Staying Fit As We Get Older

I didn’t get it until I was middle-aged

Use it or lose it has never been more important than when it comes to physical fitness. The older you are the more important it is to begin some kind of exercise program. I’m not talking about running marathons or spending hours lifting weights (although if that’s what you discover you enjoy, it can only help you in the long run).

As we get older we start to see the effects of aging all around us. We begin moving slower, more deliberate in our steps, and weight becomes easier to gain and harder to lose as the metabolism slows down. But it doesn’t have to be that way and it’s never too late to start an exercise program. (Just check with your doctor first.)

I was never an athlete, far from it. I was always the last one picked for teams in school. My Phys Ed teacher even made fun of me by telling the class that whoever didn’t lap me would have to do push-ups. Everyone laughed, thinking it would be easy. But my teacher guessed that I was simply unmotivated and this challenge pushed me to run faster than I ever had before. As a result, many of my classmates were red-faced as they had to drop down and complete their penalties.

I flirted with physical fitness through my twenties and thirties but never really stuck to a program for very long. Still, I maintained a basic level of fitness and I was able to stay at a healthy weight.

In my late 40s, in what must have been a mid-life crisis, I decided I wanted to push myself and have a big adventure. I decided, with a friend to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa. So I hired a trainer who got me into shape, slowly, to prepare for my trek.

I started with a walk-run on a treadmill for a couple of minutes, gradually increasing my time. Then I would begin lifting weights, again starting out small and gradually increasing the weight. I also had a boxing trainer who worked on my strength and agility. Eventually, I could see the results. Those extra pounds I had added on over the years, melted off and my muscles began to tighten up. I was able to do more. I started cycling again (after not riding a bike for decades) and even ran stairs to prepare for the trek up the mountain. It worked. Even though I became sick during the climb (food poisoning) my healthier body still carried me to the summit.

It was the most enlightening moment of my life. I realized I could do anything I set my mind to and I realized that a fit body was important to fulfill many of my dreams.

I continued with a fitness program and at 50 embarked on a cycling tour of Vietnam. Again I had to up my training.

When the pandemic hit my fitness program went off the rails. Since I couldn’t get into a gym I decided I would put that part of my fitness program on hold (who knew how long it would last) and when the weather got colder I stopped jogging and even my walks became shorter and more infrequent.

I noticed the change over time. It became harder to get up from the floor, even to tie my shoes. I started putting on weight, which only exacerbated my health issues. I moved slower and my posture began to suffer. I could see how important it was for me to get back on track.

I’m getting back in the gym. But it was a big surprise to me that I had to basically start from scratch. I had to start again with a walk-run for a few minutes on the treadmill and had to return to light weights for exercises. It didn’t take long though for me to start feeling stronger.

If you are thinking about embarking on a fitness program, just take it easy. Don’t try to do it all at the beginning. Depending on your fitness level, just about everyone is able to at least walk or swim. If you have joint issues, the water will relieve the pressure on your joints which will keep you moving, longer.

And you don’t have to go for a program that takes you to a gym regularly. Do whatever works for you to get moving in order to increase your cardiopulmonary stamina. You also want to work your muscles with weights or even your own body weight to improve balance and strength.

I have heard it before but I finally realize that better mobility and increasing physical strength will be the keys to looking and feeling younger, longer. A physical fitness program not only will help me to stay active in my older age it also will help to keep my heart and lungs stronger and will even help to stave off dementia.

__________________________________________________________________

You could read so much amazing content on Medium and it could be your next step in becoming a writer. And if you sign up with this link you will also be supporting my writing.