Getting Fit Over 40

I am 43 and used to be very active in my 20s. Then kids and life happened and I let myself go. I started working out again a little over a year ago. I started with body weight workouts (found on www.nerdfitness.com) and running. I then moved onto trail running and fell completely in love. It wasn't feasible for me to trail run from September to February, due to hunting season, but I will be starting up again this weekend. Right now I am doing Insanity and after that I will be doing trail running and Chalean Extreme (a strength training program). I don't let my age stop me or hold me back from anything. I even broke 3 vertebrae a year and a half ago and it doesn't stop me. I had to take it easy for several months, but now it is good. Our bodies are amazing and adaptable. If we push them they respond. I still feel 20 on the inside, so I workout like a 20 year old!

Good luck and remember to challenge yourself! You will be amazed by the results!

I am 47 and am 40 lbs. overweight. I used to be fairly active when I was younger. But with kids and work, life got in the way. Plus I was diagnosed with Lupus 17 years ago and ever since then I've been afraid to push myself thinking I might trigger a flare up of the disease. I realize this is irrational and exercise would actually be good for me, but I've been afraid of every bump and twinge. Even the burning in your lungs from that first workout scares the hypochondriac in me.

All that being said, I have decided to start training to run a 5K in 2014. I downloaded the 5K Runner app and did the first workout last night as "trial run". I'm going shopping tomorrow for good shoes, and then I'm officially starting next week. I am actually really excited about this and I'm looking forward to proving to myself that I can do it.

I'm 46 average joe. Was in relatively good shape in my younger years but something happened around my mid 30's. I've been struggling ever since ! I've lost the same 40 lbs I don't know how many times and each time it comes back with interest ! I'm also a type2 diabetic and have high blood pressure.
This time around I'm trying some different approaches and so far, it seems to be working. Lost 43lbs and still losing. I was so tired of being the big/fat guy everywhere I went and well summer was hell! Don't even mention swimming lol.

So basically I've been eating smaller meals more frequent, cardio LOTs of cardio and strength training. I feel so much better but still not where I want to be yet but getting week after week!

Feel free to add me as a friend if you wish.

I am 43 (will be 44 in September). And like others have already mentioned, work, kids and life just got the better of me. I've always had a fuller, curvier figure since I began having children. But it wasn't until I had a work physical last year and was labeled "overweight" that I really got serious about wanting to lose weight. I'm tired of always hiding because I'm uncomfortable with my weight and appearance.

Although I started out with weight-loss being my only goal, my focus quickly shifted. After losing several loved ones and watching many I know deal with health problems, my perspective changed (one of the few advantages of being a 40-something compared to being a 20-something). I did not want to someday be the grandma in the wheelchair or on oxygen. I did not want to take insulin shots or high blood pressure medicine. And so I quit obsessing about losing weight, and started focusing on health and feeling strong.

I want to be healthy and strong for the rest of my life. I want to take my last breath having never sat in a wheelchair or walked with a walker or taken bottles of pills and shots. And guess what? Now that I've taken the steps to live a healthy lifestyle, I've experienced a wonderful side effect--the weight (and more importantly inches) are starting to come off.

The biggest challenge for me at this stage of life is time. I am right in the middle of raising busy, school-age children, so time is precious. But I'm being creative and finding ways. I started out with C25K (with a buddy) and we now run 5Ks regularly. I am not a natural athlete, and this accomplishment is huge! There is nothing like the feeling of completing a race! I am starting to get into lifting weights. I've done Zumba also. I cannot stress enough how helpful having a fitness buddy is! None of my family or friends care about fitness, and I receive zero support from them. Having a friend to motivate and support me is priceless. Feel free to add me as a friend!

I'm 46. Like many above, I was active when younger, then kids, life (and beer) took over. I lost 40-50 lbs a couple of years ago, and was then diagnosed prediabetic. I've kept the weight off, and keep my blood sugar in check with diet and exercise.

Currently, I lift weights 3-4 times a week and try and get in a run at least once a week (or use the elliptical if I can't get outdoors).

I think, as an older person, the hardest thing is simply getting up and doing something. Finding time to schedule a workout can be tough in an already busy and set schedule. But, after a while it just becomes part of the new routine. Then there is the lack of resilience that I had when I was younger. Strains take longer to recover from! Joints ache. Everything is just so much harder!

I remember when I was about 20, one of my running buddies (who must have been in his 40's at the time) said he was running to recover from years of abuse to his body. I countered at the time that I was just trying to recover from last nights drinking. Now I'm in my 40's, I understand what he was saying!