The biggest problem in any long term fitness goal isn’t, unless you’re a professional athlete, continuously reaching new goals and setting records. It’s actually just general maintenance. Not to make the wonders of the human body sound as primitive as keeping a room tidy, but the same principles do apply. Here’s some simple advice on keeping your mind and body neat and tidy without constantly exerting yourself.
Ask questions of yourself
As we get older we naturally, sadly, begin to lose muscle, bone density, and also find our skin getting thinner. This leads not only to what Healthline.com refer to as a “nutritional dilemma”, in that we need to start amending what we eat – but can also lead to confusion about how much we can consume without gaining weight. So, if your body has started to change, question it. Staying in shape in the long term is not only about working out – it’s also working out why things have changed.
Find the right balance
…and just as above, keep amending what you’re doing to maintain it. TinyBuddha.com recommends continuously trying new things – including foods – so that you’re never denying yourself the true experience of life. It can be frustrating, certainly, to find that we’re unable to eat what we like, as we age, or push ourselves to the same levels through exercise, but the peace of mind that comes with finding the right balance is far more rewarding over time.
Add resistance training and balance
If you’ve been a lifelong runner, or dedicated almost entirely to cardio, then you may not exactly fancy the idea of switching to the other side of the gym. And likewise, if you’re trying to get in shape it can be daunting to step over to the free weights section for the first time. As above though, as we age we lose muscle, so it’s something that does need your attention. But resistance training and balance work are so essential that they are core aspects of PT sessions, such as those involved in a fat camp from Prestige Bootcamp, while you’ll struggle to find a PT anywhere who doesn’t recommend them.
Push yourself, but not through the pain barrier
If working out is making you feel out of breath, getting your heart racing, and leaving you lathered in sweat – great. That’s what you’re aiming for, and it will help to sustain your cardiovascular health and stay trim around the waist. But if you’re picking up niggling injuries in the joints and muscles, even those that have troubled you before, don’t risk any permanent damage to your body. Recurring physical pain needs attention in the form of rest, amendment of your routine, or a professional eye.
If it’s not working, make a change
As an example, look at jogging. There are people who run for their entire lives, enjoy it, and stay fit and healthy without often diverging from their path. But it’s not for everyone. And neither is bodybuilding, swimming, cycling – all of it. Don’t get stuck on achieving a fitness goal that you’re not made for. If your body is saying no, then shouting it, then screaming it from all angles, switch up your routine until you find something enjoyable. Ultimately, if you enjoy it, you’ll never be working too hard again.
