Do you feel overwhelmed by the idea of getting into shape, or making fitness a larger priority in your life? I’ve been there. I’ve had four babies (now ages 23, 21, 12, and 9); during the months following their birth, my life was about nursing my new baby and catering to his/her needs. The love and devotion to my child caused me to lose sight of taking care of myself. Eventually, I realized that having the energy to be a good Mom and Wife was dependent on making fitness a priority. It has also been very important to me to model a healthy and active lifestyle for my children.

1. Schedule it. I swim on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday morning; and run on Tuesday and Friday. Depending on my kids schedules, I try to get out for a longer run on Saturday or Sunday. There have been times in my life that it’s seemed like a chore and I’ve dreaded my workouts, but I honestly look forward that time designated for myself each day. I feel the most incredible sense of accomplishment and wellness when I work out. It’s a wonderful thing.  If you schedule time for yourself to work out, you’re much more likely to make it a regular part of your life.
2. Start Slowly. If you’ve been sedentary, don’t expect to come out of lazyville being able to run a 5K. Just getting off the couch and moving is the first step. As your fitness improves, you’ll be able to get more aggressive in your efforts. After a while, your day won’t seem quite right if you don’t take time for fitness.  I highly recommend the 10K trainer by Zenlab if you’re interested in running. It’s an excellent program that eases you into running over a period of weeks. There’s no better way to see changes in your body and cardiovascular health than running.
3. Stick with it. It takes time to see and feel results. I always approach fitness as a lifestyle and not a means of getting thin or reaching a certain number on the scale. My goal is to be healthy; If I lose weight or drop a dress size, that’s the added bonus of being healthy.
4. Variety. I find that variety is important in not getting bored. I enjoy swimming and running, but also love to take in an occasional Zumba, Body Pump, and Yoga class. I love to lift weights a few days a week to keep my body strong and toned. All of this variety keeps me from getting bored and allows me to feel that I’m giving my body everything it needs to be strong and healthy.
5. Set goals. I find that I’m less likely to skip workouts when I set specific goals. For me, that’s to compete as a Masters swimmer in a swim meet with my daughters and to run a full marathon before I turn 45 next December. At one point, my goal was to run a 5K and to walk the track at the gym 4 days a week. The goals don’t have to be extraordinary, they just have to be something that you can shoot for. I always treat myself to a new gym outfit when I reach a goal; it’s a nice way to reward yourself for making a healthy lifestyle a priority.

What are your secrets to staying fit over forty? I’d love to hear them. Please comment below.