Which single fitness habit do you think will matter the most 10 years from now — and why?

corecult

We all know fitness isn’t just about today — it’s about building habits that last a lifetime.

Is it strength training to stay mobile?
Daily walking for heart health?
Or maybe prioritizing sleep and recovery?

Your answer could inspire someone else in the community to rethink their own routine.

donnamarieb21

Good Morning. I think strength training is important. As I am getting older, I am getting weaker. My goal is to workout 3 days a week to get stronger and walk at least 3 miles.

AnnPT77

How about a well-rounded balance of cardiovascular challenge (walking or something else), strength challenge (lifting or something else), good overall nutrition, decent sleep for those who can get it, and maybe a few other factors in the margins?

Why choose one? If starting from a place where several or all of those are out of whack, I get why a person would address them in sequence rather than the big-bang all-at-once method that isn't very realistic or achievable . . . but in the long run, as you posed this question, I think it's more about balance than it is about any one thing.

I'm 69 now, nearing 70. I got more active (cardiovascular and strength challenges) starting in my late 40s/50s, which was a major quality of life improvement. I did that for over 10 years, but it wasn't really enough. I finally got around to reaching a healthy weight at 59-60, another big quality of life improvement.

Both of those things were extremely, extremely worth doing. Having done the combination and settled into being active at a healthy weight nearly 10 years down the road now from the later one, I can't think how to either/or them.

I'd put sleep quality in the mix, too, but as a person with at least 2 known sleep disorders, I'm not totally winning that battle, just trying. 🤷‍♀️

corecult

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/48747583#Comment_48747583

Good morning! That’s an excellent goal — strength training will definitely help you maintain muscle and energy as you get older, and pairing it with regular walking is a great balance. Starting with 3 days a week is realistic and sustainable. Stay consistent, and you’ll be surprised at how much stronger and more active you’ll feel over time. You’ve got this!

corecult

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/48747751#Comment_48747751

That’s such a well-rounded perspective . You’re absolutely right — it’s not about choosing one thing but finding the right balance between strength, cardio, nutrition, and recovery. Your journey is really inspiring, especially how you stayed consistent through your 40s, 50s, and beyond, and then made the shift toward a healthier weight later on. It shows that progress at any stage of life can lead to major quality of life improvements. Even with challenges like sleep, the fact that you’re actively working on all these areas is a great example of long-term health and resilience.

ninerbuff

I find that the people who age the best in the gym have a well rounded routine that FITS with their aging. In last gym, was a guy who was in his late 60's who just lifted heavy weights and gradually I him just coming in less and less. Never saw him do anything else like cardio, stretching, etc., just load plates up and after each set, I could tell he was wasted and hurting. My last couple of years he came less.

And there was another guy who did cardio on the elliptical everyday for 2 hours, but I never saw him lift. Pretty thin guy. Eventually he started to come in less and less.

And then the ones I saw doing a combination of both, seem to always be there. Mind you I did split shifts at the gym (4am to 10am, then came back 3pm-7pm) 10hours a day so I got to see a little of morning and evening patrons.

AnnPT77

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/48748354#Comment_48748354

You are too kind, but I'm no kind of paragon or role model. I'm hedonistic, have little or no discipline or willpower. I'm not at all consistent in the large sense. I chip away at things that are bugging me, lose focus, wander off (metaphorically speaking), come back later and try something else if the situation is still bugging me.

I found a form of exercise that I utterly love, would do even it it weren't good for me, but it is. I've even done other forms of exercise I don't like as much - something out of character for me - in order to get better at the fun one.

In one sense, you could say that I game my character faults, and sometimes that ends up delivering good results. Hedonism ⇒ fun exercise ⇒ better health and quality of life.

That's why I always strongly encourage people here to try lots of different activities, ideally giving each a fair chance to get past the newbie blues, until the person finds something they enjoy and if this is possible, actively want to do.

There are so. Many. Things. It's not just gyms and machines, there are games (including active video/VR ones), dances (dozens of kinds), martial arts, watersports, biking, skating . . . I could go on and on. Find fun things. It's magical. It can even be a mix of things.

But yes, improvement is possible at any age, and perfection is never necessary to accomplish improvement. Being pretty good on average most of the time . . . that delivers a lot of rewards, IME.

Life balance is important. Couch lump is not balanced. Neither is punitive exercise or miserable eating.

corecult

I really like how you framed that — “gaming your character faults” is such a refreshing perspective. It’s honest, but also really practical, because you’ve turned what most people would call a weakness into a strategy that actually works for you. I think that’s more powerful than rigid discipline, because it’s sustainable and true to your nature.

You’re right, there really are so many ways to move our bodies that aren’t confined to the typical “gym grind.” Framing exercise as fun instead of punishment changes everything — and your point about mixing things up so it doesn’t get stale makes a lot of sense.

Perfection not being necessary is such an encouraging reminder. Improvement through enjoyment feels like the healthiest path to real balance. Thanks for sharing this perspective — it takes some of the pressure off and makes the whole process feel more human and achievable.

corecult

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/48748451#Comment_48748451

That’s such an insightful observation, and honestly it makes a lot of sense. The people who blend different types of training usually seem to stick with it longer because it’s not beating them down in one direction. Heavy lifting without mobility or cardio can catch up with the joints and recovery, and endless cardio without strength leaves people looking and feeling drained.

A balanced mix seems to support longevity — strength for maintaining muscle and bones, cardio for heart health and endurance, flexibility for joints and movement, and even just the mental variety so you don’t burn out. The fact that you noticed this over years and different gym shifts really highlights the pattern.

It kind of reinforces that the “secret” isn’t intensity alone, but consistency built on balance. The ones who found that middle ground are the ones still showing up.