Practical Fitness over 40

When I think of my personal fitness goals, I want the result of my efforts to be a comprehensive and healthy fitness level. I don't just want muscle tone without aerobic fitness. I don’t just want muscle strength without healthy body fat levels. Total fitness should be comprehensive and should be a balance of the following: Read Total Fitness over 40


A Practical Way to Measure Fitness

For those of us over forty, our health and fitness goals come with different priorities than they did in our twenties. Some of us need to lose a few pounds. Most of us could use more energy. Diet, exercise, nutrition, and proper rest are all a part achieving practical fitness. Since this is an article about practical fitness, I want to keep things simple. I honestly believe that the best tool you can use to measure your fitness level is the mirror. Why?

  1. Everyone has one.
  2. You are in front of one every day.
  3. Mirrors do not lie!

That's right. Mirrors do not lie. Take a few moments to examine your body in front of a full length mirror. Try to do so from an objective mind set. Take note of different aspects:

  1. Overall muscle tone versus body fat content.
  2. What is the shape of your upper torso? Straight, Tapered, or Pear?
  3. Do you have love handles?
  4. Note at least one good thing and one bad thing.

Now, make some decisions about what you want to change. Write down what you like about your body and what needs work. While looking into the mirror, grade yourself on your fitness level, based upon your age. On a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being a very low fitness level, 5 being excellent fitness level. Where are you? Where do you want to be? Say it out loud (this can be very powerful). Say something like:

"I am a 2 and I want to be a 4!"

Write down your goals and a timeframe for meeting them. Come up with a plan that includes healthy changes to your diet and your exercise routine. Most of the time, the changes do not have to be drastic. Simply find a way to make some reasonable adjustments and you will be on your way!


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