Forty Something and Struggling To Stay FIT

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If you are forty something and struggling to stay fit, I know exactly how you feel.

That was me. Rewind 3 years and I can remember the moment I caught sight of my own reflection. A non-too flattering side view which revealed what I knew had been creeping up over the previous few years.
Stand me on some scales and I would have fallen within the ‘normal’ range. See me in a t-shirt and most would have described me as slim. Day to day, week to week everything is the same. I did wonder if I was I slowing down or are the kids just getting fitter & faster? The middle aged spread (and the changes in fitness that go with it) are slow, sneaky and insidious.

My hope is that this blog will encourage you to reflect, review what is under your control in regard to health and fitness and maybe even inspire you to make some better lifestyle decisions.

THERE ARE SOME WHO BELIEVE THAT HEALTH IS A DECISION.

Those fitness fanatics who enjoy good health would probably concur. Those affected by ill health would probably be justified in finding this view a touch glib and even a bit annoying. For me however, my current health and fitness was literally a moment in my life when I decided to make a change.

Over the next few blogs I’d like to share the changes I made to my eating, lifestyle and attitude. To start with, let us reflect back on some of the behaviours that led me to where I was. A 45 year old dad of 2 who had over the previous years, gradually had to loosen his belt a notch or 2. See if any of these scenarios ring true for you.

(1) A constant feeling of a lack of time. Too much to do. Not enough hours in the day.

(2) Feeling tired and low in energy. Late nights and early mornings. Work deadlines, kids clubs, DIY, all demands competing for your time.

(3) Becoming increasingly aware that red wine seemed the best way to unwind. Maybe fine at the weekend, but was it something that was creeping into some or all of the week days?

(4) Keeping fit…..I’m always busy….always on the go, I never stop. I’ve got a gym membership. Does that count?

(5) Days are increasingly static. Computers, cars, social media. Even supermarket shopping is delivered to the door these days. If I do nip to the shops, I usually do so in the car because it’s quicker.

(6) I used to cook from scratch every night. The children are so picky and I really struggle to get them to eat veg. It’s easier these days to cook quick stuff for them and we tend to eat the same. We don’t have that much fresh food in the fridge.

Sleep, stress, alcohol, exercise, activity and exercise, they are all lifestyle choices that have a compounding effect on our health. There are of course health conditions which we have no control over. Many if not most however are either caused by or strongly affected by the choices we make hundreds of times every single day.

What choices are you making?

Are you prioritising time for you and your health?

Do you think your choices have any part to play if you are struggling to stay fit at forty something?

“IT TAKES 4 WEEKS TO NOTICE YOUR BODY CHANGING, 8 WEEKS FOR YOUR FRIENDS AND 12 WEEKS FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD. COMMIT TO BE FIT. YOU CAN DO IT.” Mike Butterworth.

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