When I was a young adult, say in my 20s and 30s, I didn’t know anyone in their 50s who had fitness goals. Maybe they just didn’t talk to me about it, but I wasn’t seeing people that age exercise, either. Maybe I was unaware. Now, at that (choke) venerable age, I still don’t know very many people my age who exercise regularly. I wonder if they really haven’t thought much about it or are overwhelmed by the idea. Noticing the general apathy about it makes me periodically analyze why I exercise. What makes me keep going?
I recognize that God puts different types of engines in each of us. Take my husband, for example. He was blessed with the lung capacity that makes him a running machine. The aerobic part of exercise is harder for me, but I still seem to have a natural tendency toward physical activity. I also like the feeling of running. If I sit around very much, I start to empathize with a shaken soda bottle.
That is probably an unfair advantage, but I actually still do have to make a decision to be consistent in my exercise routine. So, I guess, one reason that I methodically engage in exercise is to avoid an explosion, of sorts. 😉 Solid, definable reasons for doing things helps to reach goals, so here are the rest of my reasons for continuing to have fun with fitness after the grand age of 50:
- I feel better if I exercise. And it’s not just chasing away the crazies. I physically FEEL better.
- I am more productive in the rest of my responsibilities if I exercise. It seems to help me think more clearly. Maybe I get more blood flow to the brain, as well as everywhere else. The increased stamina makes physical chores both easier and more fun.
- It prevents injury. I know there is a risk of injury with any activity, too, but having some decent muscle tone adds to things like balance. If I sit around for the winter, then try to go out and garden, I am likely to pull something. I have been known to take off running across the yard when I thought no one was looking… that could get ugly if my legs were caught off guard.
- I can go more places with my husband and kids. I do know what it is like to have to stay home when everyone else goes out to have fun. True – sometimes, they drag me out to scary or isolated places. Sometimes, they leave me home so I won’t lose my mind watching the kids scamper after lizards on high rocks in rattle snake country. But, on the whole, they like to have me around and I like to be with them.
- My husband has a desk job and needs to spend some of his free time being active. If I also have fitness goals, it’s just more fun and we can encourage each other.
- I sleep better. Even on the night’s that I wake up once or twice with legs aching from an extra long run, I fall asleep quickly and sleep very soundly if I am getting good doses of exercise during the week.
- My husband encourages me to exercise. Not demands. Encourages. He wants me to be healthy and happy about myself, and he appreciates me not turning into a marshmallow.
- I can eat without having to worry excessively about calories. When a woman my age is sedentary, she hardly needs any calories. That means almost constantly feeling hungry, because I can never eat quite enough to fill up my stomach. On the other hand, when I’m active, I sometimes have trouble eating enough. I’d rather have that problem!
I don’t want to be selfish about wanting to exercise, though. I think selfishness is overrated. Taking care of myself needs to be in sync with what is good for my family and friends. So here are some other guidelines that I have to help me decide how much and when to exercise.
- I attempt to only gradually increase my efforts so that I don’t put myself out of commission, and thus people need to unnecessarily take care of me. Of course, if I accidentally hurt myself, they don’t mind and they do it cheerfully.
- I take into account what other events are going on, so that I don’t stress others out with my exhaustion.
- When just recovered from being sick, I make sure I can get through a day or two of normal chores before I start to exercise again.
- I am extra-careful about exercising when I am under emotional strain. I have seriously hurt myself in the past by letting exercise be too much of an expression. It’s better to talk and cry…
I am probably exercising more hours per week now, than I have my entire life. For one thing, I need to. I don’t have as many other things to do that keep me on my feet. But I also have the flexibility of schedule to do so. When I was pregnant (7 times), I was too sick or tired to do more than basic household chores. When the kids were very little, I judged it reasonable to have 20-30 minutes three or four days a week for an exercise routine. That seemingly minimal routine, though, made it easier to transition to more options at this time of life. I’m not saying someone couldn’t just start exercising when they are 50. Better late than never. However, I was thinking long term. I didn’t want to get to *ahem* 50 and be rickety, if I could help it.
So, if you are reading this as a younger person, be encouraged to set manageable exercise goals for long-term benefit. If you are already my age, be encouraged that, if done right, exercise will be fun. Most things worth doing do take dedication to get through some points of tedium and hard effort. Keeping up with fitness is no exception. However, having goals helps maintain perspective and reminds me why a regular fitness routine really does make all of life more fun!
