I’ve just read a post on Twitter about decline in fitness from 45 onwards and feel moved to write a blog post about what I think. I’m not a trainer or a scientist (although I do have a science degree and so have healthy mistrust of science articles.) but I feel headlines like this are irresponsible because they discourage individuals from getting off their backsides and dealing with their weight problems. The article cited was not particularly coherent but did make a case at the end for over 45’s continuing to excercise. However damage done by headline.
I have two questions for the fitness industry:
1. What is fitness and why is a decline post 45 a problem for most of the population?
2.What type of excercise should I do- being post 45?
Several trainers have asked me how fit I am over the past 5 years. How do I answer that question? Are they looking for a relative response- can I run upstairs or for the bus? A subjective response- what is my opinion about myself, on a scale of 1-10 (I always get this wrong!) or an objective response -resting heart rates etc which a good trainer can measure anyway. Am I fit enough to live a full and active life is a better question, how would I like to improve…
By the time we reach 45 most of us are all too aware that our faculties are not what they were; I need glasses to read, my skin has lost its bounce and my hair is going grey. To read that fitness declines is hardly surprising and no great intellectual feat. I know I can’t race a fit 25-year-old and win, however I also know that I can out run some unfit 10 year olds , so this is all relative. Uplift and encouragement is what I need and what the general public needs to hear too. You can be over 45, fit, healthy and full of life.
The last question about type of excercise is not mentioned in the article but sits quietly as a niggle in the back of my head. Everywhere I look I see post 50 excercise programs. Neat women in velour shuffling to music or posing on Pilates mats. Should I slow down? I just can’t see myself doing this, at least for a few years.
Fortunately when I look around me I see different models; kickboxers at the gym, friends who Spin and do circuits and many, many online kettlebell friends who are over 45 and really swinging some weight- even my sister has started show jumping! Each and every one an inspiration. The media should be out there pushing a can do message.
Over 45- get out there and excercise- do what you enjoy and you’ll have a longer, healthier and happier old age.
No comments:
Post a Comment