Getting Fit in Your 50s and Beyond

The dreaded 5-0, you’ve had the celebrations, endured the senior people's jokes, now you must look ahead at the next 30-40 years.

You may already experience health issues, if not, you are certainly aware that the risk of adverse health issues increases when you’re over the 50 age milestone.

Significant events start to occur in your life now. Loss of parents, relatives and friends of their generation. You’ve probably got as far as you’ll ever get in your career. You may feel vulnerable with all the career graduates making decisions that affect you.

Your children will have left or are about to leave home, and you may even be a grandparent. This could make you feel positively old.

But you don’t need to face your 50s with fear and trepidation. Balance all the negative feelings with positive ingredients, and you have the recipe for a rewarding life, and one to look forward to in your 50s and beyond.

Here are 5 suggestions to help you re-invent your outlook as you move into your 50s:

Stay Fit and Healthy

Your priority is to stay fit and healthy, so you have the energy to do everything else. Yes, there are many more interesting things to do than bother with exercise and diet, but you don’t need to become fanatical.

Exercise needs to be a fitness activity you enjoy - walking, gardening, cycling, running, yoga or any activity that leaves you feeling out of breath and your heart pumping faster.

Using FootFall, you’ll be able to easily find fitness classes near you or those specialising in strength training for the over 50s.

Ensure your diet contains fibre, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Scale down on junk food and red meat. Watch the calories in what you eat. Limit consumption of food and drink high in sugar and saturated fats. And, drink lots of water.

Family and Friends

Make time for family and friends. This takes effort and is probably not one of your top priorities, but you will feel better having made the effort.

Hold a dinner party with close friends where you all dress in black tie and evening dresses. Hold the party in your home to keep costs and ask your friends to bring wine or dessert. You all have a great time without it costing your fortune. Aim to do this two or three times a year, so you have something to look forward to.

Volunteering

Volunteer for a community cause or your favourite charity. Follow their activities on the web and write encouraging emails and observations if you aren’t in a position to play an active role in volunteering.

Write a Biography

Ok, you’re not a celebrity, but your family, especially children and future grandchildren, would love to know what life was like for you growing up. Your fears, aspirations, disappointments and achievements will mean a great deal to your children and grandchildren as you get older.

Brainbox

Find activities that stimulate your brain. Reading, chess, Sudoku or playing or learning to play a musical instrument, even something as inexpensive as an acoustic guitar, will keep you engaged and active mentally. There is research that shows that an active mind can reduce the risk of developing conditions like Alzheimer’s.

Staying fit and healthy in your 50s means you can have the life you want rather than the life you get.