As a personal trainer I’ve heard just about every reason (or excuse) under the sun as to why keeping fit and healthy is a struggle. And to be fair, some of these reasons are valid.
But age is not one of them.
I am in my fourties, and personally I started my love affair with all things fitness at the ripe old age of 39. It was not exactly a conscience love to begin with, however it did soon became very conscience.
And to say it was hard is an understatement. But not because of the reasons that you think.
Sure, my body was lethargic and moved much more slowly than what it did in my 20’s, but it was more the my mindset I stuck in. A place that I had been stuck in for many years. I’d adopted the habit of giving up very quickly, especially when it came to all things ‘me’.
I’ve heard women say, “Well, my ‘hey-day’s are over, it’s time to simply accept what I am left with”. But do you really believe that? I didn’t think so.
So just because you’ve finished one part of your life and commenced another, it’s okay to give up on the one thing that has kept you going over time…?
Your body!
I actually think it’s more a case, for many women, that your confidence has left you for another woman and your ability to believe that you are capable of looking, feeling and BEING different is non-existent. And I get that too.
But our bodies are sensationally resilient and much more adaptable than you think. Not only that, but the health benefits of exercising, especially as ageing women, are huge. Here are just a few:
- Avoiding natural muscle mass loss (over the age of 40 it decreases rapidly)
- Increased bone density
- Good cardiac and circulatory health
- Minimizes the risk of chronic illness
But most of all, it gives you back your youth.
You see, vitality comes from setting your intentions, making a plan, doing the work and most of all committing to yourself. But from my experience, it definitely does not come from a chronological year or a number.
