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

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Replies

  • ChrisHoffman72
    ChrisHoffman72 Posts: 708 Member
    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
    Sharon_C Posts: 2,132 Member
    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
    SnuggleSmacks Posts: 3,731 Member
    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
    TXrattlesnake Posts: 8
    Sex mostly. Sometimes my wife is a participant too.
  • Maryam2014mfp
    Maryam2014mfp Posts: 174
    Bump
  • ErniesMom863
    ErniesMom863 Posts: 36 Member
    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
    FitnSassy Posts: 263 Member
    bump
  • EvelynR1967
    EvelynR1967 Posts: 78 Member
    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
    michellekicks Posts: 3,624 Member
    I'm in love with all the amazing over 40s here :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: :flowerforyou:
  • jyogit
    jyogit Posts: 280 Member
    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
    Springfield1970 Posts: 1,945 Member
    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
    Springfield1970 Posts: 1,945 Member
    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
    valissa Posts: 15
    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
    JenGranzow Posts: 116 Member
    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
    onelovejenn Posts: 49
    "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
    Godan2b Posts: 57 Member
    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
    HerbertNenenger Posts: 453 Member
    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
    98bikinisuitedlbs Posts: 416 Member
    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
    StillwaterLady Posts: 12 Member
    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
    jasati Posts: 18 Member
    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
    jasati Posts: 18 Member
    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
    knitapeace Posts: 1,013 Member
    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
    nellyett Posts: 436 Member
    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
    MelsAuntie Posts: 2,833 Member
    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
    roanokejoe49 Posts: 820 Member
    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
    SerendipitySkye Posts: 202 Member
    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
    cowbellsandcoffee Posts: 2,975 Member
    I ride and race.
  • hbgirl85
    hbgirl85 Posts: 26
    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
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
    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
    I_need_moar_musclez Posts: 499 Member
    Weights 4 times a week, cardio twice. Got to actually GET in shape first befire I think about staying there!

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