It's Never Too Late For Fitness

Sure, there are some things we can't do as we grow older, but there are a lot of things you and I can at least try and do.  It takes a healthy life attitude.  An attitude that puts together a mental picture of you accomplishing what you may think is the impossible.  You may not be able to run a mile in six minutes or even walk a mile in twenty minutes.  But if you can picture yourself doing it and go just a little faster every week you'll be amazed at how your time improves.  It is the result of a positive mental attitude about yourself.

But a positive mental attitude is just the fuel for giving yourself a long, healthy life.  You will need to create new or improved habits.  The first and probably the most of these new habits is strengthening the muscles.  I'm sure many of you have seen a boxing match that has gone into the late rounds.  The fighter that is the most conditioning will usually be the winner.  What has happened to the other fighter?  From a lack of strength training he can barely stand up or swing his arms.  Much the same as you grow older and have not done the proper conditioning.  A lack of strength and stability.

As we age strength is not the only thing that begins to diminish.  Without proper training aerobic fitness takes a dramatic drop.  Have you ever looked up a steep flight of stairs wondering how you were going to get to the top?  It's nice when those thoughts don't enter your mind.  If you're not sure about the hows or where to start, just begin walking.  Walk to the end of the block, or walk around the yard.  Anything to increase your heart rate a bit.  You'll be surprised how quickly you progress.

Losing flexibility and motion is natural as we get older, and the biggest cause of it is lack of muscle use.  Flexibility and motion will improve as you progress in your weight and aerobic training but stretching will be needed for the best results.  Stretching of all the muscle groups is ideal but you need to concentrate on those areas that are the least flexible.  Although the results of the research is mixed as to whether stretching can decrease the chances of injury, common sense says it is good for you.

No matter how hard and how much you do aerobics, weight train, or stretch the end result will be limited by what you are eating.  Nutrition is huge in living a long life and a healthy life.  To maintain your body weight the calories in must equal the calories you are burning.  If the calories in are exceeding the calories out and you are not exercising, weight will be put on.  But if your're eating more of the right calories and have a good fitness program in place your body will lose fat and gain muscle mass.  This does not mean you will look like a bodybuilder, but it will give you the added strength you need to accomplish a healthy life.

All of this may look like a huge task.  I can tell you from experience that the hardest part will be starting out.  Once you start changing your lifestyle to better fit a healthy life you will be motivated and excited to continue on and disappointed on the days when you can't go for your regular walk or run.  Remember though that your body only grows and improves with rest.  Don't exercise more than two days in a row and get plenty of sleep.  Find a way to deal with the stress that seems always inevitable in our lives.  Start now and live a long and healthy life