If you are in your 50’s, you may be wondering how to stay fit and healthy after 50. After all, it is a time when it is natural for adults to experience body changes, including hormonal, cardiovascular and muscle changes as well as physical changes in general. For many, the goals in exercising and leading a healthy lifestyle especially at this age include: t**o maintain or lose weight, live a longer and healthier life, and to be happy and confident**.
Now let’s go on to find out how to stay fit after 50:
Tips for staying fit after 50
1. Be flexible and patient with re-discovering what works for you
This is the best way to stay fit after 50! At any stage of life, it is important to remember that what once worked for you may not work for you now. Your results may be different, you may need to make some adjustments or even complete changes to your routine, and your body may not ‘bounce back’ the way it once did in terms of health. But this is natural as we age and it is important to be flexible, patient, and understanding with your body. Your body has gotten you this far, now it’s up to you to tune in and learn how you can best support your body for the years to come.
2. Speak with your doctor
Speaking with your doctor can help give you some clarity as to how your body is currently functioning and how you can best support it. You can also speak with your doctor about getting a recommended nutrition plan for your specific body needs and/or a fitness plan.
3. Re-discover what types of exercise are for you
As you get in your daily movement, it is helpful to pay attention to how you feel the most confident moving your body. This can help give you some inspiration and insight into what types of exercise you may feel best in and what types you might enjoy. While you may have enjoyed lifting weights in your thirties, perhaps now you may enjoy Zumba, a Pilates class or walking with a friend more. So have fun with discovering and re-discovering what types of exercise are for you, both in terms of enjoyment as well as physical capabilities.
4. Eat clean
One of the most commonly recommended healthy eating tips for after 50 years of age is to cut back on salt. This is because as we age, our blood vessels are less elastic and for some this can lead to challenges with high blood pressure. It is also helpful to incorporate more plant-based foods into your diet so that you can benefit from vitamin and mineral-rich foods and the antioxidants that they hold. To help stay fit and healthy, it is helpful to meal plan and prep as well as to always have healthy snack options. Especially for those busy days, it is nice to be able to go to the fridge and have prepped vegetables or other healthy snacks available to eat right away rather than reaching for an unhealthy option.
5. Find a way to move every day
Whether it be between long days at the office or going through the motions of day-to-day life, it is vital to find a way to move every day. Even on days that you do not exercise, movement is a separate thing and should be a part of your everyday life.
Read also: 5 physical activities for older adults to stay fit
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