I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling that in my fifties I am now stronger and fitter than I have ever been. That’s not to say I never used to exercise – I did, but it was at the gym or running. As I got into my mid 40s I began to realise that pounding it out on the treadmill or cross trainer just wasn’t for me. I was bored and actually wasn’t really seeing any change in my health and fitness despite the hours at the gym.
A New Direction In Life
I took up Pilates and suddenly the ‘penny dropped’. This was considered, thoughtful exercise that worked my mind and my body. I saw results and got to understand my body better.
At a ‘burnout type crossroads’ in my life I decided to leave my life in fashion and train to become a Pilates instructor, encouraged by randomly meeting someone on a holiday in Turkey who convinced me I really wasn’t too old to change career.
Age Is No Barrier
Daily, I am lucky enough to meet inspiring men and women who, like me, don’t believe that because we are the other side of 45 we should ‘give up’ and allow ourselves to age physically and mentally. So, if you have always exercised… continue to do so. BUT even if you have never really exercised you can ‘catch up’. Research by the National Cancer Institute has shown that people starting to exercise in midlife have the same protection against illness and disease as those who have always exercised.
5 Motivating Reasons Why We Need To Exercise:
Improve your mental health
Exercise produces endorphins (the ‘feel good’ hormone), which acts as a stress reliever. There is a lower incidence of depression amongst the physically fit and, not only that, but exercise can help you sleep better too.
Prevent illness
Regular exercise improves our overall immune function. Physically active men and women lower their risk of developing cardiovascular illness by 61% and 56% are less likely to die from cardiovascular disease.
Help your body look 30 years younger
Exercise doesn’t just make you look younger but may actually turn off the aging process in your chromosomes. A study of people in their 70s who exercised showed that they had the cardiovascular health and muscles of people 30 years younger.
Boost your brain
Exercising, even easy exercise like walking regularly, can boost memory function. Aerobically fit older brains think like young brains.
Strengthen your bones
As we age our bone density decreases (actually it starts in our 30s) which increases the risk of osteoporosis, falls and fractures. Strength training and weight bearing exercises increase bone density helping you stay fit and active for longer.
See you in class!
Take a look at our online classes here https://www.spacefitnessandwellbeing.co.uk/book-online-1
Comments