Getting Fit: Better Late Than Never
It’s never too late to start, and that quote also adheres to fitness.
There are a lot of reasons why, as we age, we become more inactive or not even bother to try.
It could be due to pain and health issues, worries of accidents, or perhaps the thought of doing it wrong.
We should know that exercise improves both our physical and mental health, making exercise more important as we get older.
Here are five reasons why you must commit to getting fit now that not starting at all:
Weight. Maintaining a healthy weight can become a challenge because our metabolism slows down as we age. But with exercise, our metabolism increases, our body produces muscle mass and burn more calories.
Illness impact. When you workout daily, your immune and digestive functions improves. Also, it lowers risks of illness such as diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis and heart diseases.
Body movement. Thanks to exercise, you can enhance your strength, endurance and flexibility, as well as your posture.
Brain functions. Becoming active improves the brain function, helping to prevent memory loss and prevents the progression of brain disorders.
Mood and self-esteem. Exercise makes you feel stronger and more self-confident. It releases endorphins which help reduce feelings of sadness, depression, and anxiety. Also, exercise is known to be a major stress reliever.
It’s understandable that if you’ve never exercised before, it could be difficult to begin. Here are some ideas that will help you bring fitness into your life.
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Focus on short-term goals. Seeking reasons to be more active keeps you focused. But start with non-scale goals such as boosting energy levels and enhancing your mood, instead of long-term goals like drastic weight loss. The feeling of fulfilling short-term goals can inspire you to achieve more.
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Build a balanced plan. Mix different types of activities depending on what you enjoy doing. Develop workout routines based on the three main fitness components: Core (involve your ab muscles), Cardio (bodyweight exercises that increase your heart rate), Strength (any type of weights or even exercises using your own body against gravity, like push ups).
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Start Slowly. As you age, your body recovery slows down. So if you’re going to try a fitness regimen for the first time, concentrate on low-intensity activities that won’t leave you injured.
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Find support and motivation. Work out with your loved ones who want to pursue being fit as well but can’t find the encouragement they need, or join a fitness group where you’ll meet people who can help you improve.
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Reward yourself. After accomplishing a workout routine or reaching a fitness goal, reward yourself with what you’re looking forward to such as a warm relaxing bath or a nice healthy meal.
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Listen to your body. You may experience fatigue and muscle pain after your first try, but your body will adjust over time and feel less pain. Rest, water and a balanced diet are the best way to deal with it.
There’s nothing wrong with starting your fitness journey at a later age.
Whether you’re in your 30’s or even 60’s, exercise will still be beneficial to your health, so go forth and start now!