Aging is inevitable but getting old is strictly our option.
We may have no choice in getting old, but I intend on putting off feeling old for a very long time. Setting realistic goals each day that will lead to a healthier life is key to getting into shape after 40.
The absolute best part of exercising after 40 is your body starts to age backwards. After about 6 weeks of strength training and a good cardio workout, your body starts to look and feel much younger. I don’t need any scientific evidence to support this theory because I know it is true. You start to see improvements in muscle tone, which improves balance, coordination, agility and flexibility. The “old age shuffle” is what scares me the most. If you really start to pay attention, you can tell someone that is aging poorly by the way they walk.
Just how good you want to look and feel is going to determine how much effort you will put behind your fitness and diet plan. But, the good news is, once you get started, the feeling of fitness is going to far outweigh any sacrifices you have made in your diet. It is the healthy diet that is going to give you the ability to motivate yourself into the ideal fitness plan. By fueling your body with the proper nutrition, you will have the motivation and desire to start moving.
We need to be very selfish about our exercise time. Don’t let the rest of your life “just happen,” get out there and make it happen by finding fun exercise opportunities everywhere.
On the average, walking burns approximately 100 calories per mile. Start slowly the first week. Walk at a slow pace to warm-up for 5 minutes and then walk at a faster pace for 10 minutes. To cool down, always end with a 5 minute slow down pace. Each day try and add a little more time to your faster pace minutes until you reach at least 20 - 30 minutes. Try to aim for at least 2 hours of walking the first week.
Healthy Breakfast tip: Try “healthy sautéing” about 1 - 1 1/2 cups of chopped fresh baby spinach. Healthy sautéing is using about 1/2 of chicken or vegetable broth instead of butter or oil. Simmer the spinach until wilted and most of the liquid is gone. Meanwhile in a small bowl, beat two eggs lightly adding 1 small chopped fresh tomato to the eggs. Add egg mixture to the spinach mixture and cook until the eggs are medium to firm. (scrambling as you go.) Try adding a tablespoon of either feta or blue cheese. Add 1 piece of 100% whole-wheat toast. It is definitely a myth that we need to eat 2 pieces of toast. We only need one for breakfast and one for lunch. Just make sure your bread says “100%” whole- wheat bread.
Please let me know if you have any questions or comments!
