Health & Wellness

How To Stay Fit And Healthy After 40: 6 Essential Tips

June 26, 2023Heather

Let’s talk about how to stay fit and healthy after 40…

I’m someone who has always been in pretty decent “shape”. I played sports as a kid and into college, and I’ve always has at least a casual relationship with working out. But as I’ve gotten older, things have changed. Fitness, health, wellness; whatever you want to call it, isn’t the same as when I was a youngin. I don’t see working out, eating well, and generally taking care of myself as a means to looking a certain way, but as a means to feeling a certain way. I want to feel strong and healthy not just now at 43, but also like I’m laying the groundwork to be strong and healthy at 83. This shift in mindset has led me to curate some tips for fitness and health, and of course I’m sharing them with you…

Embrace The Joy Of Movement

If exercise feels like a chore you just haven’t found the right activity yet! After 40 it’s time to move past the “I have to workout” mindset and find something you truly enjoy. Dancing, hiking, swimming, even rollerskating; look beyond the four walls of your gym! Unless you enjoy the gym, then keep on keeping on. Just regularly move your body in a way that brings you joy. By making exercise fun you’re more likely to stick with it and reap its benefits.

Strength Training Is Your New BFF

As we age we naturally lose muscle mass, to counteract that loss do some strength training! Lifting weights and/or doing body weight exercises can help build and maintain muscle, keeping you strong and functional. And for added bonus, being strong just feels bad ass.

Prioritize Sleep

I know you’ve heard it a million times, but sleep the key to everything, especially for those of us over 40! We should be getting 7-9 hours of sleep a night, so figure it out. No electronics, no caffeine, no tv, eye mask, melatonin; whatever you need to do to get your beauty sleep, do it. I’ve struggled with sleep for years and the only thing that has truly helped is Hatch’s Restore Personalized Sleep and Sunrise Alarm. No amount of working out, nutrition, or meditation will come even close to making up for crappy sleep.

Fuel Your Body

Gone are the days when when I could eat whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted and still feel like a million bucks! I have to be a little more discerning about what I feed my body or I’ll be dealing with heartburn, IBS, blood sugar spikes, constipation, and general feelings of sluggishness. Fruits and veggies, lean proteins, healthy fats, and grains that won’t upset my tummy; I need to be a lot more intentional with my meals…or myself and everyone around me will pay the price.

Stress Less, Laugh More

Easier said than done, right? Listen, I know life can be a giant ass-ache, but we need to find ways to enjoy the ride. Find activities that help you relax and unwind, surround yourself with people who lift you up, and curate your social medias feeds so that you feel better after scrolling, not worse. Speaking of, you can follow us on Instagram and we promise to never be a bummer.

Stay Socially Active

I say this as someone who can too easily slip into hermit mode, you gotta make an effort to in your social life. Friendship doesn’t end when you hit 40! You may not want to do the same things you did in your younger days, but you need to nurture your relationships and make new connections. Plan outings, join groups, volunteer; hell even just ask someone “want to grab a bite to eat?”. Having a positive community can boost your mood, keep you engaged, your mind sharp, and just enrich your day to day life.

For me staying fit and healthy after 40 isn’t about being a certain size or looking a certain way, it means taking care my body and mind so that they stay strong and sound. For me it’s all about making sure I’m able to handle the next thirty plus years as easily as possible; and that’s the ultimate motivator.

Ok, now I need to know, what are your tips for staying fit and healthy – I need all the help I can get!