Do the rules for getting fit and staying fit after 50 differ from any other age group? Yes. Why? Because your body is different than it was in your 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s. You know that by looking at it, and the fact is, you’re dealing with a very different body that has very different needs. You may have coasted through your 20’s, drifted through your 30’s, and ignored the subtle signs in your 40’s. But, not any longer.

Just about the time you sign your name to that AARP invitation, you start to notice a few unpleasant things about your body. There you were, sitting on the floor sorting pictures and when you went to get back up again, your legs, back, and hips started to argue with you. Maybe all those clothes in your closet started shrinking somehow. Perhaps you caught a glimpse in a full length mirror and thought “where did that come from?”

Are things like loss of muscle and bone strength, unsteady balance, and weight gain inevitable as we age? Not entirely. What we do today, during our 50’s, will help prevent deterioration of our body not only today, but for the rest of our lives. Aging is a natural process and it is inevitable, should we be so lucky! However, the way we age is highly dependent on what we do to keep our body strong and healthy.

Now that you’re with me, what exactly do we need to do, you ask. First, remind yourself that you didn’t get this far without being smart. You are 50 plus years old and you deserve to be fit and healthy. You deserve to be the strongest, healthiest person you can possibly be. So, how about we get started by reading the following fitness tips:

Set A Goal: Think back to some of the goals you set in the past. I’ll bet when you were in your 20’s and 30’s you wanted to look beautiful and slim, so that was your goal. Somewhere in your 50’s your aspirations have changed. You still want to look good, but it’s the feeling good part that gets us committed to a fitness program. If you say “When I turn 55 next year I want to walk a marathon” THAT is a fitness goal. Pick something you want to achieve – ride a bike again, do 25 leg lifts, get off the floor without help – those are markers of a quality of life that you’ve been missing.

Choose An Exercise Program That Fits You: You’ve probably tried a few exercise programs throughout your life and already have a pretty good idea what will work for you. Don’t go back to a gym if lifting weights around people never worked well for you. If floor exercises and free-weights get you hopping, then go for it. If camaraderie and support is important to you, then choose programs that embrace groups of people. If your idea of heaven is walking with headphones on, then you need to get walking. Whatever you choose, make sure you enjoy doing it!

Now, Stick With It: Okay, you have your exercise video all ready to go. You think you’ll enjoy it because you’ve tried things like it before. You give it your all for about 30 days, then stop. Why? Because most of us lose patience quickly. No results in 30 days? Done. The fact is it took many years to get out of shape, it will take some time to see results. Give yourself at least 90 days before you decide if you like the exercise program you’re doing and if you’re seeing results. There are reasons you may not like the exercise, and it may not be working the way you want. If not, find something else and start again!

Getting fit after 50, and staying fit, is not an unattainable dream somewhere out there in the future. If you’re 50 or older, you know that the future is RIGHT NOW! Doing one exercise today, then another tomorrow, and another the day after, is the way to a strong and fit body – and an investment in your health for decades to come!

Author Bio: Can fitness after 50 make a difference in the way you feel at 60, 70, 80 or even 90? Yes! See what women are doing to stay strong over at RemarkableWrinklies.com and join in the fun!

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: fitness programs for women over 50,exercise after 50,fitness programs for seniors