Tips on How to Stay Fit Over 40

There is no doubt in my mind that everyone wants to be fit and healthy. Nobody really wants to be overweight or obese, some cannot help it, with genetics playing a roll, but far too often a person becomes overweight by sure laziness. One must first have the will power to stop and say "Hey I am fat"! I need to do something about this and take better care of myself and now is the time. Being fit over 40 is not a difficult task to achieve; you must have the will to make the change. Getting fit over 40 is not a how to loose weight scam; you must make a lifestyle change.

Once an individual, whether male or female, hits 30 your metabolism starts to slow down and your body cannot process fat in the same manor that it did when you were 20-years old. The effects of aging will affect the best of people. Some of the effects of aging are joint pain, back and neck pain, knee pain, elevated blood pressure, elevated weight, fatigue, these are all effects not only of aging, but also from living a sedentary lifestyle.

There is a great term," If you don't move it, you lose it," which I myself have come to live my life by. I am hitting 40 this year, last year I weighed 208 pounds and was always tired with lots of aches and pains everywhere. I knew I needed to get fit, loose the weight and get active again. Besides eating healthy and taking daily supplements such as vitamins, the physical activity is what is the most important; if you get yourself back into a fitness regimen and start working all those muscles and joints the aches and pains will slowly start to fade away and will give way to a more energetic you!

7 Tips of a fitness program for 40 and over

Consult with your physician, before you start a fitness and weight loss program, especially if you have hypertension, diabetes or any cardiovascular conditions or if you have been inactive for a long time, it is always a good idea to get medical clearance.

Evaluate you fitness level. In order to create a productive fitness program, you will need to know what your current fitness level is. Flexibility, cardiovascular and muscle endurance and strength are important factors to consider before you start a program, so as not to hurt yourself or over do it.

Set your goals. What do you want to achieve? How much weight do you want to loose? Goal setting is important for the simple fact of pushing oneself, when you are tired and want to quit, you can always look to the goals you have set for yourself and say, "hey, I can do this" then push yourself a little harder and remember that you are not only trying to loose weight, but make a lifestyle change for the rest of your life.

Stay on top of it. Consistency is the only way you will be successful, especially for those of us 40 and over. If you are looking for permanent results, you must be consistent and stay on the right path to awareness.

Eat a healthy diet. Stop the simple sugars that are in candy, soda and sweets; drink the daily-recommended amount of water every day, cut out all trans fat foods like chips. Eat more salads, fruits and vegetables. Cut your portions in half and drink a glass of water before each meal and you will feel full faster.

Exercise daily. In order to maintain a healthy weight, we must exercise at least three times a week; four to five 30-minute workouts would be better. Be sure to warm up before you begin to exercise by stretching and cool down by doing the same. As we get older our muscles get tighter and we need more stretching.

No excuses make healthy living and fitness a priority. Just as we make our families a priority, we need to make our fitness regimens a priority as well. Stay focused and determined to make the change to a healthy lifestyle, if you do not have the courage to do so, you will most likely fail, but if you stay on the right path you will succeed and be happier and look better.

References for this article came from www.fitover40.com and www.stayingfitover40.com also from my own personal experience in getting fit at 40.