Over 40s - What do you do to stay in shape?

ChrisHoffman72

I'm 42 and try to make it to the gym 3-5 days a week. Usually lift and do a little cardio. Try to watch calories while eating fairly decently. I go through phases, but lately it's been getting harder to be motivated.

Sharon_C

Weight lifting 4-5x/week. Some cardio. I hate cardio and I really should be better at getting more in.

I'm in better shape now than I was in my 20s and 30s.

SnuggleSmacks

Lift 3x week if I can get to the gym.
Walk/run intervals or else elliptical when I can get to the gym.

But also, I take my dog on walks of 1-3 miles. He's an Italian greyhound, so he's a little thing, but he has no problem keeping up with me. Sometimes we jog. I try to do at least one long walk every day, and then perhaps a short walk around the block later. He's 14, so it's just as important for him as it is for me.

TXrattlesnake

Sex mostly. Sometimes my wife is a participant too.

Maryam2014mfp

Bump

ErniesMom863

When I need to shake things up, I join a crossfit for a month or two. I m currently signed up for September and October. It's very intense, community base and lots of fun. It also improves my workouts when I'm going to the gym for solo workouts.

FitnSassy

bump

EvelynR1967

I'm 47. Was in a car accident in January and can't do a whole lot anymore, so I swim! 5-6 days a week I get in the pool and move for at least 45 minutes. Great for the body & great for the mind! Good Luck!

michellekicks

I'm in love with all the amazing over 40s here :flowerforyou:

jyogit

i'm 47 .. i did naff all exercise for years..was a postman in younger days and that kept me pretty fit, then i got dogs and the constant walks did me well.Now .. i work a 6on 3 off shift pattern on nights .. on my work days i try and make myself jog/walk between 5-8 miles most days .. also add in 3 x a week an hr with dumbbells .. i have various complaints so I'm working up slowly so as no to do too much.. on my 3 days off i jump on my bike and cycle either 6 or 8miles depending on the weather.
Must say i'm feeling much better for it all and the change in foods is seeing the weight come off slowly but surely .. a couple of months down the line i will look into weight training and try n build up more lean muscle n drop the Body Fat more.
MFP has opened my eyes to a lot of stuff since joining

Springfield1970

I cycle 3/4 hours a week
I run 2/3 5k per week
I swim 2 per week.

Mostly I like to strength train 2/3 times per week.

Sometimes there are weeks when I do 2 or 3 of those disciplines, I try and get the balance of these activities GIVING me strength and energy rather than TAKING my strength and energy. I'm 43, and am fitter stronger and leaner than since I was 12 years old. I feel young most of the time, unless I'm really stressed and overtrained, then I feel bloody old!

Springfield1970

I'm 47. Was in a car accident in January and can't do a whole lot anymore, so I swim! 5-6 days a week I get in the pool and move for at least 45 minutes. Great for the body & great for the mind! Good Luck!

I love your attitude! Get well soon!

valissa

Congrats on reaching and maintaining your goal weight! I have lost 56 lbs and I am 18 lbs away from my goal weight. I try to do 60-90 minutes of exercise at least 5 days a week, mostly elliptical, alternating positions for different muscles and adding weights off and on;, some swimming, walking, and yardwork .You are not lazy. Working out 4 days a week is great,. I agree with comments above regarding strength training This is something I need to practice more of and also adding more variety to workouts. Looking forward to reaching my goal weight and maintaining it.:

JenGranzow

I am 46. I do a combo of cardio/strength/flexibility training 6 days per week. I'm big on HIIT so I don't spend hours working out each day but I am making the most of my 25-40 minutes. I also continue to log and eat responsibly. It took me a year to lose 70+ pounds and I have now kept it off for 2.5 years.

onelovejenn

"only do 40 mins Cardio about 4 times a week."

Only?

That's pretty good if you ask me. Certainly way better than the average person.

This exactly! I do anywhere from 30 to 35 minutes of cardio 5 to 6 days a week and it kicks my butt. As soon as my timer reaches 30 I always want to stop!

Godan2b

Well I'm over 50, actually 55.5 right now.

I do kettlebells 5-7 days a week usually swings, just finished my first 10K swing month in August and then I try to get onto the mats for BJJ at least once or twice a week.

HerbertNenenger

47.
Weights/strength training 3x week (machines, freeweights, and bodyweight/Total Gym)
cardio 2x week - either circuit trng. or brisk hill walking.
I get at least 13,000 steps a day in on my non-weight days. Most days I get 15-17,000 steps.
My weekends are considered rest days, but always still get at least 10,000 steps in.

