Over 40s - What do you do to stay in shape?
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48 next month. My wife and I lift 3 days a week, heavy and mostly compound movements. Tues & Thurs are either a circuit, bike riding, or whatever else we feel like. Weekends are filled with activity, mountain biking, hiking, hunting, manual labor, etc. We normally walk 2 miles every evening and stay active throughout the workday. We've been working out together for over 20 years, but the last few years have been slowing and we both gained a few extra pounds. I tore a biceps tendon in 2012 and had sciatica for a few months last year. At the turn of 2014, I'd had enough. We energized our workouts, both wear our fitbits, and log our food on MFP even though we both hit our goals (and then some) a few months ago. I'm in as good or better shape than when I was in my 20's. Shame is I think I lost about 10# of muscle tone since then
, but it's on it's way back! 0 -
30 minutes of high intense / low impact cardio 5-6 days a week.
2-3 days a week I include weight baring exercises like pull ups, push ups, leg raises, etc.
I don't sweat it if I miss the gym because of a child's school event or when I'm not feeling well because I'm no longer looking to lose weight.
Alleviating the pressure of 'HAVE-TO' to 'WANT-TO' really has helped me stay consistent for the long run.0 -
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.
Having spent one miserably hot day helping a friend bring in hay bales -- when I was about 30 years younger than you are now -- I have to bow to you ma'am, you're far fitter than me.
And I wore shorts. I still have the scars. Yes, I'm an idiot. :laugh:0 -
strength training 3 days, cardio 3 days.0
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I am 49 and I successfully finished the free apps C25K and C210K and am now training for a half marathon. I runabout three times a week 10+ kilometers and cross train another three days! one rest day.
Stef.0 -
Currently, walking ~5 days/week, on a schedule that keeps me ready for a 1/2 marathon.
Which is less than I did in my early 40s, and less than I'll be doing by this time next year. It varies, according to a whole bunch of things - where I live & what makes sense (gym, buying equipment, outdoor resources, health issues, work, dog that likes walks...)
So, I'm not sure why you're looking for shaming - just look at any nearby short triathlon results and you'll see PLENTY of women in their 40s kicking *kitten*. Or cycling race, or ....
Putting down your current efforts is a GREAT way to end up being a couch potato, because you don't have the ideal setup. I mean, if you're not lifting heavy and/or doing x workout y days a week, you are a failure? Really? Is that how you want to do your 40s?
Do what works for you - as you are - right now. Try something new if you want to. Love it.0 -
I'm 46.
Bootcamp two or three times a week.
Mile swim or 3-5 mile run few times a week - I alternate: more running if I'm signed up for an event (I like 10k road or 5 mile trail distances). Less running and more swimming if I'm injured/sore, the weather is warm, or I just feel like swimming more or running less.
Occasional weight training. We do some weights at bootcamp with kettlebells/dumbells. When I specifically weight train I do something more like Stronglifts 5x5 I really should get more regular about the lifting it just hit or miss right now.
Random push ups/squats/burpees/jump rope/ etc if the mood strikes me.0 -
I go to a Jazzercise class, it gives me a little time to socialize with the girls also. I like working out with others it keeps me motivated.
I also do hiking in the summer/fall months.0 -
Right now I take a functional training class three days a week. Two times a week I take a strength and conditioning class where the age varies from 14 to 42. Nothing keeps you young like being paired with a 15 year old high school athlete! Once a week I do a track workout and a couple days a week I like to lift on my own and get some cardio in. For recreational activity I like hiking.0
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I go roller skating 2-3 times a week, getting my cardio & lower body workout in one. LOL0
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Hi, am 40 and I do 30 - 40mins cardio and 15mins strength training 6times a week0
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I am 41, my family and I have started Shaun T's Insanity and I mix it up with cycling and mixing in some crossfit type exercises. My metabolism needs to be re-kindled but we are learning to eat healthier and slash pounds as a team! One day at a time.0
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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.
Having spent one miserably hot day helping a friend bring in hay bales -- when I was about 30 years younger than you are now -- I have to bow to you ma'am, you're far fitter than me.
And I wore shorts. I still have the scars. Yes, I'm an idiot. :laugh:
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We once had a young guy show up to work as hay crew, his first time.... bare chested, no gloves, in shorts and flip-flops because he "wanted to get a tan while bringing in hay". We told him he would be scratched half to death if he did it dressed like that... he was annoyed, went home, never came back.
A week ago we brought in 1,100 bales in one day, with two trailers, two drivers, four people to load and stack, including me. Intense. Wow. Still can't believe we did it, even if we did finish up after dark using the truck headlights to guide the last tractor.0 -
I'm not near 40 yet,but my hubby is 41. He boxes, plays soccer, bikes, and carries children where ever he goes. seriously though he easily logs 20 miles a week on his bike.0
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I'm 49.
I lift heavy 3-4x a week for about 40-50 minutes per session and love to dance, so I Zumba about an hour, 3x a week.
