What to do to Stay Healthy & Fit When Over 40
There comes a point in many men’s lives when they realize that their favorite pair of pants are starting to get uncomfortably tight at the waist, their eyesight isn’t as sharp as it used to be, and they can’t walk a flight of stairs without huffing and puffing.
Aging isn’t always pretty. However, you can make it work for you by prioritizing your health and choosing to age while staying fit. With a good health plan and enough perseverance, you’ll make 40 look like 30! Here are a few things you should do to remain healthy as you age:
Focus on fitness
As you age, your metabolism slows down and you are forced to loosen your belt as you put on pounds. Your heart isn’t as strong as it used to be, and you probably can’t drop and churn out those pushups in the same way you could back in college. That is if you don’t exercise.
Exercise is increasingly important as the years go by as obesity and a heart in bad condition take their toll. When you regularly get your heart pumping and your muscles moving, you can control your blood lipids and reduce your chances of diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and plenty of other health issues.
Proper fitness can add years to your life while ensuring that you spend them looking great. Make a point of setting apart time during your week to go for a walk, hit the gym, or engage in some form of exercise that will get you sweating.
Take a look at my home workout guide to see what can be done without a huge investment, or time spent at the gym.
Put fish on your plate
Fish is a popular food choice for lots of fitness-oriented individuals. They are great superfoods with lots of protein and healthy fats and not too many calories. You’ll also be getting plenty of vitamins and omega-3.
This is important because as you grow older, your muscles start reducing. With regular weight training and a good diet, however, you can retain your muscle. Try making tuna and salmon a part of your diet. Not only are they absolutely delicious – they’re good for your muscles, too!
Live life stress-free
Several middle-aged men report experiencing higher levels of stress as they age. Oftentimes, the reason behind it all is too much time spent at work and too less time on other things that they love. When you’re stressed, you’re a lot more prone to neglect taking care of your body. Guess what too little exercise and too many burgers will do to you? Increase your risk of health issues, of course.
It’s important for you to live life at lower levels of stress. This is where fitness for men over 40 becomes increasingly important. Not only will it increase your quality of life mentally – it’ll help you physically as well. If you’re spending too much time at work, make a point of leaving and heading home earlier, choosing instead to spend time with loved ones. Make use of the weekend as well – it isn’t time to catch up on those work emails!
Fight prostate cancer with tomatoes
One of the unfortunate parts of aging is the need for regular medical examinations. For men, that means getting prostate exams. It isn’t a fun experience, but it’s crucial for staying healthy.
A great way to reduce your risk of prostate cancer is ensuring you get a healthy dose of tomatoes. These fruits are wonderful for fighting prostate cancer, thanks to their concentration of lycopene. Make it a regular part of your diet and enjoy the knowledge that you aren’t as much at risk for this condition.
Improve your eyesight with veggies
There’s a reason why a lot of middle-aged adults have to get reading glasses. Their vision is starting to deteriorate. If you aren’t enthusiastic about the idea of glasses, it would be wise to take measures to keep your eyesight sharp. Reduce your risk of macular degeneration, glaucomas, cataracts, and even diabetic retinopathy by eating lots of vegetables.
Vegetables are full of nutrients that your body needs: antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Research indicates that they’re wonderful for reducing your risk of suffering from age-related eye problems. When you make broccoli, spinach, and such foods a part of your diet, you’ll be improving your eyesight along with the rest of your body.
Snack on some almonds
It’s important for you to place a higher priority on heart health as you age. Maintaining a healthy cholesterol level and a strong heart can make quite a difference in your tendency to develop heart disease.
This is exactly why you should eat almonds. Almonds, along with omega-3 from fish, are great for reducing your cholesterol levels and contributing to heart health. All you’ve got to do is pack a small snack of almonds each day, and occasionally have salmon for dinner. This will do wonders for your cholesterol and your heart.
As you grow older and wiser, make sure you place a priority on your health. Don’t simply accept that you are aging – work against it! With a healthy mind and body, you can live with the same or even a better quality of life compared to before. Exercise, eat right, and get your checkups – make 40 years work for you.
About the Author
FitDadChris
Jack of all trades... master of none! Father of 3 awesome boys, husband to 1 amazing wife! Obstacle racer, procrastinator, computer nerd, trying not to follow the herd!