98bikinisuitedlbs

42 yo and I do a variation of DVDs including ballet beautiful, physique57 and Pilates, "powerhouse" with weight training and no formal cardio due to R knee surgery and zero results in the past.

StillwaterLady

This seems like an inspiring group! I am looking for some support as I diet to get rid of some weight - exercise isn't enough! Anyone want to join me?

jasati

4 sessions approx 20 mins each of HIIT mainly full body/functional movements + 1-2 sessions cardio (static bike/row machine). Precede each session with 5-10 mins warm up & finish with similar cool down. Cardio 18-25mins max again adding similar warm up & cool down time. Work out 5-6 days weekly sometimes less depending on intrusions/alternative activities (on fine days) or just wanting a day off. (NB. 3-4 days HIIT & 1-2 days Cardio)
5'10" tall. 168lbs weight. Chest 42" Waist 34". Resting Pulse mid 40's. Blood pressure 130/70 (when last taken).
Vegetarian past 40 years. Low carb/high fat eater. Supplements Multivitamin/Magnesium/Co-enzyme CQ10/Vit. B12/Vit. D3.
Oh, & finally 70 years old!
Hope it helps.

jasati

Hi (again0
Forgot to add that I started just over 4 years back at close to 200lbs weight. Waist heading towards 40". Rising blood pressure and slowing down. Its been a long term approach of small changes in diet/exercise to develop habits for good health that are sustainable - more a marathon than a sprint.
Also still requires discipline to maintain the good habits, it is so easy to slip....

Wish you all well in your own efforts!.

knitapeace

I'm 45 and I've changed my routine about a million times since I started exercising almost 2 years ago. Back then it was strictly running. Then I added 30 Day Shred, then Fitness Blender videos and circuit training apps. Today here's my routine:

M: upper body strength
T: lower body strength
W: 45 minute run
Th: upper body strength
F: lower body strength
Sa: run for however long I feel like
Monday - Thursday: lunchtime walk of about 45 minutes

My strength training is 100% bodyweight (calisthenics) and on days when I know I won't have time or weather for a lunchtime walk I add about 15 minutes of HIIT circuits using whatever app I feel like for that day.

nellyett

42 here.....:)

The last year or so I've really focused on building muscle over anything else, and it's made all the difference for me in body composition.

A typical week for me looks like:

M - Leg day 60 minutes (could be all lifting, or if my old lady knee is acting up then will finish the last 15 min with sprints or HIIT)
T - Chest and Triceps 60 min
W - Kickboxing, 5km run or some other sort of cardio I enjoy.
Th - Back and Biceps 60 min
F - Shoulders and Glutes or Abs60 min (my shoulders are a weak area and need more time than others)
S - Usually just some easy or relaxed cardio to move and stretch out. I'm pretty sore by the weekend. Walking, going to the park with my daughter, whatever gets us up and out of the house.
Sunday - rest day

I try to switch it up when I can, like going to open jumping at the trampoline place, rollerblading, ice skating in winter, etc.

Now....if I could just get my diet under control!! lol

MelsAuntie

I'm 65.....I've never been to a gym. I stay in shape doing farm work. Yesterday it was lifting 85 bales of hay off the field and carrying them to the hay trailer and loading them, helping my husband stack them some of the time. Today, it was unloading the same 85 bales off the trailer, so we can use the trailer later..... along with cleaning stalls, hauling manure and sawdust, feeding and watering the horses and the ducks, and working in the garden ( winding down now). In winter I use my elliptical machine.

roanokejoe49

Swim...8 miles a week.
Bike....60 miles a week
Run...15 miles a week
Total gym resistance training 3 times a week.

That'll do it.

SerendipitySkye

I am 48. I do rebounding (mini-trampoline) and kettle bells. I also hop on the treadmill or walk outside as much as I can. ~Skye:flowerforyou:

cowbellsandcoffee

I ride and race.

hbgirl85

I'm 47. I do cardio 45-60 minutes, 5-6 days out of the week, with 2-3 days of weight training. I also do deep water aerobics for 45-60 minutes once a week. Cardio includes riding my road bke, running outside or on the treadmill, elliptical trainer. I also do workout DVDs-Jillian Michaels, Kelly Coffey-Myer, P90X, etc.

LivingtheLeanDream

I'm 45 and stay fit jogging for 3 -5 miles x 5 days/ week and strength training 3 x 20 mins per week
I enjoy it and it keeps me in good shape.
When I began my mfp journey in May 2012 I did very little, just the odd walk.
Its about finding an activity you love to do then you'll not feel you have to force yourself to do it

I_need_moar_musclez

Weights 4 times a week, cardio twice. Got to actually GET in shape first befire I think about staying there!