, as long as we’re moving in the right direction āļø we’re improving.
And no need to freak out if you make a boo-boo here and there. Just get right back on the horse and keep moving.
Setbacks are part of life. You can’t let them derail your progress.
Besides, using, “I ate a whole pizza” as an excuse to stop working toward your health and fitness has got to be one of the dumbest things ever!
But you know what? I think a lot of times we sabotage ourselves just so we CAN go back to the old, comfortable ways.
I know I’ve done dumb things like that before.
But here’s the key…you may feel comfortable in the moment, but what you’re really feeling is familiarity. Safety. And safety (in this sense) doesn’t usually get us where we want to go.
You get the picture, right?
Don’t Negotiate With Yourself!
Say you set out to make a new habit… Maybe walking on your treadmill for 15 minutes each weekday after work.
You go all gung-ho the first few days, and then on the 4th day you’re tired, hungry, and want a glass of wine.
You tell yourself, “I’ve been doing it for 3 days. One day off won’t hurt me!”
K. O. D. Kiss of death.
Just don’t do it! Don’t even give yourself the chance. Make the decision to do the 15 minutes every week day when you get home and just do it.
When you start to waver, just do the thing you don’t want to do (you know, the one you promised yourself you would do). The only way to break through your excuses is to start doing the thing you’re trying to rationalize away.
Action is the antidote to procrastination. If you don’t give in and just start doing, you’ll eventually build that habit too!
This simple thing alone will take you so far in building new good habits.
Note I said “simple.” Not, however, easy. It’s just one of those things you need to do.
Like, you get up every single day and take a shower (or every night if you’re one of those people).
You don’t negotiate with yourself about brushing your teeth…right?
Admit it…there are times you just want to fall into bed and skip it, I’m sure.
But it’s almost unthinkable to go to bed without that fresh feeling and the knowledge that all most of the food particles are removed from your teeth!
The point is, you just do it. You don’t negotiate with yourself.
Best Ways To Get & Stay Fit Over 50
The number one way is walking! Walking should be your go-to weight loss buddy. And guess what? Nearly everyone can do it.
While any sort of walking is good for you, if you want to lose weight and stay fit, brisk walking is the way to go.
Brisk walking is the kind that’s going to get you a little out of breath. You can vary brisk walking with slower paced walking for more of an interval effect.
The Magic 10,000 Steps
Surprisingly walking fast for about 20 minutes can net you nearly 3000 steps! If you’re going for the magic 10000 steps per day, just two 20-minute sessions a day can get you 3/5 of the way there.
Your regular daily activities should add another 2-3000 steps as well, and you’ve almost nailed it.
Note, however, that the 10,000 steps recommendation is not based on science. It’s just a benchmark, and not an absolute must. If you get an extra 5000 or so steps in a day above and beyond your normal activity, that will add a BIG benefit to your health.
The simple step counter pictured above is inexpensive and easily carried in a pocket, clipped somewhere on your clothing, or on a lanyard (included). I have found it to be very accurate.
Walking on a treadmill, especially up hills is an excellent form of exercise. Here’s one way to do that.
Also, check Youtube! There are some really good videos for getting in your steps in a fun way:
And there a jillion free walking videos from Leslie Sansone as well for every length and number of steps imaginable.
No, Virginia, Life Doesn’t End At Fifty
If you’ve been lamenting life after 50 like it’s the end, cheer up, my friend! Not only is it not the end, it can be a totally new beginning.
At 52, I remarried and truly began a new life. I was in my best shape EVER in my late 50s. I mean ever, baby.
Yes, some things derailed me a bit around age 60 and I’m still working to get back into super-duper shape at 64, but I’m making slow and steady progress, which is the kind that sticks around for the long haul.
Instead of dreading growing old, rethink those old tapes your brain plays for you over and over and over again.
Get some new thoughts in there, and once you do, you’ll be heading for your very own amazing Phase Two!
Phase Two Fitness
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