As you reach the age of 50, the importance of regular exercise grows. Leading an active lifestyle and keeping fit helps you to fight off serious illness, increases your stamina, lifts your mood, and enables you to stay independent for longer as you age. However, starting a fitness regime after the age of 50 can be a challenge if you are not used to exercising. Here’s how to begin a fitness plan that meets your needs.
Post-50 Beginners Plan
- Have a checkup with your doctor or an overall health test to identify any problem areas you can deal with, and any physical activities that you should avoid. This is important at any age if you are new to exercise or starting a different activity.
- Consider your existing health when you are planning which activities to do. You need to consider which activities will be most beneficial, and also how you are going to manage other health conditions, for example diabetes, with an eating plan plus an exercise plan.
- Start slowly. You can build up the intensity and frequency of your workouts, which is better than trying to do too much, too soon, and suffering an injury or exhaustion. If you are new to exercise then start by doing 10 minutes at a time, or take part in one fitness class every week.
- Warm up before your exercise session and cool down afterwards. Gently bring your heart rate up with some walking or jogging, and stretch your muscles.
- Try to keep your motivation up and continue with the exercise plan for at least four weeks so you are more likely to stick with it. If you feel your interest and motivation disappearing, exercise with a friend to encourage each other, try a different activity, or focus on meeting small goals that show how much you are progressing.
- If you feel sick or your body starts to hurt, stop and assess the pain. Rest if you are injured and take time out after illness to fully recover.
Benefits of Post-50 Fitness
Consider these benefits if you don’t feel like working out:
- Lose weight – exercise helps you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight as you get older.
- Avoid chronic disease – lower your chances of suffering from heart disease, osteoporosis, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes.
- Maintain flexibility and mobility.
- Improve your sleep.
- Boost your mood and your self-confidence.