The key to aging well is developing healthy habits, such as regular exercise and a balanced diet. A healthy lifestyle should be pursued throughout one’s life, but after the age of 50, and particularly for males, it becomes even more crucial to uphold healthy behaviors to keep one’s body robust and active for longer.
Try implementing these seven behaviors for guys to keep active after 50 if you don’t know where to begin.
3 Ways To Stay Fit After 50 For Men
Don’t Skip Routine Screenings
The first piece of advice is to get regular screenings if you want to stay healthy. The adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of treatment” really does need to be repeated. Everyone has probably heard that before, but it’s actually true. The simplest healthy habit to establish is getting a yearly physical because you just need to do it once. If you feel good, you could be tempted to skip your annual checkup, but regular screenings by your doctor could identify a health concern before it materializes into a problem.
When we discover problems early, we frequently have a chance to remedy them before they grow out of hand or become overly difficult or expensive. For males, routine screenings are crucial, especially as they approach the age of 50. Always make sure to discuss the proper routine screenings for you with your doctor. For instance, no one really wants to talk about colonoscopies, despite the fact that adults over 50 are highly advised to have them. Routine tests are crucial if we want to age properly, but they may not be a terrible idea if you have a family history of the disease or another circumstance.
Get That Heart Rate Up
Getting the right quantity of aerobic exercise is another factor to consider when trying to stay fit after 50. The weekly recommended amount of 150 minutes, which seems like a lot, is actually only 2.5 hours. This translates into 22 minutes of aerobic exercise every day, on average.
Basically anything that raises your heart rate a little bit above average qualifies. One option is walking. Jogging is one option. One option is yard work. It can be cleaning the house. There are many different types of aerobic activities.
Any heart rate above 100 beats per minute is generally considered to be very favorable. On the other hand, since we do need to be concerned about our cortisol levels, excessive aerobic exercise might not be all that beneficial. The stress hormone is cortisol. As you perform your aerobic workout, consider that. A lot is fine as long as it is done at the proper amount of effort.
Use Your Muscles To Move Weight
It’s crucial to take care of the muscles that move weight as we age. Skeletal muscle is required to pick objects up. Our muscles get stronger the more we pick things up.
Additionally, the bones respond to the muscles pulling on them by growing stronger. Resistance training is extremely beneficial for people when they age 50.
Again, the right quantity is crucial. Similar to what we discussed with aerobic exercise, excessive weightlifting can be harmful. The central nervous system may experience significant stress as a result. The ideal amount is crucial.
But keep in mind, shift some weight. Body weight, dumbbells, kettlebells, and barbells are all options. I like to say that all you have to do to defy gravity is move weight. Before starting a new workout regimen, be sure to speak with your doctor. Stop exercising immediately and assess the pain if you feel any. You might need to adjust your routine to get rid of the ache.
Drink More Water
Increasing your water intake is another item to consider. It’s similar to the adage that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of treatment” when people talk about drinking more water. It’s quite significant.
We frequently mistake thirst for hunger when we actually need to drink. Water consumption is essential. It is feasible. Keep a cup of water or even a tea that you don’t think is diuretic next to you. You don’t believe it causes you to urinate excessively. Belief in your body Some folks might benefit from coffee. Everyone is unique, but make sure to drink enough of fluids, especially water. The body is hydrated by water, and like the Earth, which is 70% water, so is a large portion of our body.