Are you ready for this? You’re over age 40, or “middle-aged” as some might call it (whatever that means!). If that fact is distressing, we have a suggestion. Improve your physical fitness. It’s a great way to look and feel younger, not to mention a great way to avoid heart disease and other illnesses.

Your 2019 New Year’s Resolution

But getting fit after 40 means taking a more deliberate approach to your fitness. So this New Year’s, why not make a resolution to put together a fitness plan.

Before you do any added physical activities, you should take some precautions. First, let your doctor know about your plans. Second, listen to your body. If you feel any sort of pain or discomfort, stop what you’re doing to avoid injuries.

A Game Plan for How to Start Getting Fit After 40

The first step in the plan is to simply get more active. Any extra activity in your day is helpful whether you want to lift weights or head out for a walk with your friends. This can be simply climbing an extra flight of stairs or parking further from the mall. That said, here are a few other pointers for your fitness plan.

1. Start Slowly - It’s the new year, you‘re inspired to ‘get fit’. But don't let your enthusiasm get the better of you. If you want to do some strength training, start with weights that are easy to lift. If you’re going to jog, don’t run until you’re breathing so hard, you can’t speak. Hiring a personal trainer is a great way to hit your goals while working at a pace that’s good for your body.
   
   
2. Think About Your Flexibility - As you age, you lose flexibility in your muscles and joints. That increases your chances of injury and makes it harder to get active. Consider making yoga, foam rolling and stretches part of your fitness plan.
   
   
3. Strength Training is Crucial - We’re not talking about becoming muscle-bound. As you age, you lose muscle mass. Without working on your muscles, they can atrophy. Strength training also makes your bones stronger, reduces joint pain and can help you lose weight to improve the appearance of your cellulite. Consider high-intensity interval training (HIIT) which burns more calories and helps you build muscles.
   
   
4. Work Your Core - It is literally at the core of everything you do physically. From getting out of bed to walking around the block, a strong core makes them all easier to do. And strengthening your core is as easy as adding planks to your activities a few times a week.
   
   
5. Be Good to Yourself - Setting unrealistic goals can make it more difficult to stick with your plan. Set achievable targets and do everything you can to encourage yourself. Maybe you can find inspiration from like-minded groups on social media. Using anti-cellulite leggings as you workout can help you look and feel better from the moment you start getting fit.

If you liked this post, check out our last article on dealing with your emotional reactions to cellulite.