I'm also participating in a fitness challenge, so the competition keeps my @$$ motivated, because I hate to lose, lol...0 -
Ride anywhere from 150 - 250km a week, weight train at least once a week. When push come to shove and I can't ride, I run.0
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I do kettleWorx every other day for 20 min, 5 fruits & veggies/day + 64oz water/day + 2-3 shakes/day. It's working for me & I lost almost 12 pounds the first mo. My husband lost 17.0
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46 - recently completed the C25K programme and have continued with the running - now upped it to every 2 days - minimum of 5K each time but building up my duration and also adding in some intervals of faster and slower paced runs. Play 7 a side football (soccer) 1x per week. Planks (daily), press ups (alternate days). Adding in squats and have the weights standing by in the garage for when I get bored with planks and press ups!
In addition I've been eating "clean" (freshly prepared food and increased amounts of lean meat, fruit and veg), removed beer, cider and wine from the diet (but added the occasional Jack Daniels!)
Have lost 42lbs since mid June and will see how far I can get doing more the same!0 -
I am very health conscious person I am very strict towards my body and weight. I am doing so many things for keeping my body in shape. Daily I do one hour workout in my aerobics class and I always take care of my self that what I eating in daily routine it is healthy or not.0
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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.
Having spent one miserably hot day helping a friend bring in hay bales -- when I was about 30 years younger than you are now -- I have to bow to you ma'am, you're far fitter than me.
And I wore shorts. I still have the scars. Yes, I'm an idiot. :laugh:
[/quote
We once had a young guy show up to work as hay crew, his first time.... bare chested, no gloves, in shorts and flip-flops because he "wanted to get a tan while bringing in hay". We told him he would be scratched half to death if he did it dressed like that... he was annoyed, went home, never came back.
A week ago we brought in 1,100 bales in one day, with two trailers, two drivers, four people to load and stack, including me. Intense. Wow. Still can't believe we did it, even if we did finish up after dark using the truck headlights to guide the last tractor.
Here's to farm work! I live on a farm, have and ride horses, walk at least 5 miles a day - according to my pedometer - sometimes as much as 10. I garden, do outdoor chores, cross-country ski and snow shoe in the winter, or use my exercise bike indoors if it's nasty. I like horses, riding them, golf, kayaking (when I'm near water), or even just going for a walk around our farm with my husband and our dogs. I'm going to be 52 in a couple of months.0 -
49 years old - I been walking everyday. Not racing, got me a playlist on the phone that conforms to a nice groove and I just walk to the loop. Started out at a half mile, doing 3.5 miles a day now!!!0
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The key for me is Changing it up. If I stay in one exercise for too long I get bored and I peak at loss or muscle gains. I went from cardio and weights to Body weight workouts, to P90X, to Burpee routines, just keeping it fresh helps me to focus and having little goals along the way helps a lot too0
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I strength train in a powerlifting style four days per week. Now that it's football season, i officiate youth and high school, so that gives me some cardio. Other than that, I'll take a 1.4 mile walk at lunch, if I can. As far as my diet goes, I basically have an egg and cheese sandwich for breakfast most days, some meat and veggies at lunch (or leftovers), whatever my wife decides she wants for dinner, and some greek yogurt and protein bars for snacks. I'll have beer or some sort of dessert a couple/few times a week, too.
eta: I'm 42 yo, by the way.0 -
I'm turning 42 very soon.
I strength train 3-4 times a week. Intense sessions usually around 90+ minutes.
I bike 15-20 miles 2x a week, 6-10 miles 3 more times a week. And I bike to/from the grocery store 2 miles away because it's only 2 miles away.
I coach soccer 2x a week.
I play in the pool with my kids regularly.
I do sprints irregularly, along with heavy bag work and yoga and other stuff.
I rarely sit on my butt anymore.0 -
I enjoyed scrolling through this seeing all the 40+ people who are staying active and looking fantastic.
Someone in the thread mentioned this, but I think it is really important to find something that you enjoy.
44. Heavy, compound focused lifting 4 times a week for about an hour. I walk my dogs a couple of hours a week. Any other cardio is really rare. Occasional cycle interval or incline walking.0 -
46 here.
I am always shifting it up. I work at something everyday but it is always different. It can be walking, elliptical, whatever, but I have to shift it up or I get bored. With winter coming, I just ordered the firm program....I hear it is pretty good and it was only $10 on the shopping channel, so if I don't like it, I will ebay it. Having two kids helps me a lot too as they have me playing hockey with them in the winter as well and we always love our ping pong and trampoline.0 -
Double post.....sorry0
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Congrats!!! 77 pounds lost.....I bet you feel so much better. I think exercise really is the key to being healthy. Not meaning that diet isn't important too butt if you don't exercise, I think it makes it so much harder to see results. I have been overweight since I had my son at age 21. I'm 43 now. I came 30 pounds within my goal one time and that was it....I just kept going up and up after that. At least I know it is possible to lose big after 40. This give me hope!! Thank you for your post :happy:0
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I'm still trying to lose so I walk 45-60 minutes every morning and take a step class or swim later in the day.0
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