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

I posted this on another topic but pretty much answers your question - plus some



I reached my goal about 8 weeks ago or so and keep losing weight; evidently not eating enough and haven't changed my exercise habits. Calories are set to around 1600 and I exercise about 5 days a week at home (no gym membership). At least 3 of those days I do a short strength training workout with two 5# and one 10# weight. It's a series of squats, presses, pushups and modified curl ups. It's called Metabata and it's fantastic! It lasts about 12 minutes with warm up and cool down. I follow it with 20-40 minutes of elliptical. I also walk for 30 minutes during my lunch break everyday, weather permitting.
My point here, is that the short Metabata workout has made such a HUGE difference. My arms, abs and chest look fantastic. Legs and *kitten* are coming along nicely as well. I'm 5'4" and last Saturday's weigh-in was 126.4 pounds (my goal was 130); I am going to turn 52 next month. I am very happy with my results of my training/exercise routine and (mostly) clean eating. You must do some strength training on a regular basis! The difference it makes is almost unbelievable! Good luck!drinker happy

The same things I did when I was under 40 I run 25 to 30 miles a week (or more if I'm training for something), do boot camp and / or lift weights 3 times a week, and yoga a couple times a week.

Other than that I just generally have an active lifestyle: hiking, biking, bouncing off walls.

50 here :flowerforyou: I do 30-60 minutes of cardio 4-5 days every week and weightlifting , I hit one bodypart and do between 16-20 sets , 4-5 exercises... I also eat clean , high protein..

Weight lifting: 4 or 5 times per week. Chest/triceps one day; back/biceps, one day; shoulders/deadlifts one day, lower body focus day (minus deadlifts that day). Try to get 45 min cardio each day. Vary it by elliptical, arc trainer, stepmill, summit climber and sometimes plain ol' treadmill (but that really gets boring). In the past three years I've effortlessly taken off 40 pounds that I put on after getting hit from behind in a car accident years ago. The weight crept on slowly due to less exercise and eating on the go (during commutes to work). Starting to train and learning appropriate lifting techniques, etc. has been huge. It is therapy for me and going to the gym is now the best place for me and I look forward to it every time. I wouldn't have said that ten years ago. I am soon to be 44. So far so good.

I do Crossfit 3-4 x per week. Additionally, three days per week I lift and practice core work/gymnastic skills for 45-90 minutes. Once per week I hike or trail run for about an hour and sometimes I run a mile on the treadmill after I lift. I do yoga class 1-2 x per week for an hour. I attend a two-hour olympic lifting practice once per week with a coach. Now that it's going to be winter in Montana, I won't have as much stuff to do outside, so I'll probably start swimming in the pool once or twice per week instead of the hiking. I'm kind of an exercise addict. I just love it! I will probably also do some cross-country skiing this winter.

When I was going to turn 39, I weighed 235 and was really struggling with binge eating disorder. I decided I wasn't going to carry all that crud into my 40s and decided to get fit. Now exercise is a positive outlet and I love doing it. I am in better shape now at my current weight than I was in my 20s and 30 pounds lighter.

I have done a couple of Crossfit competitions since I started about 11 months ago. I placed 2nd in my division in both. I have my first powerlifting competition in November. I love my 40s!

Hi - I'm 48 - I do cardio - 30 - 40 minutes, 6 times a week, and I lift weights 3 times a week.

I have a home gym - for cardio I rotate between my treadmill, elliptical, and recumbent seat bike.

I would say the weights definitely keep my weight in check - I've been in maintenance for almost a year.

"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.

That's what I thought!

Typically I do 3 x Body Balance classes (mix of Tai Chi/Pilates/Yoga) 1 Body Pump (weights) class, 1 Body Attack (aerobics) 2 x Circuits Classes. I have been known to throw in extras (e.g. Spin) when in the mood

I'm 40 (41 in 6 weeks) & I started on my journey in November 2012, shortly after I turned 39.

I alternate between:

Day 1: Upper Body Routine - 105 minutes

Day 2: 90 minutes Walking

Day 3: Lower Body Routine - 85 minutes

Day 4: 90 minutes Walking

Day 5: Cardio Blast Routine - 90 minutes

Day 6: 90 minutes Walking

Day 7: starts the routine over again....

Upper Body is a combination of 30 minutes cardio & upper body weight work

Lower Body is a combination of 30 minutes cardio & lower body weight work

Cardio Blast is pretty much self explanatory

Walking is usually on variable terains & gradients, at an average pace of 3.25mph

I occasionally go swimming as well, but I only do 30 minutes breast stroke.

I am a member of a local county council run gym, it is a great investment.

xXx

Run 5k daily ( 80% of max heart rate), strength train 3-4 times a week, some yoga I just started, 20 minutes on the bike 5-6 times a week.

I'm 43. Been doing regular hiking/running/hills every week for the past 18 months. Most weeks will cover around 50 miles distance.

I don't do it for exercise, I do it because I love it but it is very hard juggling work, family and recreation.

44 years old. I workout 5-7 times a week. I do workouts on YouTube--I suggest Jessica Smith TV and Kiera LaShae (both dance based workouts) and Yoga by Adrienne. I also ride my bike and run/walk.

congrats....great info...ty

I think the trick is to do stuff you actually enjoy.

-3 weights sessions a week. I will do this without fail whether I get to the gym or do bodyweight stuff at home (just make sure the moves you do are not easy ones you can do for dozens of reps).
-Multiple sports/activities: currently it's a combination of 5-6 hours of tai chi, 2-4 hours of tennis, 1-2 hours of dodgeball.

Sports is my entertainment and social life. Some people sit when they chat, I chase balls like a dog in between chatting.

On average I do 5 days a week strenght training at home with free weights (around 30 minutes, not counting stretch & warm up). No cardio in general, I do change workouts quite often when I feel I am losing motivation and trying to incorporate HIIT knstead of steady cardio.

Roadbike for around 2x 45min 3 days a week (commute)
Suspension training + other bodyweight exercises for around an hour 3 times a week.
Occasional longer bike ride at the weekend.
58 years old