Fitness Over 50: Understand your Subjective Age to Improve Your Health, Fat Loss, and Well-Being.
They say age ain’t nothing but a number.
OK, fine.
But which number?
When someone asks, “How old are you?” do they mean your chronological age – how many years you’ve been on the earth?
Do they mean your biological age, which is how old you are in terms of your physical health, aging cells, biomarkers, etc?
Or do they mean your subjective age or how old you feel in your mind – your self-image?
It’s interesting to think about. On the one hand, you can’t do anything to change your chronological age. You are 52 or 79 or whatever, and the number reliably changes once a year.
We can change our biological age based on our daily habits.
What is subjective age?
Subjective age refers to how old or young a person feels, regardless of their chronological age. It measures a person’s perception of their aging process, which can significantly impact their health and well-being.
Research has shown that people who feel younger than their actual age tend to have better physical and mental health outcomes and are more likely to engage in healthy behaviors like exercise and healthy eating. By using subjective age to our advantage, we can improve our overall health and fitness even as we age.
Subjective age isn’t good or bad. Your calendar age is what it is and is also OK if you feel 20 years younger.
The good news is we have some control here. We want to ensure that the daily choices we make in life are not making us biologically older than we are. This will happen when we eat poorly, drink too much, and move too little.
Feeling younger than our calendar age isn’t delusional or evidence of some quest searching for the fountain of youth. What it does show is that we have a positive outlook on how much life we have yet to live. My goal as a trainer is to help my clients live their lives to their fullest so that they can easily do the things they have to do, but more importantly, have the energy & strength to keep doing the things they love.
So we can’t reverse the aging clock. But we can slow it down with a practical and well-thought-out training and nutrition plan. When you have the strength, agility, and endurance of health and vigor, guess what? You have a higher quality of life, more independence, and a greater ability to do what you want.
We are here to help show you how at Be Fit South Shore. See us today and learn more about our Live Well Program.
The benefits of feeling younger than your chronological age.
Feeling younger than your chronological age can benefit your health and well-being. Studies have shown that people who feel younger tend to have better physical and mental health outcomes, including lower rates of chronic diseases, better cognitive function, and improved mood.
Additionally, feeling younger can motivate individuals to engage in healthy behaviors like regular exercise and a balanced diet, which can further improve their overall health and well-being. By focusing on subjective age, individuals can take control of their health and age gracefully, regardless of their chronological age.
Tips for improving your health and fitness as you age.
As you age, it’s important to prioritize your health and fitness to maintain a high quality of life. Here are some tips for improving your health and fitness as you age:
⊃ Incorporate regular exercise into your routine, such as resistance training, weight lifting, walking, swimming, and yoga.
⊃ Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and lean protein.
⊃ Get enough sleep to support your physical and mental health.
⊃ Manage stress through relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing.
⊃ Stay socially connected with friends and family to support your mental health.
⊃ Consider working with a personal trainer or fitness professional to create a customized exercise plan. Learn more about our Live Well Program at southshorefit.com/livewell
⊃ Talk to your healthcare provider about any health concerns or conditions you may have.
⊃ Stay up to date on recommended health screenings and check-ups.
⊃ Practice self-care activities like massage, acupuncture, or aromatherapy.
⊃ Stay positive and focus on the things you can control to maintain a healthy and happy lifestyle.
The importance of strength training.
As you age, it’s important to incorporate strength training into your fitness routine. Strength training will help maintain muscle mass and bone density. Both of which we lose as we age. Picking up weights and intentionally training will help you maintain your strength helping with both day-to-day tasks and the activities you love to do.
Cardiovascular exercise can improve heart health and overall endurance but doesn’t help much with muscle growth. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week, and consider working with a fitness professional to create a safe and effective exercise plan.
Remember, it’s never too late to start caring for your health and well-being. At Be Fit South Shore we will personalize a training and nutrition program based on your subjective age.
Having a personalized fitness plan based on your subjective age, as opposed to doing a preprogrammed fitness class, can help you achieve your fitness goals after 50.
We start by assessing your current fitness level and any health concerns you may have. Then, set realistic goals and create a plan, including strength training and cardiovascular exercise.
You can improve your health and well-being at any age with a personalized fitness plan.
