I spend a lot of time sharing my thoughts on ways to look after our wellbeing and wellness by sharing frameworks such as the 5 pillars of wellbeing or ways to create new longer lasting habits. Personally I find the frameworks help put things in context, whilst the of the Life Tonics may be new habits you want to establish.
Staying fit and healthy as we age is so important for both our physical and mental health.
In this blog, I'll be sharing another framework that should be helpful to maintain good health as we age.
If there was one thing I'd want people to take out from this blog - is that varying your types of exercise is paramount. As much as we enjoy one form of exercise, don't neglect the other ways to look after your physical health. Also - do what you can - we are all different and coming from different fitness levels, mobility and flexibility.....all of which we can work on!
Endurance, or cardiovascular fitness, is the ability of your heart and lungs to efficiently supply oxygen to your body during physical activities. As you age, maintaining good cardiovascular health becomes even more critical. Regular aerobic exercises like walking, jogging, cycling, and swimming can help improve your endurance.
Endurance activities enhance your stamina, reduce the risk of heart disease, and provide mental benefits like stress reduction. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise each week, and include activities that raise your heart rate, making you sweat and breathe harder.
Having started triathlons in my mid 20's I found that mixing up the training from swimming, cycling and running was a great way to vary up the training; focusing on different areas of the body. Also, if you do pick up an injury there is usually at least one other form of exercise can do to get your fix.
As we age, balance and stability become increasingly important. Poor balance can lead to falls and injuries; falls are a significant cause of many injuries within the older populations around around the world. Strength and resistance training can help improve stability by enhancing muscle mass, coordination, and (yoga for ) core strength.
Yoga and Pilates are excellent choices for enhancing balance and stability. These practices not only build physical strength but also offer mental benefits, such as stress relief and mindfulness. By incorporating balance exercises into your fitness routine, you can reduce the risk of falls and maintain your quality of life.
Agility, the ability to move quickly and easily, is often overlooked but plays a significant role in everyday life. It's about staying nimble, alert, and responsive to changing situations. Engaging in activities that challenge your agility, such as dance, martial arts, or agility drills, can help keep your reflexes sharp and improve your coordination.
Agility exercises can be fun and mentally stimulating, contributing to your overall well-being. They can help prevent stiffness and promote a sense of vitality, making everyday activities more enjoyable and effortless.
Mobility refers to your ability to move freely through your joints' full range of motion. Loss of mobility can lead to stiffness, discomfort, and a reduced quality of life. To maintain mobility, it's crucial to stretch regularly, focusing on both major muscle groups and specific joints.
Consider incorporating activities like yoga, Tai Chi, and dynamic stretching into your routine. These exercises not only improve your mobility but also reduce the risk of injury, promote relaxation, and help you manage stress.
Shoulder rolls (in both directions) and hip rotations whilst kneeling on all fours are great ways to maintain good mobility in some of our larger joints. to help you maintain a good range of movement.
Flexibility is closely related to mobility but focuses on the elasticity of your muscles and connective tissues. Stretching and flexibility exercises keep your body supple, improve posture, and relieve tension. They also help you maintain a range of motion in your joints.
To enhance flexibility, it's essential to incorporate stretching routines into your daily or weekly schedule. This can include static stretching, dynamic stretching, and even foam rolling. Increased flexibility contributes to your overall well-being by reducing the risk of injury and promoting relaxation.
Unsurprisingly as yoga teachers we're big advocates of stretching and flexibility with either or live or on demand classes.
Maintaining muscle strength is crucial as we age. After 40, the natural loss of muscle mass becomes more pronounced. Resistance training, using weights, resistance bands, or your body weight, can help combat muscle loss and improve overall strength.
Strength training also supports bone health, increases metabolism, and can enhance your functional fitness. It's not about becoming a bodybuilder but rather about ensuring your body remains robust and capable of daily activities without strain.
Our on-demand classes include 30 minute HIIT sessions as well as 10 minute Tone Up sessions to help maintain your strength and muscle mass. Alternatively, body weight squats are a great way to build strength in the lower body by engaging quads and glutes.
The importance of nutrition cannot be overstated. A well-balanced diet is the foundation of your overall well-being and plays a pivotal role in maintaining good health. After 40, your metabolism slows down, and your nutritional needs may change. It's essential to focus on nutrient-dense foods, including a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats.
Consider paying attention to specific nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D for bone health, omega-3 fatty acids for heart health, and antioxidants for cellular protection. Staying hydrated is also crucial, as dehydration can exacerbate the aging process.
In addition to healthy eating, consider portion control and mindful eating to avoid overeating and maintain a healthy weight. Furthermore, consult with a registered dietitian or healthcare professional to create a nutrition plan tailored to your individual needs.
Incorporating the above elements into your fitness regimen is essential for those over 40. However, it's equally important to take a holistic approach to health and well-being. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
Staying fit as we get older is a multifaceted endeavor that encompasses various aspects of endurance, stability, agility, mobility, flexibility, strength, and nutrition. By approaching fitness holistically and considering both physical and mental well-being, you can age gracefully and enjoy a higher quality of life as you embrace this new chapter. Remember, it's never too late to invest in your health and well-being, and your future self will thank you for the effort you put in today.
