Exercising during our middle years

[LaTonya]

Has middle age affected how you exercise? In what ways? Did you discover new interests as you approached 50 or older? Did you have any health challenges that affected your exercise habits and goals?

[WendyB]

No it has not effected me. I exercise more now than I did in my 40's.

Sure my Interests have changed. Excpet for when it comes to my daily walk. I love to Walk!
But I always try new things to keep my interest.

I have had Injury challenges but over came them and went right back to exercise

[LaTonya]

Do you mind sharing a few details? What did you do in your 40s? What do you do now?

When you say no change does that mean your speed or strength nor endurance have not changed? If you're exercising more, that's a change isn't? You're more interested or have more time?

[WendyB]

In my 40 I went to the gym and did cardio for 30 minutes and weights 3 days a week

Now I swim and walk daily as well as do weight 3 times a week. But I walk 3-4 miles a day.

I also have many differnet DVDS I use when the weather is bad.

your speed or strength nor endurance have not changed---- Yes thay have changed. I walk a lot faster now and lift heavier weights

You're more interested or have more time?----------I would say both

[vaskorox]

I am 55 and during the 13 years I was married, he slowly sabataged my previous exercise and eating habits.  during the divorce everything seemed to collapse.  I always was active and mentally felt 27

Reality hit with a laundry list of ailments.  One of the worst was that when I walked or stood for 12 min both my legs went numb.  It was gradual, and no one seemed to get it figured it out.  Needless to say, I did not walk.  Medical help with a moderate amount of willingness, I got started walking.  My 78 year old mother got me a ZIP and that seemed to do the trick.  Walking helps and for what ever reasons this thing keeps me motivated.  I had lost some weight previously and so this was a great addition.

Now I am realistically getting back into shape makes me feel better and I can face the world with a smile.

[WendyB]

@vaskoroxThats awesome! Congrats!

[LaTonya]

Divorce. Been there, done that. Life does go on and happy for you.

When I got my first ped, I didn't think it would impact my activity or motivation, but I'm a sucker for group participation and my company launched a wellness program. So glad I jumped on board. Seeing a history of my walking did motivate me to do more and the more I did, the better I felt. I'm not a super walker but I love what I do.

This year, my company switched to the Fitbit Zip. I like the size and portability. Easy to wear with dresses and skirts.

2013 was stressful for me: a few health issues arose (and resolved) and my daughter became pregregnant. She's young so I worried and ate and worried and stressed myself into 15 pounds. My grandbaby is amazing and my daughter is good and I'm back on track.

Again, congratulations on your new life.

[PB_Addict]

I'm 43 (yes I consider that middle aged). In my 30s, my body could take a lot more abuse. I ran marathons, and would run about 30 miles a week when in training. When not training, a typical trip to the gym for me would be a 2-mile run on the treadmill and then a 60-minute kickboxing class, then walking a mile back to my apartment. I just don't have that kind of stamina any more, and my soft tissue, especially my knees, just can't take it. Now I do a lot more on the eliptical machine, more walking, and more yoga.

[LaTonya]

PB,

I hear you. There was a marked difference in my body by my early 40s, and like you I had been quite active in my younger years. By 43, I had a child in her 20s. At 45 I had knee surgery and had developed arthiritis. Not complaining but simply acknowledging my body was different.

I, too, now enjoy yoga, more pool exercise, nut of walking and recently took up boxing. I'm premenopausal and we won't even go there. lol

[debrakgoogins]

Absolutely, I feel a change.  My body doesn't recover like it use to.  I was always thin and athletic right through the birth of both of my boys.  I played hockey.  I was a martial artist.  Then, one small slip on the stairs changed everything for me.  I slipped walking down my basement stairs and landed on my tailbone.  I broke the tailbone, dislocated my sacral joint and tore all of the muscles in my pelvic floor.  That led to 5 surgeries and many unwanted pounds.  Now that I am as healed as I can be, I am working my way back to being in shape and as active as I can be.  I started with stretching, yoga and walking. I added water aerobics and water jogging.  I slowly added FitnessBlender.  My sacral joint still dislocates so I just listen to my body and do what I can.  It frustrates me to know what I was capable of just a few years ago compared to now.   

[gerrymcd]

As I've gotten older I've switched to cycling from running.  The latter was starting to cause pain in my knees and generally felt like it was doing more damage than good.  Otherwise, I'm now a lot more 'careful' than I used to be.  I'm aware that I don't heal as quickly, so lifting weights with poor form - even light weights - can cause an injury that takes weeks or months to heal.  I'm also a lot more careful about making sure I warmup properly before I stretch or touch a weight.  I also spend time cooling down and stretching at the end of a workout, something I never bothered doing when I was younger.